A to Z Blogging..."P is for..."

"...Prepare for Sick Days"
From "Lifehacks for Christain Moms"
by Shelly Burke, RN, Author, and Editor, Nebraska Family Times newspaper

It’s inevitable—someone in your home will become sick, probably at a most inopportune time. Being prepared for sick days—whether the sick person is a child, your spouse, or yourself—will make enduring them much easier.

Here is a list of “sick day supplies” to always have on hand:

Medications, in age-appropriate form, to treat:

• Fever
• Pain
• Nausea
  
• Diarrhea
• Congestion
• Cough

Be sure to have an appropriate measuring device on hand; a teaspoon or tablespoon from the silverware drawer is not accurate! Use the dropper or cup that came with the medication, or ask your pharmacy for an accurate measuring spoon. 

Be aware that some medications are combination medications—they contain more than one medication. Read the label carefully to avoid giving too much of any medication. For example, many cold medications also contain acetaminophen (Tylenol). If you give the cold medicine and acetaminophen, you might be giving too much acetaminophen.

Make it a habit to check the expiration date of your medications several times a year.

More Hints for Preparing for Sick Days

Additional items to have on hand:

• Electrolyte replacement fluid for infants (check with your doctor as to when you should use this)
• Juice/soda to sooth upset tummies and replace fluids lost through vomiting/diarrhea
• Thermometer and probe covers
• Humidifier and distilled water
  
• Tissues and toilet paper
• Petroleum jelly to soothe sore noses
• Diaper creme to soothe baby bottoms made sore from diarrhea
• Your family’s preferred comfort foods; soup, crackers, popsicles, jello, applesauce, pudding, juice, etc.
• Activities to keep the kids occupied when they’re on the road to health but bored, or when you are sick and need to keep them occupied. When they’re on sale, purchase (and hide!) a supply of coloring books and new colors or markers, DVDs, simple craft projects, card games, art supplies, etc. Keep hidden until needed!

Other ways to be prepared:

• Ask your doctor or nurse for guidelines as to when certain medications should be given; for example, how high should your child’s fever be before you give medication? When should you call the doctor about a fever/vomiting/diarrhea, etc?
• If anyone in your family has a chronic illness, like asthma or diabetes, his or her medication needs may change with illness. Talk with your doctor about this before illness strikes, and call while the person is sick if you have any questions.
• Never let your supply of diapers, wipes, toilet paper, laundry detergent, etc. run critically low; you don’t want to have to shop for these items with a sick child or when you yourself are sick!
• Keep several heat-and-eat meals in the freezer, and one-step preparation meals in the cupboard at all times. These will come in handy when you're too sick or too tired from taking care of other sick ones, to cook.

When the Sick Days Are Over...

• Disinfect all surfaces with wipes or Lysol spray. Follow the directions on the container. Remember phones (cell phones and the handset of land lines), remotes, doorknobs, the refrigerator and freezer handle, even steering wheel and door handles in vehicles.  
• Bring out new toothbrushes for anyone who was sick (if the sick one(s) required antibiotics,

  

  (I have NEVER been this happy when cleaning...
  maybe she's just relieved that everyone
  feels better!)

  consider throwing away the old toothbrush after 24-48 hours on antibiotics and another new one when the antibiotics are completed). 
• Wash all the bedding of the family members who have been sick. 
• Throw out any unused antibiotics. 
• Consider recording the illness and medications used, especially if a doctor visit was required, in a baby book or other health record. 

What sick day supplies do you have on hand at all times?

“Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come.”

(She is prepared for the future.)

Proverbs 31:25

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This post is an excerpt from the book “Home is Where the Mom Is; A Christian Mom’s Guide to Caring for Herself, Her Family and Her Home” by Shelly Burke. This post is part of “Lifehacks for Christian Moms”, coming soon!

I’m also blogging the A to Z Challenge at Nebraska Family Times, 

with the theme, “Words Matter.”