Disclaimer :: Hyland’s 4 Kids* sponsored this post; however, FWMB’s very own Heidi used her own opinions and experiences to craft her suggestions for you.
Junky. That was the word the doctor used to describe my three-year-old son’s chest. Junky. I had never heard that word in relation to being sick, and it stuck in my head like kid fingerprints on my freshly cleaned windows. Because I’m a visual person, I started imagining what junky would look like, and I was reminded of those mucus medicine commercials where green blobs of grossness move into a sick person’s chest. Gross, right?
Luckily, I knew just what to do. The kiddo and I raced home, and I grabbed my “cold kit,” which is a bag of items I keep handy for when the dreaded cold hits our house. Things like tissues with lotion and Hyland’s 4 Kids Cold ‘n Cough are always stocked and ready to go. I fully recommend all moms keep a cold kit in their house as it cuts down on unnecessary shopping and ensures you have what you need when you need it.
What I Keep Stocked
- Saline and nasal suctioning tool. You might think you left the nasal suctioning thing back when you left the newborn stages, right? Most toddlers don’t know how to effectively and efficiently blow their noses. As moms, we get the privilege of diving in and manually pulling that gunk out. (Congratulations.)
- Powdered drink mix. I encourage (okay, I bribe) my kids to drink lots of water when they’re sick by mixing in some sugar-free drink mix with their water. Having a slightly sweet drink to sip encourages them to get enough fluids, and I don’t have to worry about dehydration. When their body is hydrated, it can heal itself!
- Hyland’s 4 Kids Cold ’n Cough. I was a little surprised when I reached the pharmacy the first time my toddler had a cold and all of the cold medicine brands were for ages six and older. I came across Hyland’s 4 Kids Cold ’n Cough, which claimed to be all natural and effective and safe enough for kiddos starting at the age of two. Natural is practically my middle name, so I eagerly took out my phone to look up the ingredients and fact check the label’s claims. Sure enough, the active ingredients consist of the fancy name for onions, herbs, and a flower, among other things. You can read the ingredients here if you want to see for yourself. They have a nighttime and daytime formula, which are conveniently sold together at Costco. We use (and love) both! (Tip: I follow the Hyland’s Facebook page and Instagram for some really great general mom content.)
- Extra toothbrushes. We like to replace toothbrushes after getting sick (especially if our kid’s throat hurts or the kid had strep), just in case it comes around again. It is also is a fun way to celebrate being healthy again. Kids get to choose a new character toothbrush once they’re feeling well.
- Lavender-scented body wash or essential oil. Lavender is incredibly calming and somehow the scent brings a bit of peace to the whole household. As most moms know, sleep is super crucial for allowing our body to heal, so in our house, we prep the kiddos by giving a warm bath with lavender body wash. The warmth of the bath clears out their noses and sinuses. We then give them a dosage of the nighttime formula of Hyland’s 4 Kids Cold ’n Cough to keep their congestion clear while they peacefully sleep and snuggle in a dimly lit room with a favorite book until they start to snooze.
- Humidifier. One of the most crucial things I’ve found is keeping the phlegm and snot wet. I know, it’s gross. We’re really in the thick of things here today, aren’t we? When it’s wet, it’s easier to be coughed up and out of your kiddo’s chest, which makes it easier for him or her to breathe.
- Ear thermometer. I find that my kids get the hottest when they sleep. (Of course they do, because I likely JUST got them to sleep, and that’s how mommy karma goes.) The ear thermometer, however, means I can take their temperature without waking them up.
My handy cold bag keeps the house running as smoothly as it can with sick kiddos. I’m always looking to add to my bag, though. What kinds of things do you keep handy for the times your little ones get sick? Share with a comment below!
Disclaimer: Consult a medical professional before use. Always read and follow label directions.
*The uses for Hyland’s products are based on traditional homeopathic practice. They have not been reviewed by the Food and Drug Administration.
Such great advice! We are also fans of boogie wipes. They are saline cloths that help get the snot out and don’t irritate the skin. Even I use them in adult life!
Oh yes! I had forgotten about Boogie Wipes, those are so good for a tender nose.