30+ Questions First-Time Parents Ask About Common Illnesses and Their Children Under 4

Once upon a time, your adorable baby was warm and cozy in your womb, safe from most of the world's dangers. However, not long after your wee one made his debut, you realized how impossible it is to keep your baby out of harm's way, particularly that of germs, viruses, and infections. What can a parent do?

Babies, toddlers, and preschoolers get sick far more often than kids, teenagers, and adults. While older kids get roughly 6 viral illnesses each year, preschool-aged children and younger children typically catch 12 (source, source). How to treat your child's illness, and when to seek medical attention varies by age.

I am not a doctor, so the answers to the questions below are linked to studies and articles you can read for further understanding. Creating a foundational understanding of the illnesses your little one faces and how to treat them will help you ask your pediatrician more specific questions. 

Always consult your pediatrician about medical advice!

15 Questions First-Time Parents Ask About Common Illnesses and Their Babies

First-time parents may be surprised by how easily their newborn can catch illnesses, which, if not handled well, could become more serious. Driven by a strong desire to do something—anything—that could help their baby, some parents turn to the internet's mixed bag of information.

Having found myself in such a situation multiple times over the years, I combined the most common questions newborn parents ask about illness into one article.

1. Which Illnesses Are the Most Common in Newborns?

Newborns are particularly susceptible to common illnesses because they do not have a fully developed immune system until around 3 months old (source). They can catch just about anything you can, and plenty of things that are mere inconveniences to an adult's immune system could be overwhelming to a newborn's.

This list can be impossibly long, so here are a few of the most common illnesses and infections to watch out for (and the ones you will hear the most about):

• the common cold (often from rhinovirus)

• RSV

• Influenza (flu)

• Pneumonia

• Hand-Foot-Mouth Disease

• Gastroenteritis

• Conjunctivitis (pink eye)

• Whooping Cough

• Otitis Media (ear infection)

• Bronchitis

• Bronchiolitis

Treatment for these illnesses depends on whether a virus or bacteria causes them, the age of your baby, and the extent of the illness. Your pediatrician will give you specific instructions on treatment and managing your baby's symptoms safely at home.

Some illnesses and diseases can be avoided or lessened by vaccination. Read A Quick Guide to Baby Vaccinations in the U.S. to learn more about your baby's vaccination schedule, which ones are necessary, and which ones are optional.

2. How Do I Know If It Is Just a Runny Nose or Something Worse?

This age-old question will pop up relentlessly throughout your little one's first years! A runny nose is one thing, but if it is unfortunately accompanied by fever, difficulty breathing, or diarrhea, you should immediately assume it is something worse and contact your pediatrician.

More seriously, go to the Emergency Room if your newborn displays any of the following symptoms:

• diarrhea (3 diapers or throughout the day or night)

• fever (above 100.4°F or 38°C for 1-3 month olds)

• "rattle" in the chest

• decreased appetite

• less than 3 poopy diapers in 24 hours

• less than 8 wet diapers in 24 hours (dehydration)

• vomiting (hardly keeping anything down)

• persistent or spreading skin rash

• wheezing

• labored breathing (sucking in the top of the belly or the trachea)

The danger for newborns is that their rapidly developing bodies and weak immune systems do not handle medicine well (or do so unpredictably), and their young systems cannot easily overcome illnesses on their own (source).

So, should any of the symptoms above happen, go to your nearest Emergency Room to get immediate help for your newborn. The risk of one symptom leading to another is high at this age, and it happens quickly!

What Medical Tools Will Help My Baby At Home?

You don't need tons of medical gear to safeguard your baby at home, though having a few tools in addition to your typical first aid kit will ease your mind. 

Add a stethoscope to listen to your little one's lungs when sick with a respiratory illness. Wheezing and rattling are indicators of more serious illness and can be easily monitored with a stethoscope.

Another welcome addition to a newborn's first aid kit is a baby saline spray, a nose bulb, and a NoseFrida. As gross a concept as a NoseFrida is, it is a fantastic way to help manage your little one's excess mucus!

On the pricier end, a pulse oximeter for babies brings peace of mind during a respiratory illness, particularly after a hospital stay. Illnesses like RSV and its common companion, bronchiolitis, make breathing so difficult that getting enough oxygen can be a struggle.

Diaper rash cream and Aquaphor are incredibly helpful for easing your baby's diaper rash discomfort. Unscented soap will also reduce irritants!

3. Can a Newborn Have Antibiotics?

Yes, a newborn can be given antibiotics to treat a bacterial infection when necessary. Ideally, antibiotics can be avoided altogether, but it is better to treat an infection than to allow it to spread.

The most common antibiotics for babies are amoxicillin and gentamicin (source). However, antibiotics should only be given to your newborn when prescribed by a pediatrician.

Questions to ask your pediatrician about antibiotics for your newborn (or child of any age) include:

• How to manage symptoms until the antibiotics kick in

• What foods and drinks to avoid while on antibiotics

• What impact antibiotics can have on your child's health when used every year

• Inquiries about how to build your child's gut microbiome back after antibiotics (antibiotics wipe out good and bad bacteria, causing digestive upset)

4. Can a Newborn Have Over-the-Counter Medicine?

Never give a newborn over-the-counter medicine without a pediatrician's approval. Such medicines are not approved for newborns and could have serious side effects. Even babies and toddlers under 2 years old should not receive over-the-counter medication without a pediatrician's approval.

Under two years of age, medication is given based on the weight and age of your child. Since every child is different, it's best to ask your pediatrician for specific instructions. Most pediatricians can provide an age and weight chart for approved over-the-counter medications.

At one of your newborn's first checkups, ask your pediatrician for amounts of infant Tylenol that are allowed in cases of fever under 100.4°F (fevers above this before three months of age require a trip to the Emergency Room). This will ensure you can manage your newborn's mild fever at home.

It is NEVER okay to give your child a fraction of adult medication or aspirin! Doing so could cause serious side effects or death (source).

Avoid cough and cold medications for your baby entirely. Most of these liquid medicines contain several ingredients to manage multiple symptoms, but they are not approved for children under 2 years old.

Finally, if your pediatrician prescribes a liquid medication for your baby or toddler, measure the dosage carefully using the measuring cup or syringe that came with it. A kitchen teaspoon can range between 2 and 10mL, which makes it easy to accidentally overdose your child (source).

5. What Are Some Home Remedies That Can Help My Newborn Cough Less?

With healthcare costs through the roof and wait times ridiculously long, many parents turn to home remedies to manage their child's coughing. Thankfully, you can do a few things to avoid a full-blown respiratory illness.

Sitting in the bathroom with a hot, steamy shower running helps loosen mucus. Combined with a saline nasal spray and a nose bulb or NoseFrida, you can relieve your newborn's congestion by sucking mucus out of the nasal passages.

Another way to help your newborn is to make her cough more. In cases where your newborn has an upper respiratory infection, ask your pediatrician about chest physiotherapy. 

This technique involves using a cupped hand or percussor cup to make vibrations that loosen mucus so your baby can cough it up where you can suck it out. Chest percussion should never be done on bare skin, right after a meal, or over the spine. Just a few firm, regular pats for two to four minutes should do the trick (source)!

Which Home Remedies Should I Avoid Giving My Newborn?

However, home remedies that work for toddlers and older children are not always safe for newborns. For instance, honey is an amazing traditional remedy for suppressing coughs and reducing cough frequency for those battling upper respiratory tract infections (source). 

But, babies under one year old should NOT eat honey due to the risk of developing infantile botulism from the Clostridium botulinum bacteria in honey. Infantile botulism causes weakness, constipation, poor feeding, difficulty swallowing, and shortness of breath, among other scary symptoms (source).

You should also avoid giving your newborn herbal teas, juice, and water. Newborns have tiny stomachs and rapidly developing bodies, so they need nutrient-dense breastmilk or formula. Every calorie counts.

Herbal teas have not been thoroughly tested in newborns, while juice contains a lot of sugar. Moreover, giving water to your newborn can make less room for nutritious breastmilk or formula, leading to fewer helpful calories to support the body as it fights illness.

6. Is Lying My Baby on Her Back Dangerous When She Has a Lot of Mucus?

Yes, laying your newborn flat on her back when she is battling mucus can be dangerous. It doesn't take long to hear your wee one struggle once you lay her down! Fortunately, you can make things easier for her.

Holding your newborn upright in a comfy chair throughout the night helps reduce coughing. Your warmth and closeness offer comfort while loosening mucus and regulating your newborn's temperature and breathing (source).

At the very least, put your baby's crib at a gentle incline to keep mucus from pooling in the back of her throat. This could be done with a towel rolled up under the head of the mattress or with something under two legs of the crib. 

Avoid using pillows or blankets rolled up under your baby's head, as these increase the risk of suffocation (source).

7. How Can I Help My Sick Baby Sleep?

Sleep is precious to newborns and their parents, but even more so when sickness strikes! You can do several things to help your little one sleep, but you may get less sleep yourself!

First, get the space ready. Keep the room dark and quiet, and avoid using your phone near your baby. Bright screens will not help! Putting a cool-mist humidifier in the room can ensure the room is not dry enough to irritate that little nose and throat. 

Avoid using essential oils in lotions, candles, wax melts, or diffusers in your baby's room. Their effects on newborns are not well-documented and may be too strong for their delicate senses.

Gently rocking, patting, cuddling, or walking around the room with your baby can also get your little one to sleep. But if mucus is part of your little one's problem, know that changing positions will move mucus and agitate coughing again.

As mentioned above, holding your baby upright in a cozy chair throughout the night will almost certainly give your newborn rest, but it is taxing on you.

Clearing nasal passages with saline spray and suction before bed causes a huge fuss beforehand, but ultimately makes it easier for your wee one to breathe in his sleep. Likewise, a warm bath or shower and feeding before bed can help soothe a sick baby.

8. Does Breastmilk Help My Baby Fight Illnesses?

Yes, breastmilk helps your baby fight illness because it is packed with everything her immature digestive system can break down and use: fats, sugars, proteins, antibodies, and probiotics (source).

Even better, breastmilk is different from person to person and adapts to your baby's needs at various stages of development—it provides what she needs when she needs it (source)! As such, breastfed babies have fewer digestive, lung, and ear infections (source).

Are There Foods or Drinks I Should Avoid While My Breastfed Baby Is Sick?

Generally speaking, what you eat is what your baby eats (and tastes) (source). So, it makes sense that eating a well-balanced diet rich in fiber, vitamins, protein, and minerals will lead to fantastically nutritious breastmilk--the more nutritious, the better for your sick baby.

A common myth is that certain foods make your baby gassy: broccoli, dairy, fried food, spicy food, or lots of veggies. This has not been proven, however (source). 

Your baby may negatively react to strong flavors, but unless you notice a tight belly and lots of gassy upset a few hours after eating something, don't worry about causing gas.

When your little one is sick, do him a favor, and don't give him bad flavors!

9. Should I Keep Other Kids and Adults Away From My Sick Baby?

Has more than one family member come down with sickness? They should keep their distance from your baby, even if your baby is already sick with the same illness.

However, when others are not sick, they should either wash their hands right before holding your sick baby or keep their distance. Adding more germs to the mix can make your already sick baby catch something else.

Washing hands frequently, wiping down surfaces, wearing clean clothes, keeping fingers and hands away from the baby's mouth, and avoiding breathing on a baby's face are all ways to prevent sickness.

For more on avoiding illness, read Keeping Your Baby Healthy: Tips for Protecting Your Baby's Health.

10. What Is the Best Way to Take My Baby's Temperature?

The most accurate way to take your baby's temperature is rectally, which is why the Emergency Room will likely use this method. However, using a temporal artery thermometer on the forehead or an axillary thermometer in the armpit also works (source).

The armpit measurement isn't as accurate as the other two, but you can use it as a starting point. Switch thermometers to one of the other two methods if it shows a fever.

When done at home, the forehead reading is far less stressful than a rectal thermometer and more accurate than an armpit reading.

11. How Do I Keep My Baby Hydrated While Sick?

Sick babies tend to eat less due to excess mucus interfering with breathing and swallowing, or weakness from fever and exhaustion. Regardless of how sick your baby is, staying hydrated is key to recovery.

Dehydration causes a whole slew of symptoms and issues, not the least of which is thicker mucus, which can make breathing more difficult and cause discomfort.

Illness often necessitates more frequent, lighter feedings, even for just 5 minutes every hour. This results in lighter sleep or shorter naps, but keeping your little one hydrated and nourished is worth it!

Bottle-fed babies may need a slower-flowing bottle nipple when they are sick. Again, breathing and eating are more difficult when sick, so slowing the flow will make feedings easier to handle.

How Do I Know When My Baby Is Dehydrated?

Dehydration is dangerous in newborns because it indicates they are not getting enough milk, leading to weight loss, decreased appetite, and even exhaustion. Luckily, you can easily tell when your baby is nearing or already dehydrated.

The first indication of nearing dehydration is fewer wet diapers. Once your milk comes in (if breastfeeding), you should see at least 6 to 8 wet diapers in a 24-hour period. If less than that, try doing more feedings and drinking more water yourself.

If your baby has three or fewer wet diapers in 24 hours, your baby is likely dehydrated and needs medical attention before other problems arise.

Another way to check for dehydration is to watch for the color to come back after pressing your baby's arm, head, leg, or belly. Your baby is hydrated when the color returns to normal within 3 seconds. If the spot remains pale for more than 3 seconds, contact your pediatrician.

12. Does Cold Weather Make My Baby More Likely to Get Sick?

Believe it or not, cold weather doesn't directly make a person sick. It does, however, make the body more susceptible to viruses by constricting blood vessels to maintain body temperature--effectively weakening the immune system (source).

That's why the cold months of October to May in the U.S. are the peak months of illnesses caused by viruses such as the flu, RSV, COVID-19, and rhinovirus. Of course, the nasty counterparts of these viruses are bronchiolitis, bronchitis, and pneumonia--all of which are a serious danger to babies.

You can mitigate the risk of illness for your newborn by avoiding unnecessary outings, washing your hands frequently (especially before picking up your baby or eating), breastfeeding your baby (if possible), keeping your baby warm, and eating a healthy, well-balanced diet.

13. How Hot Is Too Hot for a Baby's Fever?

Between 0 and 3 months, a temperature of 100.4°F / 38°C is too high and requires emergency attention. For babies between 3 and 6 months old, a fever of 102°F / 38.89°C must be treated immediately at the Emergency Room. At 6 months or older, 103°F / 39.4°C is dangerous.

Early on, fevers can be a sign of infection. Since newborn immune systems are so delicate, an infection can be devastating to the body; hence, the trip to the ER (source).

A little one between 3 and 6 months old is not quite out of the woods with a fever. At this age, the immune system is far more capable but may still struggle with prolonged illness or several symptoms piling up.

At six months old and later, fever plus symptoms are a cause for concern. For instance, if your child displays the following, you likely don't need to visit the ER before 103°F or 39.4°C (source):

• alertness

• smiling

• interest in playing

• drinking well

• normal skin color

• looking totally normal when the temperature comes down

How Can I Regulate My Newborn's Temperature Without Medicine?

Regardless of your confidence in bringing down your newborn's fever, you should inform your pediatrician or go to the ER if it is a "hot" fever for your baby's age (as described above). You can manage slight fever cases at home.

Slight fevers in newborns are often the result of overdressing or being wrapped in a blanket because newborns cannot regulate their body temperature well on their own yet.

So, if your newborn pops a slight fever (under 100.4°F or 38°C), determine whether it is due to that adorable sweater onesie or polyester blanket. 

In cases where the fever appears on its own, your baby's body may be trying to fight something off. Expect fussiness, frustrated eating, difficulty sleeping, long and hard sleep, redness, or sweating.

You can try any of the following to regulate your newborn's temperature at home:

• skin-to-skin contact

• napping on you without a blanket

• giving a lukewarm sponge bath

• dressing in light clothing

• cooling the room a couple of degrees

• keeping hydrated with frequent feedings

If the fever does not break or worsens, contact your pediatrician.

14. What Types of Baby Poop Should Concern Me?

A poopy diaper is a fantastic indicator of how your little one is doing on the inside. As you've probably noticed already, there are many types of baby poop, and not all of them are concerning.

Here is a chart to help you discern poopy diapers and know when to call your pediatrician (source):

15. When Can My Baby Go Back to Daycare After Being Sick?

Ideally, your newborn will not attend daycare until three months old for the sake of having a stronger immune system. When illness inevitably strikes, and your baby recovers, you can return to daycare 24 hours after the fever has broken, as long as other concerning symptoms have passed.

If your baby has any of the following, please skip the daycare and seek instructions for treatment from your pediatrician, as they could be symptoms of a contagious virus (source): 

• a fever

• weakness or tiredness

• diarrhea

• vomiting

• wheezing or shortness of breath

• a rattly cough

• yellow or green eye drainage

• a persistent rash

• pain in the ears, head, or throat

Your little one can return to daycare once you get the pediatrician's all-clear.

If you are on the fence about putting your little one into daycare, read Should I Go Back to Work After Having My Baby? Ultimately, there is no right or wrong answer. But weighing the obvious pros and cons can help you make the best decision for your family.

15 Questions First-Time Parents Ask About Common Illnesses and Their Toddlers

In the toddler years, your little one's body is far more robust and able to handle illness. Odds are that you are less likely to hover over your sick toddler's bed for fear of her choking on mucus. Woohoo! However, your toddler likely still gets sick — a lot. The best thing you can do is be prepared for when it happens!

First-time parents quickly realize that toddlers often get sick, even if they don't attend daycare! However, knowing what to expect beforehand and having the necessities on hand will make managing your sick toddler far easier. Understanding when your little one needs to see the pediatrician or go to the ER is vital!

1. Which Illnesses Are the Most Common in Toddlers?

Your toddler (12 - 36 months old) is likely walking now and getting into everything. Who can blame him? He has simply watched everyone else getting into things for his whole life; now it's his turn! Unfortunately, hands-on exploration means exposure to lots of germs and viruses.

When I say "lots," I mean it! It's common for toddlers and preschoolers to have 8 to 12 respiratory infections, stomach bugs, and colds every year (source). 

Here are the most common illnesses your toddler can get, but this list is not exhaustive (source):

• the common cold

• the flu

• RSV

• ear infections

• sinus infections

• Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease

• stomach bugs

• Pink Eye (conjunctivitis)

• Rotavirus

• Whooping Cough (Pertussis)

When Should I Be Concerned About How Often My Toddler Is Sick?

You should be concerned if your toddler catches more than 12 colds or viruses in a year, has a hard time overcoming infections, loses weight easily during illness, or doesn't seem to be growing at a normal rate (source).

You should talk to your pediatrician if any of these three symptoms are true, especially if your child has had multiple hospitalizations or rounds of antibiotics in the past year.

Any family history of immune disorders should also be shared with your pediatrician to ensure testing happens before severe illness rather than after a concerning bout of illness.

2. How Do I Know When a Runny Nose Is Becoming Something More Serious?

Runny noses on their own are not all that worrisome. However, a runny nose accompanied by high fever, diarrhea, or difficulty breathing is something worse that you should discuss with your pediatrician.

However, if your toddler has one or more of the following symptoms, go to the Emergency Room:

• fast, shallow breaths, sucking in the ribs and trachea, and/or bluish lips

• wheezing

• not urinating for several hours and being unusually tired or sleepy

• a fever of 102.2°F (39°C) or higher

• a stiff neck

• severe stomach pain

• trouble waking and staying awake

• inability to move

• vomiting everything eaten or drunk for more than a day

• seizures

• loss of consciousness

• blood in vomit or stool

• quickly spreading rash

• swelling lips or tongue, hives, and vomiting (allergic reaction)

Identifying something like RSV before it becomes dangerous enough to go to the ER is tricky. Read more in When It's More Than a Cold: RSV in Babies and Toddlers.

What Symptoms Should I Call the Pediatrician for but Not Go to the Emergency Room?

Some symptoms in a toddler need medical attention, but are not urgent enough to warrant a hospital visit.

Such symptoms are:

• lots of yellow or green snot

• a persistent cough that has deepened to a chest cough

• a rattly cough

• pulling at or itching an ear for a day or two

• complaining about an earache

• a low fever (101°F or less) for more than two days

• vomiting some or all food for more than a day

• Pink Eye

• more than a day of lots of crust around the eye after sleeping

• diarrhea for more than a day

• red spots on palms, feet, and the back of the throat

• looking and acting very sick for more than two days

Don't limit yourself to this list! If you are concerned about your little one's health and behavior, it is better to be safe than sorry. Call your pediatrician to ask about your toddler's symptoms.

3. What Medical Supplies Should I Have at Home for My Toddler?

A first aid kit is necessary for all those bumps and bruises your toddler gets! Treating scrapes, cuts, carpet burns, burns, and other wounds right away is the first step toward avoiding more serious health issues.

Washing your hands, eating a variety of healthy foods, drinking plenty of water, and sleeping well are all crucial to maintaining your health and your toddler's! However, viruses and illnesses happen, so having a few things on hand will help you avoid having to take a sick toddler to the store.

• stethoscope

• thermometer

• puke bucket or bowl

• hand sanitizer

• extra pull-ups and wipes

• mattress protector

• saline spray

• NoseFrida (to manage excess mucus)

• pulse oximeter

• Aquaphor

• aloe gel

• calamine lotion (itchy bug bites)

• unscented soap

• toddler cough syrup (like Zarbee's)

• Infant or Children's Tylenol (fever reducer)

• steamer (to soothe coughs)

• chest rub (to soothe coughs)

4. Can Toddlers Have Antibiotics?

Now and then, your toddler will have a cold that settles in the chest and becomes a respiratory infection. Or she will develop an ear or sinus infection. If the infection is bacterial, your pediatrician will probably prescribe antibiotics.

However, if the infection is viral (such as the common cold, RSV, bronchiolitis, the flu, and others), antibiotics will not help. These infections must be managed with fluids, fever tempering, and lots of love.

Are Antibiotics Bad for Toddlers?

No, antibiotics are not bad for toddlers. Certain antibiotics are safe for your little one when needed; however, antibiotics can have side effects, like upset stomachs or diarrhea.

Taking antibiotics more than a few times in the early years can disrupt your child's gut microbiome (the good bacteria necessary for breaking down food into nutrients) and spread more resistant pathogens (source).

So, be sparing with antibiotic use and talk to your pediatrician about ways to help your little one before an illness morphs into an infection that requires antibiotics.

5. Can Toddlers Have Over-the-Counter Medicine?

Yes, but only over-the-counter medicine rated for your toddler's age and weight is safe. Each annual checkup your child attends is an opportunity to ask for a dosing chart for common toddler over-the-counter medications.

Your little one develops rapidly through to about three years old, so anything he eats or drinks can affect him quite a bit. Therefore, you shouldn't dole out Infant's Tylenol for every ache or pain.

Infant's Tylenol, in particular, is excellent for reducing a fever. But, you shouldn't use too much, as the acetaminophen in it can harm the liver or your child's neurodevelopment (source). 

Everything has a cost, especially medication. Medication is more about balancing the benefits and risks of letting the illness continue versus risking potential side effects. Do your research, ask questions, and make full use of non-medicinal remedies, like drinking fluids, hot showers, and steamers first.

As always, ask your pediatrician for a list of acceptable over-the-counter medications, cough syrups, and vitamins, along with their respective doses for your little one's age and weight.

6. Which Home Remedies Help My Toddler Cough Less?

Coughing is miserable for toddlers because it interrupts their sleeping, eating, and drinking habits. Thankfully, home remedies exist to help ease your little one's tired, frustrated feelings.

Before bed, or whenever your little one gets worked up into a coughing fit, put him into a hot shower with a few drops of peppermint or eucalyptus oil on the floor. The warm water and steam help loosen mucus, while the essential oil helps open airways and relieve congestion (source). A little goes a long way!

For sleeping, prop your toddler up with extra pillows so she doesn't sleep flat. Being propped up allows mucus to drain down the back of the throat rather than pooling there. Adding a steamer to the room helps make the air less dry and tickly, which can help relieve irritated throats and sinuses.

Zarbee's Baby Chest Rub is wonderful for littles under 2 years old, and their normal chest rub works for 2-year-olds and older. Oddly enough, putting the rub on the bottoms of my toddlers' feet and covering them with socks seemed to help with nighttime coughing!

Warm teas (like lemon, ginger, and honey) and chicken soup are soothing and genuinely helpful to throats sore from coughing. They help with nutrition and hydration, too (source)!

7. Which Home Remedies Should I Avoid Giving My Toddler?

Home remedies you should avoid giving your toddler include aspirin for fever, tons of honey (totally avoid giving honey to a baby less than 12 months old), decongestants, alcohol, and undiluted essential oils applied directly to the skin or in bath water.

Essential oils are particularly easy to use incorrectly because so much conflicting information exists online. Generally speaking, never use them in direct contact with your toddler or for internal use.

Hot teas rated as safe for toddlers use dried plant leaves, not the far more potent plant oil. Some people like to mix essential oils with a carrier oil for personal use, but this should be avoided for toddlers since they could ingest the oil, get it in their eyes, or be overpowered by it.

8. How Can I Help My Toddler Sleep With a Stomach Bug?

Stomach bugs are awful in toddlerhood because your little one cannot fully express what she feels and may want to push back against everything you do to help ease her pain.

Helping your toddler sleep begins with ensuring there isn't too much on the stomach. Getting in a few small sips before resting helps with hydration and stomach cramps. A couple of plain saltine crackers or part of a popsicle may also sit well enough to make sleep possible. 

But if your little one has a particularly nasty bug that makes her throw up every little sip, you'll have to get your toddler to sleep without anything on the belly. You can do this by doing some chill activities together that your toddler likes, such as reading books, playing with LEGOs, or watching a favorite TV show.

Making the room cool, quiet, and dark can help your little one sleep. Some kids prefer curling up on the couch with a blanket. I find that listening to an audiobook while playing quietly together helps my sick little ones fall asleep faster than anything else. The distraction from feeling bad helps them tremendously.

While your toddler sleeps, keep a bucket or large bowl and a washcloth nearby in case she wakes up to vomit. Pull-ups and mattress protectors are also incredibly helpful during a stomach bug.

9. Are There Foods or Drinks I Should Avoid Giving My Sick Toddler?

Most of us grew up with some kind of comfort food during sick days. Whether that was buttered toast, chicken soup, saltines, sweet tea, or animal crackers, we all feel drawn to those same comforts when sick as adults! But are there foods or drinks we should avoid giving our sick toddlers?

If your toddler eats something small and keeps it down while sick, that is a win! However, snacking on sugar, carbs, and empty calories all day is not ideal.

I teach my kids that what goes in feeds either the "good guys" helping our bodies or the "bad guys" harming our bodies. So, fruits, veggies, simple carbs, dairy, and protein are all excellent choices to help our bodies fight the "bad guys" and recover.

But snacking on fruit snacks, jelly, Sprite, and other sugary foods feeds the "bad guys." It's okay to have some now and then (as long as you meet other nutrition needs), but making wise food choices will help fight the illness.

Surprisingly, my kids grasped this oversimplification well and have actively chosen healthy food for their "good guys" ever since. Of course, I allow the not-so-healthy options to encourage eating, but they understand they should eat healthier foods to balance those choices.

That logic won't work with very young toddlers or super-picky eaters, but it helps some kids!

10. Should I Quarantine My Sick Toddler?

Whether to quarantine your sick toddler depends on what your toddler has and who is around. If your toddler is sick, it's good for your toddler and considerate of others to keep them home from daycare, church, preschool, playdates, birthday parties, and other get-togethers.

Little ones share germs easily, so by the time your toddler shows symptoms, you and your other children are likely already exposed. However, sequestering your little one from younger siblings is still a good idea, especially if he has a fever.

If you decide to quarantine (or attempt to quarantine) your sick toddler from the others, make time to spend with your sick one. Yes, you may get sick doing this, but your little one needs your love, presence, and reassurance that everything will be okay and that this illness isn't her fault.

Promoting and practicing frequent handwashing, wiping down surfaces, and not talking close to each other's faces is crucial for homes with multiple kids.

If you are pregnant with a little one, you'll have to be more careful around sick kids and family members because your immune system is depressed for the baby's sake. Learn more about how to take care of yourself and your precious cargo in 20 Questions First-Time Parents Ask About Health During Pregnancy.

11. How Do I Keep My Toddler Hydrated When Sick?

Staying hydrated is vital to making it through illness and recovering well, but it is difficult to do when your little one is vomiting and suffering from diarrhea. 

Offering fluids frequently in tiny amounts is the best way to go. When my toddlers were fussy and refusing fluids because they felt miserable, I used a syringe to give them "tiny drinks."

I would put different drinks in the syringe each time to make it more fun for them. I would offer warm broth, tea, water, juice, and Pedialyte; it always worked!

How Do I Know When My Toddler Is Dehydrated?

Dehydration is serious in anyone, but especially toddlers and babies. Lack of hydration during these stages of rapid development can quickly result in life-threatening conditions, like electrolyte imbalances, neurological issues, seizures, coma, or kidney injury (source).

The longer a little one is dehydrated, the more damage her body sustains. So, getting ahead of dehydration is critical! The first signs of dehydration in toddlers are the following:

• urinating less than usual

• no urination for more than three hours

• dark-colored urine

• dry mouth and lips

• no tears when crying

• sunken eyes

• rapid heartbeat that doesn't relax

• rapid breathing

• cold or clammy skin

One or more of those symptoms, combined with lethargy, irritability, poor concentration, or difficulty waking up, warrants a trip to the hospital.

12. Does Cold Weather Make My Toddler More Likely to Get Sick?

No, cold weather does not directly make your toddler sick. However, it can make getting sick easier because some viruses, like the common cold, the flu, and RSV, are more common in cold weather (source).

Viruses can effortlessly spread from person to person when we spend a lot of time indoors together. Moreover, dry, cold conditions with very little sunlight are ideal for viruses that hang in the air after a cough or sneeze.

That cold dryness also dries up the mucus in your nose and throat, making it less challenging for viruses to get inside (source). 

Aside from viruses, not being properly bundled in cold weather or getting damp and cold can bring your toddler's body temperature down enough to cause issues like susceptibility to illness, frostbite, or, if he gets cold enough, hypothermia (source).

13. How Hot Is Too Hot for My Toddler's Fever?

A fever of 102.2°F (39°C) or higher is concerning for a toddler (source). If she has a fever this high and acts totally normal, call your pediatrician for pointers. The pediatrician will likely recommend the appropriate dose of Infant Tylenol and home fever management.

However, if your toddler's fever is that high, she's lethargic or doesn't wake up easily, or the fever persists for more than 24 hours, take your little one to the Emergency Room.

How Can I Regulate My Toddler's Temperature Without Medicine?

Low fevers can most likely be managed without medicine, but you must understand what the fever is doing. Fever is the body's attempt to "burn out" an infection or illness. In such cases, managing a fever without medicine can be a way to work with the body.

However, you must be careful to avoid letting the fever get too hot. You can temper a fever with a cool bath or shower (avoid cold showers and baths because they drop your little one's body temperature too much and too quickly), cool washcloths, plenty of fluids, and by removing clothes to a diaper or a light shirt.

Fevers can also flare up with inflammation or heatstroke. If you suspect either of these, go to the Emergency Room.

Again, if the fever persists for more than 24 hours (and especially 48 hours), call your pediatrician.

14. When Can My Toddler Go Back to Daycare After Being Sick?

Your toddler's daycare will have guidelines on this, but most daycares ask you to keep your child home for at least 24 hours after the stomach bug or fever passes.

If your toddler has recently had a respiratory infection, the flu, or some other more serious and extremely contagious illness, ask your pediatrician about when you can let your toddler return to daycare. Sharing is not always caring!

15. Is Extra Screen Time Okay for a Sick Toddler?

Why not? It's next to impossible to keep your sick toddler still so she doesn't work up her cough or stomach aches! A screen will help achieve this.

But if your family doesn't use screens often or your toddler is more interested in books and toys, then encourage those! Screens are not necessary—they are a tool.

Ideally, your toddler will not have unfettered access to a screen or hours of screen time without you being aware of what she is watching. Ask your toddler questions about what just happened or ask her to retell the whole story between episodes. This makes watching TV a bit more productive.

Learn more about screens and toddlers in Toddlers and TV: How Much Screen Time Is Okay?

In a Nutshell

One of the scariest responsibilities of a parent is determining whether your little one simply has the sniffles or something that is about to get worse. Thankfully, you'll get the hang of identifying when your baby or toddler needs to rest or see a pediatrician fairly soon.

Just don't overreact or take chances--newborns are delicate, but they will typically give you plenty of signs to judge the next best step. As for toddlers, they just want to play! When an illness gets in the way, your little one needs you for comfort and care.