How to Keep One Well While Caring for Sick One?!

Updated on August 15, 2011
W.R. asks from Blacksburg, VA
8 answers

Hi moms! My 3-year old is sick. I have a so-far healthy 6-month old. Over the weekend, I 'assigned' my husband to the 3YO and I looked after the baby, but now it's Monday and hubby is back at work. The 3YO needs lots of attention and cuddling, but how do I do that without spreading germs to the baby, who also needs lots of attention? I am washing my hands all the time, but is there anything else I can do? We are heading to the doctor later this morning.

Thanks!!

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K.F.

answers from New York on

When the kids are sick is just about the only time we use that antibacterial gel. Teach the 3 year old to use it whenever he coughs, sneezes or blows nose use the gel. You should use the gel every time you help little one blow the nose.

Open the windows and let fresh air in. The germs are mostly airborne and can get trapped in the house. Opening the windows infuses fresh air into the home which is helpful.

Bulk up on the vitamin C. Give little one plenty of C and water to flush the system. It is critical to getting well.

Don't eat or drink after the 3 year old. Feel better soon.

More Answers

H.V.

answers from Cleveland on

Cleaning hands, shared toys etc.
Vitamin D helps the immune system fight colds.
Are you Breastfeeding?
If so you are already passing on great stuff to help your baby cope with the sickness. again if you BF, you can take Vit D yourself and it will pass to your lil one.

1 mom found this helpful
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M.O.

answers from Chicago on

#1 explain to the 3 yr old that he has a bad germ that is making him sick
#2 tell him that to keep everyone else healthy he needs to not rub his face on you, touch everything, etc.
#3 wash everything!!!

We keep those instant hand sanitizers out, lots of tissues, a favorite blanket for the sick person, and put Lysol cleaner into a spray bottle and spray all door handles, the potty, etc with Lysol spray.

Plus, we have "lounge wear" that are our 'sick clothes'. We change them often..so any mucus, vomit, etc. germs get washed.

This was also a BIG help in cutting down germs from school. My kids will "strip" after school, and put on their "loungewear". That kept the school germs out of our house and everyone else healthy!

(If I were you, I'd do this after going to the drs office today too! Get them in the bath and fresh clothes!)

I hope everyone stays healthy!

1 mom found this helpful
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D.P.

answers from Pittsburgh on

Keep up the hand washing and disinfect common areas a few times per day--handles, door knobs, toilet handles, etc. Good luck! Hope your 3 yo is feeling better soon!

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C.W.

answers from Phoenix on

I cringe every time one of my kids get sick. That means the other 2 are going to get sick, then daddy, and possibly me. short of banning the 3 year old to one room and the 6 month old to another with a different air system there isnt anything other than handwashing. you could have both kids wear those face masks like Michael Jackson did but i doubt they will keep them on. Good luck!!! :)

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S.G.

answers from Dallas on

Lysol - Clorox - Dial Soap - Vitamins!

K.*.

answers from Los Angeles on

This is really tough! I never had good luck with this and I'm an OCD hand sanitizing household disinfecting junkie. My kids are the same age difference too, and it's really hard. I was able to keep my daughter healthy from a horrible stomach flu the rest of us had for a week. That was just short of a miracle :)

R.D.

answers from Richmond on

Hi! Germophobe R. here :)

Quarantine the sick one. Hello television! Whatever keeps them happy. Pump meds in the sick one, give everyone else vitamins and extra vitamin c. I put purell in every room of my house. Lysol EVERYTHING... twice. Teach the kiddos the importance of hand washing... hubby too (they're the biggest culprits in germ sharing!)

As for you, I'm the same way, when one of mine if sick, I'll crawl into bed with them until I'm sick too ;) I've literally started wearing a facemask when one quarantined kid is sick and I go in there for cuddle time. I have a pretty high immune system, but the other kids aren't there yet. And OMG, can't get my husband sick, he's the biggest baby of them all!

Stay calm, get to the doc, then 24 hours after your kiddo starts their meds, clean clean clean :)

Hope your little one feels better!

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