Gaby
I hope you’ve toughened up your child over the summer, so they’re not too sensitive to temperature swings and damp weather. However, prolonged exposure to cold can weaken the body’s defenses, allowing various bacteria and viruses to take hold. It’s essential to protect your child from contact with anyone who is coughing or sneezing. Some people can easily carry respiratory illnesses and spread infections, putting your little one at risk of serious illness.
If a family member has a runny nose or cough, it’s best for them to keep their distance from your son or daughter. If contact is unavoidable, they should definitely wear a gauze mask.
But if your child does get sick, how should you care for them?
Keep the living space clean. Use a damp cloth to wipe surfaces, dust thoroughly, and ventilate the room frequently.
Dress your child warmly, but avoid overheating them, as this can raise their temperature. If your little one starts to sweat, change them into dry clothes quickly.
Sick children find it easier to breathe when they’re in an upright position, so hold them in your arms more often. Only give medications as prescribed. If they taste unpleasant, make them more palatable. Crush the tablet or powder and mix it with a small amount of sweetened water or syrup, then administer it with a spoon. Immediately follow it up with a generous amount of water or warm tea before they can taste the bitterness.
HOW TO ADMINISTER NASAL DROPS
Your child should take medications while sitting up. If they lie down, the medicine may stick to the walls of the esophagus and not work effectively.
If your little one has a stuffy nose, they may struggle to nurse or use a bottle. So, before feeding, gently clear their nose with a cotton swab, then apply the prescribed nasal drops. Warm the drops to 30-35 degrees Celsius (86-95 degrees Fahrenheit) and administer 1-2 drops in each nostril. When applying drops in the right nostril, tilt the child’s head to the right; for the left nostril, tilt it to the left. This position helps the medication stay in place and better moisturizes the nasal mucosa.
Be sure to sterilize the dropper and use it individually.
HOW TO APPLY MUSTARD PLASTERS
Children often find this procedure uncomfortable. You may need to remove the mustard plasters before they have a chance to take effect. To prevent this, take a piece of cotton fabric or gauze, soak it in warmed oil, and place the dry mustard plasters on it. This will soften their action, allowing your child to keep them on for 10-15 minutes or longer. Afterward, wrap your little one in a dry blanket or towel and dress them in a warm shirt or sweater.
COUGH COMPRESS
Rub about a teaspoon of honey on the chest (the area where the bronchi are located). Cover it with a raw cabbage leaf that has been warmed over steam or in hot water, and pat it down on both sides. Once the leaf is on the chest, secure it with a warm scarf in a crisscross fashion. This procedure can be done overnight or for 2-3 hours during a daytime nap.
