Help!! Leaving today and 5 yr old is sick!!

[michaels_princess]

Hey guys, I need advice...my DH and I are travelling to WDW (driving to Minneapolis today, flying tomorrow) and our foster son (5) is sick! Not sick enough for cancellation insurance to kick in (its just a head cold with a post-nasal drip cough and a headache)..but bad enough that I'm worried! What do we do? We only recently became foster parents, this is the second time he has ever been sick since moving in with us and last time I just had him sleep all day & watch movies...obviously that isn't an option!! Is there any way we can deal with this and make it bearable for him? I don't want to do anything that could make him MORE sick...advice please? I've never been a mum before now, so I really don't know what to do!

 

[Not so Dumbo]

I know it's hard to see into the future and see how he will be doing in a couple of days. I think a long car ride will give him time to rest. I don't think it will make him more sick. I'd just go and bring a long some tylenol for his headache. He'll have a cold no matter where he is, maybe being at WDW will allow him to take his mind off it.

 

[Mkrop]

Take a pillow and some DVDs and let him rest in the car. Bring some meds just in case, like something for fever, some other type of cold stuff. If he likes a specific flavor bring that from home. And pump him full of fluids, this may make some more bathroom stops but it is better to keep him hydrated and flush the cold out.

DH convinced me not to bring my portbale pharmacy and my kids got sick there,and DS10 really only will tolerate grape flavor meds and of course we didnt have a car and the gift shops were limited with their choices, we got by but I will never make that mistake again.

GL, have fun, and you are a great mom bc you care

 

[L&Es Mom]

Hang in there Mom...I know it's scary and we often feel helpless when our little ones are under the weather. But the best thing is love on them...cuddle, rest, and drink lots. I'm sure when Mickey is spotted...the cold will feel a lot better!
You might want to think about a little Benadryl and Tylenol before the flight. The increased cabin pressure sure can be painful on a head cold.
We tried Zicam (a natural immunity booster/remedy) for my dd (4) and husband earlier this winter...it claims to shorten the cold or even prevent it if you or hubby start feeling ill...it may be worth a shot.
Happy Healthy Wishes!

 

[Mkrop]

I just read the part that youe were driving and not the flying part sorry. Call your ped and see if he will let your son take Sudafed (the real stuff, not the PE stuff) this will help tremndously with the pressure in his ears whether he has a cold or not. I take it as does DS10 and hour or 1 1/2 hours before the flight, this has helped a lot

 

[andijean]

Everytime we have gone to see the mouse my boys have been sick...ear infections, colds, vomitting. First let me tell you to not worry yourself too much. Hopefully it is just a cold and he will be good as new in a day or two. My best recommendations are to give a decongestant and ibuprofen an hour b4 you get on the plane. The hardest part will be the pressure on his eardrums. We have used claritin or sudafed for deongestant. It may make him drowsy, but that will also help with the flight. Also, I recommend purchasing earplanes (they go in their ears the entire flight and help with the pressure). My boys use them even when not sick. Also, make sure you take over the counter meds in your carry on(make sure to put them in a baggie). This way if he is not feeling well you can give him another does, especially if you have a long flight. Also, at Disney I would make sure you use a stroller, so he doesn't get too tired out. Good luck and have fun! Mine have always flown sick, but once we get there the magic kicks and they are doing fine by the next day. Also, if he starts to feel worse while there, you can get him to the doctors. Just ask the front desk.

 

[GoinToDisney]

With all of the news about decongestants, what would you give a 3 year-old if she should need a decongestant? My dd is feeling fine, but I don't know if I can keep her healthy 9 more days and then while we are there. I'd like to be prepared just in case. I would check with her doctor, of course, but what would you do?

 

[Mkrop]

With all of the news about decongestants, what would you give a 3 year-old if she should need a decongestant? My dd is feeling fine, but I don't know if I can keep her healthy 9 more days and then while we are there. I'd like to be prepared just in case. I would check with her doctor, of course, but what would you do?

I would check with the Dr but on my bottle of Childrens's Sudafed, it says ages 2-6 1 tsp full.

Also Clartin is NOT a decongestant it is an antihistamine just like Benadryl. In fact it is slower acting than Benadryl so if you have an allergic reaction you can take it if that is all you have but Bendaryl works faster. (this info recently obtained when DMom had an allergic reaction to tartar sauce and she got hives on her face.) So if you need to drain your ears, you need a decongestant.

 

[Camno's Mama]

Just go and try not to worry! The weather down there will probably help anyway! Nothing helps more when you're sick then being outside in the fresh air. My boys had colds a couple of years ago when we went down there...many of the same symptoms. The little one was five months at the time. The first couple of nights were rough, but after that it was wonderful. (And the only reason the first couple of nights were rough was because he was so little and was having trouble nursing with his stuffy nose. )

Just try to work in some extra rest throughout the day...maybe rent a stroller if you weren't planning on it until he's feeling better. That way he can take a break if he needs to. Have a good time...I'm sure he's so excited! Nothing would make me feel better faster than a vacation!