[name]How[/name] awful it is when our little ones come down with a fever. Of course we have Nurofen handy to bring down the temperature, and then there is the runny nose that must be an allergy?? So many perplexing problems to solve when you are the mother of small children.
So gurus here is your chance to share how you overcome the problems of sore throats, temperatures etc.
I think most of all I am interested in finding out how you help to protect their immune system. We all know that a course of antibiotics undermines the immune system, so it seems that we are between a rock and a hard place, in that we need to treat our children but we also want them to have a strong immune system.
I have been reading an article that advocates cod liver oil but it would have to be a child in a million (surely?) who would be able to take it without gagging.
Looking forward to hearing how you deal with these everyday ailments that make our kids miserable.
Isn’t there anyone who is willing to share how they look after their kids when they have ailments and if you have good ideas for helping them ward off the nasties which make them miiserable.
I would but we haven’t gotten to that yet! [name]Ivan[/name] has only ever had a cold and we ran the humidifier to help relieve congestion. He also has some problems with eczema, which I just got advice for from some wonderful people here.
We have been so lucky (knock wood) with a healthy baby who at almost 1.5 hasn’t had to take an antibiotic. We had eczema issues though & allergy issues. Those problems made me very conscious about food choices & clothing & bedding made of natural fibers & washed in gentle fragrance free detergents. So we live a bit of a natural lifestyle in those ways. I also credit breast feeding and allowing my daughter to set her own schedule. We are lucky to have a life situation where I stay at home with her so her naps happen when she’s tired, she eats when she’s hungry, I let her get out her energy when she needs it. I think it’s been beneficial to her that she gets those things when she wants or needs them, not by the clock. I don’t know if it’s luck or if it’s these lifestyle choices, but it’s worked out for us! She has a fairly active social life, so she is around other kids & their germs, we have a dog and I am not a germaphobe, we live in a city and I had her out and about when she was days old we were walking to the grocery store in [name]January[/name]!
[name]Rollo[/name]: my children take a daily dose of children’s probiotics, and this seems to help their immune systems - especially [name]Emily[/name], who used to get quite a lot of colds, bronchitis, etc. She has been very healthy this past school year, even when stomach bugs and colds were going around.
I don’t give medications like Neurofen for fever alone, only for pain. Fever is the body’s natural defence system - that’s how it kills bugs. So if you stop the fever you prolong the illness. My daughter is pretty much never sick, she has been breastfed full term which I think really helps and I am also big on good nutrition. I would recommend a spirulina supplement or a pre/probiotic if you want to take something extra.
I don’t give medications like Neurofen for fever alone, only for pain. Fever is the body’s natural defence system - that’s how it kills bugs. So if you stop the fever you prolong the illness. My daughter is pretty much never sick, she has been breastfed full term which I think really helps and I am also big on good nutrition. I would recommend a spirulina or echinacea supplement or a pre/probiotic if you want to take something extra.
My son is now 19 months and has had only had a couple of brief colds. He has had a fever only once and I gave him baby ibuprofen for it. I gave him warm baths, ran a humidifier for him, and took him out in the cool night air to help him breathe more easily. We gave him lots of water. I tried to keep him still when he was sick, b.c running around made his cough worse. I showed him some [name]Sesame[/name] [name]Street[/name] and it completely zombied him out. So I am definitely saving screen time for illnesses.
He was 100% formula fed. He still puts everything in his mouth, shares sippie cups with his little friends, and gives the dog kisses, so I think he was just born w. a good immune system. It is funny, b.c nearly all of his little same-age friends are breastfed (and still being breastfed as toddlers) and they have all had multiple ear infections and respiratory illnesses. That is anecdotal and not worth anything, of course. Still, I think most of these things come down to chance.
Anyhow, I have no idea if he would be just as healthy if our lifestyle were different, or if he is so healthy b.c we are just such amazing parents. I am inclined to think the former is true, but here are the things that I can think of that we do that may help:
He has had all of his vaccinations, and we are up on our shots as well, especially pertussis.
He has always slept well. I think that is a huge thing, in terms of keeping kids healthy. They really need so much more sleep than we do- we have always be careful to give him plenty of rest. Right now he has a good solid 2 hour nap during the day and a 12 hour stretch at night.
He plays outside every day and gets plenty of sunshine. My grandma says that it important.
He drinks lots of water. He has always eaten the same things we eat- we do tend to eat at home. I cook from scratch. I guess I use a lot of garlic, some people think that helps. We don’t eat a lot of sugar. But we aren’t militant about it- he has definitely eaten junk food. He loves fruit and eats lots of oranges. That could help.
I use vitamin C, cod liver oil, an omega supplement, magnesium and probiotics for my kids. Of course, I don’t do all of these all the time!!
During cold and flu season or times when exposure will be greater (before flying, traveling etc) I dose the c, probiotics and cod liver oil more often. With GI upset I also up the probiotics or if they are taking antibiotics. I do cod liver oil and C prior to immunizations. A plain omega supplement if they haven’t been eating enough foods, such as fish, to get enough.
Magnesium is just periodic as the vast majority of Americans are depleted in magnesium and its so vital to all our body systems. Its all about calcium/magnesium ratios and most kiddos who get way more calcium than magnesium which steals all the receptor sites that the two share.
They also get an organic multiple vitamin depending on eating habits. This one contains aloe, a mineral complex and a fruit/veggie blend. It’s liquid and therefore more bioavailable.
This may all sound a little over the top but believe me when I say these things are used as needed. I pay attention to their diets first and foremost and try focusing on whole foods. Of course there are gaps and that is where I fill in with these supplements.
A note on the cod liver oil, I use Nordic naturals kids version which is strawberry flavored. It’s still oily and a little funny tasting but they have never given me a problem taking it.
Sorry if I rambled! This is a topic of high interest for me
Thank you everyone for sharing you have given me some great information. My granddaughter, [name]Xanthe[/name] has had health problems since day dot especially feeding problems so she can eat a lot one day and then go off her food for a few days. She has a cold now and she is such a happy little thing but you hate to see them having to fight off the nasties.
katushka how wonderful to have a child who has seldom had a cold
taz I love natural products, food etc and since my stint in hospital a lot of chemical based things at home have been replaced for the natural ones. So terrific to hear that she hasn’t had any antibiotics yet, such a blessing.
charleyandperry1 I can sympathasise with you in regard to the cod liver oil (we should get the adults to take it first, they may not have recommended it then?)
kyemsma Thanks so much for the link re the probiotics I will check it out to see if we can get it here. Are there other flavours and will the children take them without coaxing?
milasmama Spirulina I know that is a good food but didn’t know you could get it for children. I will check it out.
tarynkay thanks for all that information lovely to hear that you have such a healthy little man.
vitamom I have sent your answer to my daughter my lovely 3 year olds mama as I thought she would find it very interesting.
rollo
Vitamom, we used similar products when we lived in [name]New[/name] Zealand (where we are from). Now we are overseas and living remotely it’s a lot harder to get hold of that kind of stuff! I used to take the [name]Green[/name] Pasture fermented cod liver oil myself, it is supposed to be chocolate flavoured but still tastes like cod liver oil to me! However it is brilliant stuff, and I do feel better when I take it.
[name]Rollo[/name] - to my knowledge, there are no other flavors, but this a chewable berry-flavored tablet, and both of my children really like it. I have no trouble getting them to take it! I hope your granddaughter begins to feel better soon! [name]Xanthe[/name] is 3 now, am I correct? Try the chewables, they may really help!
Thank yoiu dear friend you are absolutely right our baby is now 3 years old, and such a joy to me as is her sister, [name]Chloe[/name]. Thanks for the info much appreciated.
@rollo, I hope your daughter finds the information useful. I can give you more specific brand names if you would like. Honestly though, a quick Internet search will bring up all kinds if info. I try to only stick to organic/purified brands and probiotics formulated for kids since their intestinal flora are different than adults.
@milasmom I have had the kids cod liver oil (I try everything before I give it to them) and think its pretty awful too but my kids love taking vitamins and such… Almost too much! I have to be very careful about where I keep them!! I would imagine [name]Mila[/name]'s exposure level is much less where you are now than in [name]New[/name] Zealand? So these things may not be as needed. [name]How[/name] does it work if you were to order on the Internet? Can you get deliveries in reasonable time and for a reasonable cost? I order most of my stuff online even though I’m close to plenty of retail areas. It’s just easier sometimes and I can find exactly what I need.
I have been googling and it appears that there is a probiotic powder for children. I was wondering if anyone has tried it? I also worry about a powder as if I remember correctly the Vitamin C powder can affect the enamel on teeth and I am therefore a bit wary of using a powder.
I have not tried the powder - my guess is it might taste different? I think you are right about Vitamin C affecting tooth enamel, but I am not sure about probiotic powder.
I use a childrens probiotic powder (the name of which escapes me but i will look at it and get back to you) which I generally stir into yogurt or applesauce so I imagine not much of the powder makes it directly on the tooth. I have not heard of the tooth enamel issue specifically.
I have both a liquid vitamin c and a chewable. The liquid for my almost 2 yr old and the chewables for my 4 yr old. [name]Both[/name] are very strong orange flavor. The liquid gets a sour face from my little one.
