When A Toddler Is Sick: How to help them and yourself through it

by - 4:54:00 PM

Hey y'all!

What's the one thing we would never, ever, EVER wish on someone's kid? That's right! We would never wish one's child ill for any reason. Period!

But what happens when your child does end up sick? Are you making it more stressful? Do they feel so uncomfortable they can't  settle down? Are they afraid? There are so many factors that come into play when your toddler is sick.

Really quick story time folks!

A few weeks ago, my family and I came home from the movies ( it was Miracle Season, which is AMAZING BTW) and Italy was complaining about a tummy ache. Naturally, I thought to myself " she is only saying this because it is bedtime". So, after a few hugs, kisses and tucking her in, she finally went to bed.. but not for long. Italy woke up around 4:30-5:00 am crying that her tummy hurt and she had to go potty. What seemed like a longer than normal time in the bathroom, she came out screaming and crying because she had diarrhea! I knew it was all down hill at that point. What started off as an upset stomach quickly turned into a low grade fever and vomiting.

As I was sitting there trying to console my toddler, I started going over and over everything that I was doing to help her in my head. So, I was inspired to write this post as a guide, reassurance or whatever you think you may need it for when caring for your sick toddler!

So, just how can you help your toddler and yourself through it? Well, here are a few tips!

1. Stay Calm- If you see that your toddler is sick or in pain, freaking out is the first and fastest way to stress them out more. Stay relaxed and calm to ease their worries and to keep you from feeling overwhelmed.

2. Get Organized- I know getting organized may not seem like top priority when you have a sick toddler but it is crucial to how everything will play out. Get your bucket, medicines, clear liquids and blankets ready and in place so you can grab them quickly.

Staying comfy with mama :)

3. Get Comfortable- A sick toddler needs a lot of rest and so will you after you tending to them. Getting comfy on the couch with your little one will ease any anxiety or stress they are feeling. My little Italy is so afraid of throwing up that the only way to calm her is to get her comfortably situated with me so I can rub her back and she can rub my ear.

4. Protect- What's one way us moms get stressed out? A BIG OL' MESS! Protect your couch/bed and floor by placing old sheets on the areas around your toddler and the floor. Sometimes my kids have projectile vomiting and it is always easier to keep the area around them covered. If they get any on the couch or floor, I can rinse it off and throw it in the washing machine. Trust me, you don't want to scrub vomit out of the run or furniture.
 The picture below is my couch. I have two sheets draped over the couch and floor and blankets to keep her comfortable.

5. Nurture- Simply showing love and affection to your sick toddler will naturally make them feel better. Italy and I layed on the couch all day watching PBS Kids, cuddling and napping. Thankfully my middle two were able to handle their own needs for the day.

6. Reassure/Affirmation- Along with being nurturing, reassuring them is just as important. If your kiddo is afraid of throwing up like Italy is, reassuring them that it is natural and will help them feel better can really help them fight through it. Kids love to hear that they are doing a good job, so telling them that they are brave or doing an awesome job will definitely make them feel at ease.

Now I have to say this, I am not a Dr. nor do I claim to be a child rearing pro lol. I am a mom, and while these may seem like easy or common  sense rules to live by, we all need a little reminder or tip to be our best.

I hope you found these tips helpful and if you know a new mom (or dad) that could use them, feel free to pass it along!

What do you do that helps you and your toddler get through the dreaded "sick day"? Let me know in the comments below!

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  1. Such great tips! Having a sick toddler is super stressful. Another tip I would add is to layer their sleeping area with towels. My son had the stomach bug, and I layered his crib with towels. When he woke up and got sick, I simply had to remove a layer instead of changing the entire crib.

    1. Yes! I keep everything extra protected lol. It makes everything so much easier!

  2. Such great tips! The first one especially, I think for me it's just easy for me to let the emotions go first. I feel bad/want to cry because my kid feels sick.

    1. I know :( It's so hard to not feel what they are feeling!

  3. I can't imagine how stressful this must be but I loved learning about your amazing skills!

  4. Whew, moms just don't get enough credit! These are really helpful and simple tips. I'll share with my mommy friends :)

    Denise// http://theelleaesthetic.com/

  5. I remember my toddler days and mommy's nurturing (and some soup) always helped

    1. As much as I hate to see them sick, I love the extra cuddles and attention they want. I love being able to nurture them!

  6. I need all the help I can get with this one! I tend to be a calm and chill parent with my toddler. But that all goes out the window when she is sick. I turn into a total stress case. It's just not my strong point. I will definitely keep these tips in mind. I think being more prepared might help me.

    1. We all have that moment where our emotions tend to try and take the lead. I am glad I was able to help!