Medicine cabinet must haves this cold and flu season!

Welcome back and thank you for stopping by! With kids returning to school, masks and all, exposure to germs and viruses are inevitable. You cannot prevent your child from getting sick and catching a cold. Getting sick is how we grow a strong immune system! Anyone who has sent a child to daycare or preschool knows that first year is basically one nonstop runny nose. It almost feels like your child is never completely well. COVID has piled on a thick layer of concern for everyone. COVID is a strain of coronavirus which also causes common cold symptoms in most cases. Knowing that at some point this cold and flu season your littles are likely to catch something, let’s talk about how you can prepare!

Always have the basics on hand. That fever will always happen at the most inconvenient time so keep these items in your medicine cabinet to be prepared:

1) Children’s acetaminophen (Tylenol): Strength and dose is different depending on the ages and weight of your children. If you have a baby in the house don’t forget to pick up the infant formula. Fever and pain reducer.

2) Children’s (or infant) Ibuprofen (Motrin or Advil): Fever and pain reducer.

3) Children’s Benadryl: Allergic reactions can come out of no where! This is a first aid must have especially with little ones who are trying new foods for the first time. Please consult a health care professional for dosing recommendations.

4) Honey: Mother Nature’s major contribution for caring for little ones and adults alike with cough and cold symptoms. IMPORTANT!!! ONLY FOR CHILDREN OVER AGE 12 MONTHS. Honey has been tested against other major cough syrup brands and has be found to be equally successful in reducing cough. Serve it up on a spoon or mix in warm water with lemon. You will thank me for this sweet remedy.

5) Multivitamin: Always a great idea especially for our picky eaters.

6) Fiber supplement: I swear by these fiber gummies for my kiddos. These will help keep kids regular to avoid tummy aches from constipation.

7) Nasal Saline Spray and bulb syringe or Nose Frida: When kiddos are congested they can have a difficult time taking a bottle or sleeping. Having these tools on hand will help in pinch to relieve nasal congestion in children too young to blow their nose.

I hope this list helps you get more prepared and feel ready to tackle this years cold and flu season! Happy Friday and have a great weekend!