Survival tips for a mum of a sick baby
Most of us new-mums will confess that they have held an all night vigil the first time their babies were ill. This meant either turning up the volume of the baby monitor to maximum or even camping out on the floor next to their cot. Baby usually sleeps fine but you on the other hand, don’t sleep a wink. Leaving you an exhausted mess the next day which makes dealing with a grumpy feverish baby extremely challenging.
Here’s a few survival tips based on new-mums and my personal experience.
THE DOCTOR
Don’t feel bad about taking a whiny baby to the doctor. Even if you get the usual “it’s a virus, nothing can be done except paracetamol for the fever”. Don’t feel guilty taking baby back there a day or two later because they’re even fussier. One day their ears can get the OK and the next – ear infection.
You are your baby’s best advocate. If you have concerns or doubts, voice them. No matter how silly it might seem. A list of questions can help you too. You are most likely suffering major ‘baby brain’ due to exhaustion.
BE PREPARED
- Cook family meals where there are plenty of left-overs. Reheating your lunch or tomorrow nights dinner is a lot easier than having to be inventive at every meal time. I recommend a good pasta bake.
- Stock up on baby tin food. The bland stuff is preferable. Like Farex, applesauce. Crackers and vanilla wine biscuits are perfect for toddlers.
- Your choice of toys for baby to play with is actually important. A sick toddler will have limited problem solving skills and frustration, tears and tantrums will be quick to surface. Put away the shapes ball and pop-on their favourite DVD or start colouring in on scrap paper.
- Home delivery!!! Obvious coming from me. Getting all your needs like a Braun thermometer, a new toy, Purell hand sanitiser, Kleenex anti-viral tissues, Vapour Gel, nappies, wipes and formula – all delivered to your door! Find an NZ online pharmacy (soon available from Nappies Direct) to get your Pamol and Vitamin C delivered. You can even get your groceries delivery too!
TREAT YOURSELF
- Knocking a couple of errands off your list may make you feel like you’ve achieved something in the day.
- Exercise to get your blood and endorphins flowing. This could mean jogging on the spot during the commercial break. A brisk walk pushing the pram. You know you’ll feel better for doing it.
- Power nap while baby is napping. Forget the pile of vomit-covered muslins for now and go lay down
- “Let me know if there is anything I can do”. Everyone has said this to you, now take them up on the offer. Give them your letters to post. Ask them to drop by with some milk and bread if you’ve run out.
- Get yourself a yummy coffee, chai latte or hot chocolate. Hey, order that delicious looking slice to go with it. You’re probably so tired that the sugar and caffeine fix will make you feel like a million bucks. You won’t get this advise from a nutritionist!
REALITY CHECK
I read these fantastic tips on an American parenting website which I thought was a laugh!
- Call your friends who don't have kids. Share the story of how you cleaned vomit out of the cracks in your floor with a toothpick. Friends will tell you, "I don't know how you do it. You're amazing." And you'll realise that you don't know how you do it and that you are amazing.
- Keep your spouse in the loop. Give him all the gory details so he can take over for you.
- Get naked. Sexual healing makes you feel like a natural woman, not a mum who's covered in dried spitup.
- Watch the news. Put it on in the background as you pay bills or cook dinner. Hearing nothing but bad news in the world may help you get perspective on your baby's sniffles.
- Bond with your baby. Sometimes, in the midst of all the thermometers, nasal aspirators, and sleepless nights, you and your child can share some special moments. Like being able to hold your little squirmer for longer than he'd ever let you if he were well.