Sick Toddler Survival Kit + DIY Paper Plate Nurse Hat

Last week was like an out of body experience around here. Picture it: Sick baby, sick toddler, sick mom. It started with Zoe having an on and off fever for a few days. Then came the “mommy my ear hurts” complaints. Add a very fussy baby also with a fever, a terrible cough and actually tugging his ear. Now if that wasn’t enough, add a down for the count mom. Fever, unbelievable cough, limited ability to breath from my nose, a migraine and a random upset tummy accompanied by vomiting. All of this, all at once. Even I couldn’t believe it.

On day 3 of not feeling well, we took a trip to the doctor. We each went home with a 10 day prescription plus instructions on managing fever & pain, staying hydrated and to get plenty of rest. You know that whole plenty of rest thing didn’t happen for this sick mama bear. But I nursed (the baby literally), Zoe and myself back to health. It wasn’t easy but with the help of family, friends and my sick toddler survival kit for Zoe, we are back in action. 

Moms, you do have a sick toddler survival kit of fun and necessities, right? If not, I’ve got you covered. I keep a basket of fun handy because sometimes I need Zoe to entertain herself while I care for Baby E. On sick days, it is the best thing ever. A sick toddler can be fun when you have your basket ready. 

Essentials

• • Phone 
    • I keep track of temperature checks and medication times plus I set alerts for next dosage.

 

• • Prescriptions (if prescribed by doctor)

 

• Children’s Advil® 
  • We use children’s ibuprofen to help bring down Z’s fever and to help manage pain. I picked the sugar free and dye free berry flavor because she loves the taste and I love the reduced amount of anything artificial being added.   Of course this means fast relief for Z and is also a relief for me. I follow our doctor’s orders for dosage. 
• Thermometer
  • I love our forehead thermometer because it is usually pretty accurate, I can use it without disturbing a sleeping child (seriously) and it keeps track of the last temperature reading. Of course I jot everything down in my phone. Crazy mom status!

Sick Toddler Survival Kit

Fun

• Lovie dolls, blankie & pillow
• Craft Project
  • Glue, tissue paper squares and pipe cleaners so we could make this Very Hungry Caterpillar together. 

• Coloring Supplies 
  • When your big baby is a mini Picasso, it’s all good. 
• Ice Pops 
  • For me these are little miracle workers. Some how they stop toddler whining in it’s tracks.  Keep them in the freezer of course. 

• Movie & Games
  • Ok so it’s the remote in our kit or we whip out the tablet. Let’s just say I know all the words to Annie now. Z even managed a little dance and a few chords. 
• DIY Nurse Hat
  • The queen of dress up loved wearing this hat while she was sick. Pretending to be a nurse or doctor is fun and distracts her from any discomfort she is feeling. Use these instructions to make your own: 

DIY Paper Plate Nurse Hat

Supplies

White paper plate, felt, glue, scissors, string and embellishments if your tot insists.

Fold paper plate in half.

Use scissor to make small holes then string a doubled piece of string through the holes and tie. 

Cut strips of felt to form cross and blue line.

Use glue (regular will work but of course we have felt glue on hand) to add cross. 

Glue on blue line. 

Add embellishments as per toddler instructions. 

Tie hat on and snap a cute pic or two. 

This is an easy craft to make with your toddler as your assistant. Another great distraction during those sick moments. 

How do you keep your toddler happy when they are sick? Share your favorite tips with me.