Disclosure: Products provided by Pfizer Pediatrics. All experiences and opinions are my own. Please speak to your doctor before starting out new medicines.
Since September, I have had only one week each month where no one in my family is sick. I don’t know what’s different this year, but with two in school, and my husband working in a school, our house has become a petri dish. We leave our shoes and jackets in the foyer, and I instruct everyone to wash their hands as they enter the house, but somehow we still become germ infested more than I would expect. I like to always be prepared for whatever symptoms my children have, so I stock up on our go-to meds when we are running low, even if no one is sick at that time. Advil, Dimetapp, and Robitussin are staples in our medicine cabinet right along with the thermometer and soothing bubble bath.
This past week was my oldest daughter’s turn. The school nurse called me and stated my daughter had a cough. At the time I thought it was silly that she called me because my daughter didn’t sound all that bad to me, but by the evening she was complaining of chest tightness as her cough increased. Her doctor instructed me to give her something to help with the cough until he could see her the next morning. He also recommended Children’s Advil if she happened to have a fever at night. Our school nurse made the right call, and instinctively knew this wasn’t just a plain old cough we were dealing with. I guess she sees it all when she’s around a germy school all day long!
The next morning our pediatrician saw my daughter and diagnosed her with an upper respiratory virus and to keep doing what we are doing to manage her symptoms and call him if she feels worse or develops a fever. I guess with the array of viruses going around, like the flu, I’ll take this diagnosis over something much worse. For now we will continue to keep her comfortable and hope this is the end of the family colds that pass around way too quick.
Since it was our school nurse that raised a red flag and alerted us to keep an eye on my daughter, I wanted to share information about the America’s Greatest School Nurse contest. If your school nurse goes above and beyond in educating and comforting their students, you can nominate them at AmericasGreatestSchoolNurse.
Here’s some more information about common over the counter cold meds you can keep in your home in case someone becomes symptomatic before you can take them to the doctor. Please keep in mind I’m not offering medical advice and to speak with your doctor before starting any new medicines with you or your children.
Children’s Advil
This is a must have. From the moment your baby turns 6 months your doctor may start prescribing Children’s Advil for teething, fevers, and pain. Check with your doctor for proper dosing.
Robitussin 12 Hour Cough Relief
This is a brand my mother always kept in the house for coughs, and I continue to use til this day. I love that they offer 12 hour extended relief for coughs, keeping you comfortable even during your most miserable cold symptoms.
Dimetapp
This is another med that my mom use to give to me as a child. I love that they offer daytime and night time formulas, and now there is even a dye-free option for moms like me who prefer to keep artificial dyes out of my children. Dimetapp helps with coughs, stuffiness, and runny nose.
You can find all these options at your local drugstore or Target. Don’t wait until your family is sick to have to run out and get meds. Stay stocked this winter!