preschoolers [3–5 years]

She can catch flying phlegm in a single bound…snot is no match for her…airborne germs can’t get through her defenses…puke? Give me a break! She’s super mom and cold and flu season is no match for her!

here a yack, there a cough, everywhere a puke

The best offense for cold and flu season is a good defense. Instill healthy habits in your kiddos early [regular exercise, good nutrition, adequate sleep and proper hand washing]. But as hard a good mama will try it’s inevitable your preschooler is going to catch something. Regardless of the symptoms, no mama likes seeing their kiddo sick. And if at all possible, we prefer to not give them medicine, but not at the expense of them being uncomfortable. Here are some treatment options for what ails ya: a dash of this and a touch of that Bumps, bruises and scrapes are a rite of passage for our big kids and their love of activity. When a hug and kiss aren’t enough to put them on the mend, try some of these fixes for common battle scars:

• sour throat How about a little lemon with your honey. Lemon juice dries up congestion and honey offers a soothing coating. Mix together a tablespoon of each and microwave about twenty seconds or until it is warm [not hot]. Have your preschooler drink slowly, about a teaspoon at a time. Remember that honey is not for kiddos under 12-months-old.

• cool a cough Turn to a cool-mist humidifier when your preschooler has a nagging cough. Moist air helps ease coughing and congestion. Don’t forget to clean your humidifier frequently as it can be a breeding ground for mold and bacteria. The last thing you want to do is spew gunk into the air…keep it clean!

• get comfy When your preschooler isn’t feeling well, get them comfortable. Push the fluids [water, juice, warm soups] to prevent dehydration, get plenty of rest and consider pain relievers as needed. Keep in mind that the use of over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen [Tylenol] or ibuprofen [Advil, Motrin] are not recommended for kiddos under age two and it is extremely important to read the label of any and all cold medicine you give your preschooler to ensure overdosing doesn’t occur.

There’s no stopping a big kid at play. Runnin’ and jumpin’ is usually followed by random collisions resulting in some much needed mama first-aid.

• spicy stops Gotta nosebleed? Start by keeping your big kid’s head upright and pinch his nostrils together for several minutes. Then sprinkle a pinch of ground cayenne pepper [yes cayenne pepper] on a wet cotton swab and dab the inside of it on the area that is bleeding. This spice helps clot blood and has been used as such by cultures around the world. And surprisingly it doesn’t sting like you might expect.

• cool reducer Sure, you’ve seen the spa scene where the client is relaxing with two perfectly placed cucumber slices on their eyes. Well, there’s a reason…cucumbers are great for reducing mild swelling. Keep a few slices in the fridge and apply as needed. Then when they start to warm up, swap ‘em out with a new batch from the fridge.

• black eye away The best treatment for a black eye is ice and a lot of it the first 24 to 48 hours. You’ve probably heard or seen the old raw steak to the eye treatment. It isn’t the raw meat that does the trick; it’s the coldness of the steak. A cold pop is just as effective. The thing to remember when applying ice or another cold object is to not put pressure on the eyeball.