It’s the most wonderful time of the year + with that comes my most unfavourite part of the season: colds and flus.
I would say we are very grateful to not get hit too badly–a perk of homeschooling ;) I don’t get all the kindergarten germs although we are not free from the drop-in boogies + my kids literally cough into each other’s mouths…it’s disgusting.
Needless to say, colds happen in our family and they straight word suck the big one. I was so pleased when I was sent the dang sweetest care package full of goodies to help ease this preggo mama’s cold worries. There is legit nothing I hate more than when my kids get sick + fevers put me on the edge, ha. I’m like a no-sleeper, constant-checker, boogie-wiper, clementine-peeler, apple juice deliverer, cold cloth flipper extraordinaire. I mean, I’m pretty proud of my ability to do all the things but gosh, it can make me SO TIRED and our colds can linger for D A Y S.
ANYWAY.
I thought, ya know, before I unleash all the festive content (it’s coming…along with some seriously late third pregnancy/baby-inspired posts, promise!), I’d share some of the cold + flu essentials that we use and love in our home as well as a few new products that I am thrilled to have on hand for the next time the bug decides to take one (or all!) of us down!
So. You know when you make a face cloth nice and cold!? You fold it up and it’s perfect. You place it on your kiddos forehead + it’s too dang heavy, especially if they’re laying on their sides “watching” a movie!? And then the face cloth slips and starts to cover their eyes, it doesn’t stay cool, and you’re basically hovering over them holding this dang thing in place while literally having to run to the sink to make it cool every 0.4029 seconds?! Well, mama, I’ve got you. Introducing these super adorable BeKool Soft Gel Sheets hashtag, the best. They come in these sweet Mickey Mouse prints and I’m so happy that these are soft, effective, and are actually perfect for my kiddos as they work immediately to provide a cooling relief without being bulky + annoying. Plus, it allows this mama to use the time she would have spent hovering, making more snacks + enticing the kids to drink “just a sip” of water.
Although I can’t seem to get my hands on these electrolytes anywhere other than Amazon Canada (it’s okay, I’m totally an Amazon Prime mom so it works for us!) and the store site, I really highly recommend these. Dr. Price Vitamins has hands down the very best electrolytes + I especially love them during the cold + flu season as staying hydrated and full of the good vitamins and minerals is key. Also, PREGGO mamas, I highly recommend this for you too. I mean, EVERYONE really…but pregnant? USE THESE. Nursing? USE THESE. You can totally water them down for the kiddos. I do. I share one package between both kids + it really is a game changer. Especially when they haven’t been able to keep loads of fluids down, these electrolytes taste delicious and contain a blend of over 72 Trace Minerals and Electrolytes + isn’t full of sugar! My favourite flavours are Blueberry Pomegranate and Raspberry. OMG, I want them now. With lots of ice. Ha, preggo craving in full force.
And speaking of vitamins, I also think a daily vitamin is a really great thing for littles. I love the Salus Kindervital Liquid Vitamin for George and Eloise. You can literally get it at any health food store, or on Amazon or Well.ca + I like that it is a liquid formula because it is wayyyy easier for their bodies to assimilate the vitamins + minerals. And although I don’t just pull out the vitamins when the cold hits (they have their vitamins in the morning with their breakfast!), I really think it eases my mama heart knowing that I’m helping them get an extra boost of goodness–especially on days when George refuses to eat anything except butter noodles (PS sidenote, does this phase ever end!?) + I’m setting them up for success, health-wise. Of course, please don’t rely solely on vitamins + minerals to get all the nutrients in your kiddos–I mean, it seems a bit common sense, but figure I mention it anyway. EAT A RAINBOW PEOPLE. Also, please speak with your doctor/naturopath too! Cuz y’all know, I’m not a medical professional, just a mama who likes her vitamins. Ha.
We are firm believers in the use of homeopathic products for our little ones–not saying I won’t use medicine should we need it, obvi, I’m not a monster–but our very first option will always be something natural. I was so pleased to be introduced to Hylands’ All Day Syrup for Baby and 4 Kids! This is a homeopathic syrup that settles sneezing, soothes sore throats, + loosens up gunky congestion so your kiddo can get back to being their wild, noisy, amazing, carefree, and happy selves. A big winner with these formulas are that they contain no Aspirin or Ibuprofen or Naproxen (I know, all the medical words, ha) so I don’t have to worry about any weird side effects like sleepiness or stimulant-type side effects. Praise be!
Okay, so truth and gross bomb: I had a cold sore once. ONLY ONCE. And it was like the biggest cold sore I have ever had or seen in my entire life–I was nine + I’m pretty sure it took over my face (like, for real). It felt that way. It really did. It all started with dry lips + a tear in the corner of my mouth which then obvi created a cold sore..ANYWAY. It was gross with a capital G. And although I haven’t really had one in a very long time, I am so happy to have the Lypsyl Extreme Cold Sore Relief in my first aid kit. It is the perfect cold sore treatment that contains cleansing propolis + Swedish Beeswax (super moisturizing!) to relieve pain + itching. Omg, for those who have never had one–you won’t fully understand the itch. But please, take my word for it…ITCHY (and it’s ON.YOUR.FACE. Ugh). And again, gross.
You know those nights when you have a cough and you cannot seem to stop?! Yeah, I had one of those a month ago + it just lingered forever. Aaron called me Longhorn Foghorn (HAHAHA) because I would just cough and cough and cough + I had zero relief. I’m surprised I didn’t wake the kids (yes, we’re all still in the king together…think I can add a newborn to that party!? ;)). So, when I was sent the J.R. Watkins Menthol Camphor Bath Soak, I literally did a happy dance. HEAR ME WHEN I SAY THIS: MOMS CAN’T GET SICK. Y’all already know this. We need to get it all sorted so we can help the littles (and the dreaded man colds, ugh) get better + quick. This preggo mama couldn’t even wait to get a cold to jump in the bath + enjoy a soak with these natural menthol oils. This soak is PERFECT for those nights when you can’t seem to stop coughing as the menthol oils help to expand your airways + make breathing a little easier. Oh, and the camphor works as a decongestant + cough suppressant–which means I can crawl into our bed + not wake the littles with my barking cough and I won’t have to endure my husband calling me Longhorn Foghorn anymore. Ha. Thank goodness.
And last but definitely not least, throw on some Disney+, swipe some Thieves Essential Oil Roller on the bottoms of feet + along their spine, and hand the kids a banana popsicle and you’re set! Disney+ is literally a dream come true for me and I’m confident my excitement is (much) higher than the kids but they’re getting there. We watched Peter Pan the other night and it was really cool to watch it through George’s eyes–he was really invested in the lost boys. I swear by Thieves when it is cold + flu season as this particular blend of essential oils is known to boost the immune system, promote respiratory health, and fight microbes. I mean, duh. Please make sure to combine Thieves with a carrier oil! And banana popsicles have never been my thing as they used to remind me of a banana-flavoured antibiotic I had as a child, but this is my husband’s cure-all. Like, if he has a sore throat, a cold, feels crummy–a banana popsicle brings him comfort + relief. So, obviously, we passed this tradition (if you will) on to the kids + I kinda love it. I try not to make a big deal of “if you’re sick you get a banana popsicle” because I am definitely not into the “let’s manifest sickness for a popsicle” vibe BUT I like to have a few on hand should they need a little something extra.
I hope these items helped/inspired you to know that you CAN tackle the cold + flu season with confidence and with added ease. What are your tips + tricks, favourite products, or your cure-alls in your home!? Let me know in the comments below!
Thanks again for your continued support + love for our little space on the internet. We deeply appreciate you and are beyond grateful.
XO
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All opinions are my own.