Not much is certain about parenting, except that kids get sick… and it happens a lot. Just as they get over the sniffles, they come home with a stomach bug, pick up an ear infection, and maybe another cold because why not? To make matters worse, this cycle seems to repeat itself throughout the entire winter season. But never fear! Our favorite TikTok doc, Dr. Meghan Martin, a pediatric emergency medicine doctor and mom of four, recently shared her top cold and flu medicines and products to keep kids (somewhat) comfortable while they’re down for the count.
@beachgem10 Your kids will get sick at the least convenient time, and you’ll both feel better if you have what you need to take care of them! #sick #kids #beprepared #virus #parenting Disclaimer: For educational and entertainment purposes only and should not be regarded as medical advice or replace the advice of your physician.
♬ original sound – Beachgem10
Related: Pediatric Nurse Shares 3 Signs That Your Sick Kid Needs to Go to the ER
Here’s what Dr. Martin puts in her cold & flu box:
1. Vomit bags
Yep. Make sure you always have some of these when your kids are sick. Or even better, carry them with you everywhere. Martin likes these because they’re disposable, twist and tie, and can be easily disposed of in a trash can. Plus, they’re designed to fit your kiddo’s mouth perfectly, which means less chance of the vomit making its way somewhere else—like your car or their bed.
2. Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen
These cold and flu medicines for kids are staples for any parent. You can rotate between the two so kids don’t ever have to feel uncomfortable, and Martin explains that there are different ways to offer them depending on your child’s preferences. “You have tubules, you have liquids, and you can also get the acetaminophen suppositories if they have hand, foot, and mouth or are just refusing meds,” she says.
3. Simple digital thermometer
While the no-touch forehead thermometers have been all the rage, Dr. Martin advises against using them regularly. “They’re expensive, and they’re not accurate,” she says. Her preferred model is the classic digital thermometer. Most of them can take temperatures, orally, under the arm, or rectally, and produce accurate temperature readings within a few seconds.
4. Portable Plus Oximeter
According to Martin, these things work well on medium and normal-sized hands, and while they aren’t as great on tiny hands, the reading will still give you an idea of their heart rate and how their oxygen levels are doing. An important note: Martin mentioned that if you have a darker skin tone, it doesn’t work as well when it gets to the lower numbers. “If you are concerned, ignore this, and just take your kiddo in,” she says.
5. Zyrtec
Instead of Benadryl, Martin recommends keeping Zyrtec on hand for allergic reactions or hives. In fact, the FDA warns against using antihistamines in children ages two or younger and recommends use only for kids ages six and up.
6. Pedialyte packs
If there’s one thing parents know to keep on hand during cold and flu season, it’s rehydrating Pedialyte. But instead of the liquid version, these powered packs can be added to a water bottle. “They fit in the box better than a big jug of the liquid. Kids need to replace sugar and electrolytes when they’re sick and not eating regular food, and this is a balanced way to do that,” says Martin.
7. Saline spray
Martin doesn’t recommend decongestants for kids and is a huge fan of saline spray. She suggests giving older kids the nose mist/spray or buying packets to use in a squeeze bottle to help irrigate their clogged passages, and she emphasizes that parents should not use tap water in these mixtures in any circumstances. For young kids, Martin recommends using a saline mist inhaler, and for babies, nose drops and the Friday Baby snotsucker or a suction bulb are your best bet.
Order nasal aspirator and drops here.
8. Kiddie cough drops
Martin does like to have a kid-friendly version of cough drops on hand to help soothe bad coughs and sore throats, and the brilliant part is that they’re lollipops.
If you’ve got your cold & flu box at the ready, you’re never caught off guard when sickness strikes. Good luck, parents!
