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Monday, December 28, 2009
Moms don’t get “sick days”
It’s no secret I’m squeamish when it comes to potentially germy things like door handles, faucets and children (including my own).
But no matter how fiercely I combat cooties, I occasionally lose the battle.
With a baby in the house again my germ warfare has become compulsive, however, no amount of Lysol wipes or hand sanitizer proved to be weapon enough this time.
It started with Nick and a runny nose, progressed to The Sister in the form of a fever and then I was attacked. My luck had run out and I was quickly reminded, moms don’t get “sick days.”
My pillow taunted me as I muddled through the day, packing lunches and changing the diapers of a baby who was also miserable with congestion - her tears of frustration only adding insult to injury.
I reminisced to the days when over-the-counter cough and congestion medications were available for infants. Oh, how I had taken that for granted.
This time we resorted to the recommended simpler methods of “relief.” Ever try to put saline nose drops into an infant’s nostrils? It’s kind of like water-boarding.
The humidifier and Vapor Rub didn’t help much either. So, Baby Girl was forced to suffer through the symptoms of her first cold while Mommy found minimal relief with cough drops.
Sleep came at a premium, and Nick’s runny nose woke him up at precisely the moment The Sister closed her eyes and Mommy finally hit the sheets. No rest for the weary - except for my husband who could sleep through a freight train in the living room.
By the time Nick was back in bed with his Vapor Plug emitting soothing eucalyptus, The Sister was awake again, begging for her nose to be suctioned so she could use her pacifier.
Hesitant to go running to the pediatrician for just a cold, I finally gave in and made a call to his office.
“Is there a top secret solution to relieving a baby’s stuffy nose?” I pleaded.
Stopping short of providing me with a secret potion, the nurse informed me I was doing the best I could and essentially, this too shall pass.
And pass it did, albeit slowly.
We’re all on the mend and back to disinfecting the door knobs.
What are your secrets to making your little one’s feel better when illness strikes?
Email this contributing writer at Motherhoodcolumn@yahoo.com.
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