My little stinker has been pretty healthy all of her 9 and a half months but, in the past two-ish months, she's been pretty sick twice. For the past few days I've had a bit less sleep and an upset little monkey on my hands.
Yesterday, Emily wasn't even interested in eating at all. (Normally, she's a ravenous little monster) I tried warming up her bottle, holding her in my arms to feed her, putting her in her highchair to feed herself, just really anything I could think of. Nothing worked.
I had taken her to the doctor but all he said was to make sure she's drinking plenty of fluids. Well.... Yeah I'd love that too but how?
When they're this little and especially when they're sick I think it's okay to let them call the shots a bit. She seemed really interested in the water bottle I was drinking from so I took one and poured some pedialyte in it. I held it for her and tipped it back so she could "drink" from it. Little tiny bits at a time (and mostly spilling all over her clothes) she would actually drink it! It took awhile, and a lot of mess, but I was happy to see that she was getting something in her tummy. Another thing that seemed to help was applesauce. I felt like if she would eat solid food then if I opted for something a little more watery it would give sustenance while still helping with her fluid intake.
The doctor also gave me Tylenol. This is more of my last resort. I have nothing against it whatsoever I just don't want to give it to her just because she's coughing or crying. It isn't a cough suppressant or decongestant it's basically a very mild pain reliever. If she's crying because her nose is plugged or that she just wants to be snuggled then there's really no use for the Tylenol. She can't tell me why she's crying. I only give it to her if I know she's very tired and uncomfortable and she won't stop crying even when I hold her or feed her.
Lastly, humidity seems to help the most of all. She seems to feel the best after a nice warm bath. I have a humidifier for her room at night and I usually bring her in her excersaucer in the bathroom with me while I shower. The steam seems to be helping a bit.
Today she seemed quite a bit happier. She's still coughing a lot with a runny nose so cross your fingers for us that it only lasts a day or so more!
What are your tips for a sick baby?
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