Day 30: Preventing Sickness During Cold and Flu Season

In the last few days Silas has been getting over Roseola. Roseola is a virus that starts as a fever, then turns into a rash on the baby's body. The rash is on baby's trunk and sometimes spreads onto arms, legs, and face. My poor little SiSi had it all over. The rash isn't itchy or painful, it just looks really sad.



Noone likes having a sick baby or child! After having three babies there are a few things I've learned that you might find helpful.

Sickness is inevitable. Colds, flus, and fevers are going to happen. I think just knowing that takes a load off of your shoulders. I've spent way too much time being afraid of my kids getting sick and way too much time being upset when they do. Seriously, fear and anger aren't necessary. Don't receive them.

Knowing that no matter how much you do your baby/child is going to get sick at some time, there are some precautions you can take.

-I recently read in a magazine I subscribe to (which would make it either Parents or Cookie) that washing your clothes in hot water kills germs. People who wash all of their clothes on hot are significantly less sick than those who don't. I know we all want to be environmentally conscious (and that means wash our clothes on cold), but during cold and flu season it's an easy thing to do that makes a big difference. You can use color safe bleach on colored clothes.

-Wash your hands like crazy. I wash my kids hands after they go to the gym or church nursery, before they eat, after they use the bathroom, anytime they touch something that might be germy. I wash my hands all the time, too. When we can't wash we sanitize. You can get those little bottles or gel sanitizer, but I like sanitizing wipes (Target has travel packs of Wet Ones that I stock up on).

-Not only sanitize your hands, but sanitize your stuff. We're probably around people and have more people over than the average person. With cell groups we have people over several times a week. After people leave (mostly groups or if I notice someone is sick) I sanitize door knobs, toys, light switches, countertops, etc..

-If you're sick, stay home. No one likes to be cooped up inside their house or miss out on fun stuff, but sometimes you just have to do it. When your sick self walks outside the door you are spreading those germs to everyone around you. Last year the rsv virus spread like crazy around all of our church and friends because people didn't stay home when they were sick.

-Keep your immunity up by eating healthy, exercising, and taking a daily vitamin.