This is a sponsored post, all opinions are my own. #CoughingKiddos
I remember when I first started talking about having kids with my mom and she told me that the worst part of being a parent was dealing with sick kids. Not because it is gross or interrupts your schedule but because there are times that you, as a mom, just cannot figure out how to help your child or make them feel better. I did not really understand what she was saying until our first experience with Jude as a baby being sick. Then, I got it! It really is the worst thing about being a parent.
We are over 9 years into this parenting gig and while I certainly do not have all of the answers and tips for parents who have a sick kiddo I do have a few tips that have worked for us. I don’t know about you, but it seems like when our kids get sick it goes straight to their chest and becomes a cough. Miserable. That being said, throughout the years we have had a number of coughing kiddos and have found some great tips to soothing those coughs.
Tips For Soothing Coughing Kiddos
Snuggles and Rest
Okay, I know I said that the worst part of parenting is having a sick kid but most times that Teagan and Jude are sick also means we get snuggles and nap time with them. I kind of love that. One way we find that our kids coughs are soothed is by having them rest and snuggle. The more you move around the more your cough seems to be agitated. Enjoy those snuggles and take time to help your child rest.
Elevate Head When Sleeping
If your child is over 1 year old, arrange a few pillows under her back, shoulders and head so that she can sleep in a slightly upright position, allowing for easier breathing. Keep in mind that babies under 1 should not have pillows but you can add pillows under a crib mattress to elevate the area. Hopefully adding this extra elevation will help your child sleep better which will lead to more rest and recuperation.
Humidifier In Room
Here in Colorado it is super dry this time of the year. Humidifiers are a must have most days but especially on sick days. Waking up after a rough night of coughing can be torture on a dry throat but by simply adding a humidifier to the bedroom you can keep your child’s airways clear and moist by running a cool-mist humidifier all night. Make sure you “air” out the bedroom in the morning as the extra moisture can cause mold to grow.
Walks In The Cold
Coughing fits are not fun for anyone but especially hard for children. We have found that introducing cold air can help when a cough gets too rough for the kids. Waking up in the middle of the night with a coughing fit can be scary, we find that when this happens we can simply take the child outside in the cold air or stand in front of an open freezer and have the child breath. The cold air seems to help open up the airways and have them relax which helps the cough settle down. This is a fast acting solution that helps us get the coughing kiddo back to bed.
Lots of Fluids
Staying hydrated is especially important when your child is sick. Water helps the body fight illness and keeps airways moist and strong. We always keep a water bottle filled and ready for them to be drinking. Keep in mind that fluids isn’t just water. For a little treat we also offer Popsicles.
Bath Time
My kids are just like me. When I am feeling sick or run down a nice warm bath is the cure! Not only does a nice warm bath make achy muscles feel better but the extra steam from the warm water helps open up the airways and keep nasal passages moist. Sick days can be boring for active children. Adding a few baths to the routine can help by adding a few bath toys to the mix. This allows the child to have some play time that isn’t too active and breaks up the day a bit.
Children’s Delsym
When I go for medication for the kiddos I want to make sure they are getting the best. Children’s Delsym provides 12-Hour cough relief for the whole family ages 4+, including adults! I have to be honest, taking cough syrup makes me cringe, I have always hated it – ask my parents. So, when I first picked up some of the Children’s Delsym for Teagan I was so anxious that she would have the same reaction that I did as a child but guess what? There was no fuss and this cough medication WORKS plus it is available over the counter and can be found at Walmart! All about convenience on those sick days!
*use as directed
Why We Choose Children’s Delsym
When the coughing gets awful we know we need to do anything possible to get that kiddo to rest. Children’s Delsym is what we have found works best in those situations. This 12-hour cough medicine that lasts all day, or all night so kids can get the sleep they need when they are feeling under the weather. With just 1 active ingredient specifically to relieve cough, parents can rest assured their not giving unnecessary medication to their child. It is free from pain relievers, sulfites and alcohol and available in orange and grape flavors.
Like I said, I have never been able to take cough syrup easily but when I saw how much my kiddos liked the grape flavor Children’s Delsym I had to give it a try when I came down with a cough. Not only was it easy to take but it worked for me too! Children’s Delsym has become an essential in our medication cabinet.
Sick days can be rough but by adding these tips into the mix hopefully everyone will rest easier and healing faster. Make sure you add Children’s Delsym 12 hour cough relief to your sick day must haves this season when visiting Walmart. While I still agree that having sick kids is the worst part of parenting, adding Children’s Delsym to our medicine cabinet has made it a bit easier.
