Moms get sick, too

Here it is – the time of year when running noses and endless coughs become part of our daily routine. It’s no surprise that with all the nose wiping, food sharing and kisses we moms eventually come down with some bugs ourselves. This winter has brought particularly nasty cases of the flu, upper respiratory viruses and general ickiness to homes and daycares everywhere.

Despite my best efforts, my immune system couldn’t withstand the pressure to fit in with all the toddlers in my daughter’s classroom. Following an especially busy fall season at work, I have been sick with stomach bugs and colds three times in the last two months. Just in time for the holidays, I developed a two-week cold that morphed itself into an ear and sinus infection. Ain’t nobody got time for that. Here are some tips for taking care of yourself and your little ones during the cold and flu season.

1. Stay hydrated (also known as the water, not wine rule). When the weather gets cold, I am bad at drinking as much water as I should. Try rotating hot water with lemon or essential oils, or decaffeinated green tea.

   

2. Get that honey, honey. Did you know that honey is a natural decongestant? Add it to your tea, or whip up what my husband calls my “sick concoction” – hot water with a lemon wedge and about a tablespoon or two of honey. This is also a safe solution to soothe coughing for kiddos (older than one). Just be sure the water is warm and not hot.
3. Sleep however and whenever you can. This tip seems so obvious, but rest is my biggest struggle as a mom. I felt guilty missing out on a couple of holiday events with my husband and daughter, but I knew I’d only prolong my sickness if I tried to keep up with them. I napped whenever I could. For a few nights, I set myself upright on the couch to sleep. When I took sick days, I got up to send Morgan off to school, then went right back to bed until she got home.
4. Heat it up. Hot compresses can relieve sinus pressure. Try a warm washcloth, or make your own hot/cold pad with rice or corn. Take a hot bath with epsom salts to relieve aches and pains. (This one with eucalyptus is my favorite).
5. Steam isn’t just for cooking. Babies, toddlers and adults alike can find relief with hot steams. Get the water as hot as you can, turn on the shower, and close the bathroom door for about 10 minutes. Take your little one into the bathroom and sit in the steam for 10-15 minutes while the water is still running. We did this a few times a night when Morgan got her first colds as a baby. I would even nurse in the steamy bathroom on nights when she was too congested to breathe while she ate. We still run steam showers before bed when she’s sick.

Above all, the best way to prevent illness is to wash those hands! Make it part of your kids’ routines to not only wash up before mealtime, but also when they get home from school or any public outing.

What are some of your tips and tricks for staying healthy and treating sickness? Comment below. Here’s to happy, healthy new year!