Is there anything more difficult for parents than when their child is sick? Not much. Fortunately, children learn to talk and can then point and tell where it hurts. But as a parent, you are often worried about fever and pain until the little one gets through it and smiles again.
What can you do to support your child with various common ailments?
Here are tips for self-care of children with:
Fever
Cough
Stomach ache
Sleep problems
What can I do when my child has a fever?
1. Food that helps the body
It is completely normal for children (and adults) to want to eat less during a cold and flu. The body needs its strength for something other than digesting food, namely fighting the virus.
Therefore, eating easily digestible but nutritious food is best. Such as watermelon, vegetable juice, miso soup, warm soup with blended vegetables, onion and garlic, coconut water, and fruits like pineapple and grapefruit.
Avoid all white sugar, ready-made fruit juices, and all dairy products until the child is healthy.
2. Extra water
Give the child extra water, lemon water, and small sips of warm water with ginger, lemon, and honey.
3. Beneficial herbal tea
Give herbal tea with, for example, chamomile, peppermint, or elderflower. Elderflower syrup is also very effective and usually well liked.
4. Supplements for children with fever
Good supplements for fever are vitamin C, zinc, and propolis, as well as vitamin D in child doses.
5. Soothing & cooling
Place a cold, wet towel on the forehead.
6. Cool bedroom
Air out the bedroom several times a day and change pillowcases.
7. Soothing scents
Use essential oils in an aroma lamp in the bedroom, for example essential lavender or eucalyptus.
Remember!
Fever is the body's way of fighting infections, which is completely normal. But if the fever becomes very high, rises very quickly, or stays very high for more than 3 days, you should contact a doctor.
What can I do when my child has a cough?
1. Remove dairy
Remove all dairy products until the cough is gone.
2. Extra water
Drink plenty of water, small sips can be taken during coughing fits, and preferably herbal tea with honey.
3. What can the child eat?
Eat soups of various kinds, preferably with vegetables and cooked garlic.
4. Help for the cough
Rub the throat and chest with a carrier oil like pure almond oil or jojoba oil mixed with a few drops of essential oils of peppermint (only for children over 3 years) and eucalyptus or lavender. Use 2 drops per 10 ml of carrier oil.
You can also make your own ”chest rub” salve* with natural ingredients.
Recipe for ”chest rub” salve
Ingredients
4 tsp beeswax 7 tbsp coconut oil 3 tbsp shea butter 10 drops eucalyptus oil 8 drops lavender oil 2 saucepans, one that can fit inside the other for a water bath.
Instructions
- Place the smaller saucepan inside the larger one. The smaller saucepan should not touch the bottom of the larger one.
- Boil the water to a gentle boil.
- Add the beeswax to the smaller saucepan and let it melt.
- Add shea butter and let it melt. Mix well.
- Remove from heat.
- Add coconut oil and essential oils. Mix well.
- Pour into a glass jar with a lid.
- Let it cool; it will turn into a solid cream.
- Can be stored at room temperature for about 1.5 years; keep away from sunlight and heat.
5. Soothe the throat
Give the child 1 tsp with half freshly squeezed lemon and half honey. Remember that honey varies in quality; we always recommend cold-extracted honey.
6. Supplements for children with cough
Good supplements are vitamin C, zinc, and propolis for children, especially our Lung Health.
7. Sleeping position
Raise the headboard with books so the upper body is elevated at night.
8. Humidity
Feel free to use a humidifier at home to ease breathing.
What can I do when my child has a stomach ache?
1. Log what your child eats
If this happens often, write down what your child eats for a while and see if there is a recurring pattern or a possible hidden allergy.
It is also possible to take a food intolerance test, which is different from visible allergies that cause quick reactions. Food intolerances can cause delayed reactions that can last a long time and worsen overall health.
2. Increase the child's fiber intake
If your child often suffers from constipation or diarrhea, it may be due to an imbalance of fiber in the diet. Suddenly increasing fiber intake can also worsen the problem, so it must be a gradual change over a few weeks.
The best way to increase children's fiber intake is to increase the consumption of fruits and vegetables.
3. Good food to eat for stomach pain
If you have ongoing stomach pain, feel free to give blueberries, boiled rice, boiled fish, boiled vegetables, and homemade soup.
4. Foods to avoid with stomach pain
Avoid meat, eggs, raw fruit—especially apples—white sugar, beans, and legumes until the pain is gone.
5. Tea for the stomach
Chamomile tea is calming for children with upset stomachs. Peppermint and lemon balm are also good herbal teas.
6. Warmth soothes
Get a hot water bottle or wheat pack and place it on the stomach. We promise the whole family will want to use it.
7. Supplements for children with stomach pain
Good supplements also include lactic acid bacteria.
8. Fermented foods
If your child likes fermented foods, sauerkraut is good for the stomach.
What can I do when my child can’t sleep?
1. What is the environment like in the bedroom?
Check the sleeping area. For example, how is the bed positioned, where are the windows, are there mirrors that disturb, is it dark enough, does the child feel safe? How can the bedroom be improved?
2. Cool bedroom for better sleep
Air out the room during the day so it’s fresh at bedtime; it shouldn’t be too warm. Many children (and adults) sleep better with socks on.
3. Soothing oils
Have essential lavender oil in an aroma lamp in the bedroom.
4. Calm the senses
Play calming music or natural sounds like ocean waves. We recommend Dr. Jeffrey Thompson’s wave sounds (available on Spotify).
5. Delicious tea that calms
Make your own bedtime tea for the children.
Ingredients
100 ml lemon balm, 100 ml peppermint, 100 ml chamomile
Put all ingredients in a jar. Put on the lid and shake until well mixed.
For children: let 1 teaspoon of tea steep in 1 cup of hot water for a few minutes.
For adults: let 1 tablespoon steep in 1 cup of hot water for five minutes. Add a little honey if desired.
6. Review the diet
Food intolerances affect our sleep. It’s important to ensure children get good food that doesn’t disturb their system. You can give them protein-rich food during the day and more carbohydrates in the evening, such as rice, potatoes, and banana, to see if it supports sleep.
Avoid sugar as much as possible, especially in the afternoon and evening. Offer a banana instead.
7. Supplements for children with sleep problems
A good supplement is magnesium.
Children under 25 kg can have their legs rubbed with a pea-sized amount of magnesium cream that delivers magnesium through the skin. This is very helpful when they have "ants in their pants."
Please feel free to share your best tips!
