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My toddler just got over a four-day stomach bug, and I was really wishing I had someone throwing me tips and tricks for caring for a sick child! So this week, we’re gonna discuss all the things I learned while quarantining in our home with a toddler who couldn’t seem to keep anything down for days. So much fun! Here we go! 

I know I specified that my son was struggling with a stomach bug. However, we are going to talk about other common illnesses, too.. Just overall tips and tricks to keep your head above water while caring for a sick child. 

Stay Hydrated

To start, the number one rule is to keep those babies hydrated! You don’t need to overdo it. Just small sips frequently to try to prevent dehydration. If your baby doesn’t want to drink water, give ‘em a popsicle! It will bring them a little bit of joy during a very difficult time. Other water alternatives, depending on your pediatrician’s advice, might include Pedialyte, Gatorade, Body Armor or some form of clear broth. 

Seek Medical Attention

Always remember: Seek medical attention immediately if your kiddo is showing any signs of dehydration. Things to look out for are fewer wet diapers, dry mouth, no tears when crying, a persistent high fever or difficulty breathing. 

Help With Stomach Bugs

In terms of food, if your kiddo is struggling with a stomach sickness,  it’s best to keep it bland. We’re talking the BRAT diet: Bananas, rice, applesauce, and (plain) toast. Delicious, I know. I realized this past week that my son will only eat a banana if I am also eating a banana and decided to do so first. Otherwise, bananas are a definite no-go. Ice pops or slushies are a good treat when dealing with tummy sickness as well. 

Fighting Congestion

If your kiddo is having congestive symptoms, pull out the classic chicken noodle soup. Did you know a medical study indicated that chicken noodle soup can relieve symptoms of a common cold? Even just some warm broth can be great for a sore throat. 

If your baby is having trouble during the night or going down for naps, it can be so helpful to bring out the trusty humidifier. We love a humidifier in our house. Not only does it seriously relieve congestion while trying to sleep, but the sound of it is also kind of like a mini white noise machine. If your kiddo is struggling with a cough, you can also give them a spoonful of honey to soothe their throat. However!! Honey is only okay for little ones who are 12 months or older and who have their doctor’s OK. 

Fevers

When it comes to fevers, classic grape Tylenol is a crowd favorite, but remember that fever is helping fight off their sickness. If fever-reducing medicine is used too often, it could slow a child’s recovery. You can try lukewarm washcloths on their skin or a sponge bath to cool them down. 

Keep your thermometer on hand, though! You don’t want that fever too high. Trust your gut and call your pediatrician if it seems like the fever is getting too high or your child isn’t improving. Even if you are worried and just want to ask for an opinion. Use the resources at your disposal! 

Extra Cuddles

Having a sick baby is possibly one of the worst feelings in the world. We hate to see our little ones struggling and unhappy. But you’ve got this! Give your baby all the extra cuddles you’ve got. 

Sophie Hamel is a freelance writer and works as a crisis responder. Her son is three years old.

Luminous removes the hassle of arranging for tuition vouchers and helps make childcare affordable. Vouchers can help ease your financial stress. Learn more about qualifying for HRA and ACS vouchers at our Bronx and Brooklyn centers. Payment can also be made by SEIU/1199 Child Care, check, credit card, and through the Luminous reimbursement program. Contact Luminous Early Childhood Learning Center at enrollment@luminouschildcare.org or call us at 929.228.1180.

Happy little African American boy in a pumpkin patch in autumn,

Hi, parents, and happy October! I’m so happy to celebrate my favorite season of the year. It's that time of year for fall fun with little ones. Here are some autumn- and Halloween-themed suggestions to keep your little one entertained.

As always, we are keeping these as simple as can be. Let’s get started! 

Squishy Fun

First is an activity that is great for our really tiny humans. If you plan to carve pumpkins, don’t throw away the guts of the pumpkin.

Instead, toss them in a gallon zip lock bag to create a super simple and squishy sensory activity for those 12-24-month-olds.

This way they are still involved in the pumpkin carving, but in a safe way. And this allows us parents to really focus on our own pumpkins, am I right? 

Pumpkin Washing

Another idea for our little littles is a pumpkin washing station. To keep it really simple, go for smaller pumpkins. You’ll need to grab a container, fill it with warm soapy water, and make sure there you’re set up in an area that is protected from the splashing or is OK to get wet.

Our three- and four-year-olds can really get involved in the activity by washing everyone’s pumpkins before the carving begins! 

With larger pumpkins, skip placing them in water. Instead, just give your little one a couple of washcloths and some warm soapy water. This way they can wipe down all the pumpkins, and get them nice and clean for carving. But you don’t have to find a giant tote to fill with water either. 

Sensory Bin

Another easy peasy sensory activity for our littles ones is a fall-themed sensory bin.

You could use multicolored dry pasta, pinecones, smooth acorns, or even some leaves. There is basically no mess when it comes to this activity since everything is pretty large and we parents love to hear that.

Give this one a try and let me know how it goes and how long your kiddo stayed engaged in the activity. 

Hunting for Decorations

This next one, I just did with my kiddo over the past weekend, and we had such a good time. I realized, I didn’t have any Autumn or Halloween decorations for our house! As such a huge fan of this time of year, that did not sit right with me. Lack of storage space keeps me from holding onto a lot of decorations, other than those we have for Christamas. 

So, I asked my kiddo if he wanted to go to the thrift store to pick out some decorations. Surprise, surprise, his response was “NOW?” It just so happened we had a few free hours before I had to go to work. So, I said “Sure!” and we were off. 

We headed over to our local Goodwill. I really tried to let him pick out the things he thought would be cute for our little home. He found some pumpkin string lights (LOVE), tealight candle holders (one black cat, a pumpkin, and a little ghost), a wooden pumpkin door hanger, and the cutest little stuffed pumpkin with a black top hat and black and white striped arms and legs. They are absolutely perfect.

Extra tip: Bring something to donate to the thrift store. Most thrift stores offer a coupon for making a donation. So not only was everything pretty cheap in the first place, we also got 20% off! We spent a total of only $10. And we had a great time doing it. 

But, the fun didn’t stop there. We still get to go home and decorate with our super fun finds. 

There you have it, friends! Easy peasy autumn activities to incorporate when you’ve got the time.

I hope they are just as much fun for you as they were for me. Let me know how it goes!

Sophie Hamel is a freelance writer and works as a crisis responder. Her son is a 3½-year-old preschooler.



Luminous removes the hassle of arranging for tuition vouchers and helps make childcare affordable. Vouchers can help ease your financial stress. Learn more about qualifying for HRA and ACS vouchers at our Bronx and Brooklyn centers. Payment can also be made by SEIU/1199 Child Care, check, credit card, and through the Luminous reimbursement program. Contact Luminous Early Childhood Learning Center at enrollment@luminouschildcare.orgor call us at 929.228.1180.