When Mama's Sick...
I have been planning this blog post since the "Sick Baby" blog post and today it seems fitting since this mama is a bit under the weather. I recently read that a mother's immunity is weakened for 1 year after delivery so we pass on minor colds and illnesses to baby to building their immune system. I'm not sure that I believe that but it definitely makes you feel a little less guilty about passing on a cold to your little person. There is plenty of mom guilt in this house to go around, so I don't need to add to that every time I catch a cold.
Caring for a sick or healthy baby is the hardest job most of us will ever face...24 hours a day 7 days a week, if not working mama is still always on call. This is challenging even when mama is healthy but being sick yourself takes it to a whole new level. I am a fan of pampering myself when I don't feel well but it can be difficult to find the time for a steamy bath and a Hot Toddy as a mama so I have been thinking about ways mamas can give themselves a boost when they are under the weather.
The first thing I think of is comfortable jammies and I love these Arabella Long-Sleeve Jersey Pajamas from Amazon. The jersey fabric is so soft and cozy. The pants also have pockets, so I can keep a couple tissues and hand sanitizer with me at all times. If my little man isn't sick I want to keep it that way. These come in some great basic colors. Bonus, I am not that tall at 5' 4" but most pajama pants are always short on me...I didn't have that problem with these even after repeated wash and dry cycles. Also, the basic color scheme means if I need to drive through CVS and don't feel like changing clothes no one will notice...hopefully I don't get pulled over for speeding on the way there. :)
Sleep is super important when you are sick but if you are like me it isn't easy to get even when everyone is operating at one hundred percent. When you are sick you need to make the most of the sleep you do get. I love this Gravity Weighted Sleep Mask for blocking out the light from the Owlet Monitor and the IBaby Monitor. I have tried several sleep masks and I always find myself peeking out of the bottom but that doesn't happen with this one. My husband has recommend that I just turn off the monitor screen but I don't want to fumble with the buttons when I want to see what is going on, so this is a perfect solution for me.
A humidifier is a must when I am sick and this Aicook Cool Mist Humidifier is the perfect size for your bedside table and super quiet but just loud enough to provide a soothing hum to cover up my stuffy nose induced snoring. It also holds enough water to run on a high setting for at least 12 hours so it will run all night without interruption. Also, this humidifier doesn't require replacement filters. I always clean mine periodically with distilled vinegar to get rid of any mineral deposits from our water.
Hydration is key no matter through a humidifier or in what you drink. Load up on lots of water and tea when you sick to flush your system. Admittedly, I am not a big tea drinker unless I am sick. I found this "Hey Girl" tea when shopping for a coworker's Christmas present last year after she went on a date that started with "Hey Girl" and ended with a no thank you to a second date. I loved the name and gave it a try. The tea is all natural and defends against colds , cough and even stress with immune boosting herbs , antioxidant and vitamins. It also comes with a happiness guarantee offering a 100% money back guarantee if you aren't happy. You can't go wrong. I have been known on ocassion to add a little lemon, honey and BOURBON to my tea. :) Check out my custom coffee mug selection on Zazzle.
I bought Breathe Right nasal strips for my husband to try for his snoring and he of course refused the wear them, so I actually tried them out of desperation when nothing else was working for a horribly stuffy nose and they definitely helped me sleep. I am by no means claiming that these had me breathing normally but they did improve my stuffy nose and let me breathe better. I keep them on hand all the time now and I love the clear strips for sensitive skin and believe me my nose is always sensitive from all the tissues I use during a cold.
The sensitive nose talk actually brings me to my next favorite item. I actually steal this item from my little man. Boogie Wipes!!! They are amazing when you are blowing your nose all day. I use the Boogie Wipes in conjunction with lotion tissues and Vaseline to keep my nose from looking like Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer!
Chicken Noodle Soup is a go to when I am sick. Stay tuned for my recipe but in the meantime, I love these Soup at Hand cups. These are perfect for an on the go mama even when healthy. I can heat this up and take it with me to fold laundry, post on Poshmark...you name it these are so convenient and when I am sick I love the fact that everything in the soup is smooth, small and extra salty for my sore throat.
When all else fails and I still just can't breathe I like a combination home treatment. I love these Aura Cacia Aromatherapy Shower Tablets for quick congestion relief with the aroma of eucalyptus. If you have more than 15 minutes there is also a bath version that is also amazing. I combine that with Advil Sinus Congestion and Pain medicine; for the stuffy nose plus the aches and pains that come along with a cold...and carrying a 22 pound bouncing baby boy! This is the only medicine that doesn't make me sleepy(ier).
If you are reading this blog you are probably looking for helpful tips for your own cold or other illness. Hang in there...it won't last forever! You will get through this! I would love to hear your tips for handling your own illness while caring for a baby. Stop by the forum or contact me page to submit your ideas.