Being the primary caregiver of a child means that you are responsible for the well-being of that child and it is a role that should be taken with all seriousness, especially when the child is sick.
Different medical issues may affect a child and they could range from serious emergencies to slow-building illnesses. Figuring out what part of the scale the sickness belongs is the first step towards managing the care for that baby or toddler.
From mere observations of the child’s behavior, in relation to previous patterns, a caregiver or parent should be able to notice when the child is showing basic symptoms of illness. However, from the moment of the first observation, the journey to recovery has only begun. To keep the child safe and healthy, here are a few key steps to managing the care for a sick baby/toddler/child.
- Identifying symptoms
For children with illnesses that have obvious symptoms, they may require several diaper changes and a lot of crying. When the symptoms are clear from the child’s behavior and bodily functions, the caregiver must note all symptoms such as temperature, excretion, and other signs that may be a cause for awareness. Once the symptoms have been noted, the caregiver can determine if the child needs urgent professional medical treatment or if home remedies will do the trick. This decision is primarily based on the severity of the child’s symptoms. A child with a temperature reading over a certain limit, considering the climate conditions in that area, may have to be examined by a professional, tested, and probably admitted to a hospital.
- Emotional balance
A sick baby may sulk or cry inconsolably, and the caregiver must be able to balance their emotional reactions to the child’s illness while prioritizing the child’s comfort and dealing with the tantrums and outbursts. To manage the physical care of a sick baby or toddler, you must be able to cater to their emotional needs and reassure them of their wellbeing as you go through the process of prepping them for treatment.
- Administer first-aid treatment/home remedies.
In the absence of any obvious symptom of a more serious or dangerous illness, it is best to apply first-aid treatment and home remedies. Things like a bowl of chicken noodle soup or a warm bath can be enough to help a child regulate their temperature against fever, flu, or any other mild illness. If the child has prescribed drugs that can be used without the supervision of a doctor, they can be administered to help the child feel better.
- Get professional assistance
In a scenario where the child’s symptoms are too much, too high, or too painful, it is best to get professional assistance by taking the child to a clinic or hospital for medical diagnosis and treatment. The notes taken during the process of identifying the symptoms would be helpful at this point and will help direct the medical practitioner in making the correct diagnosis and formulating an effective treatment plan.
- Stick to treatment plan and guide recovery
After testing and diagnoses of the child, the treatment plan and medications prescribed for the child are to be administered accordingly. Easing the child back into play sessions after treatment can be tiring but it is your responsibility to ensure that the physical and mental wellness of the child is as good as can be.
Managing the care of a baby or toddler that is sick can be exhausting on you as the caregiver but the child must have your undivided attention as they make the journey to full recovery!
SOURCES
KidsHealth – https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/seriously-ill.html
HealthDirect – https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/looking-after-a-sick-child
WHO – https://www.who.int/maternal_child_adolescent/documents/caring-for-the-sick-child/en/