As a parent, keeping your kids safe and healthy is a full-time job. Runny noses, bumped knees, and stomachaches are as normal a part of growing up as toys and games. When your little one isn’t feeling good, you look for ways to offer comfort and help ease symptoms. Here are some tips for the next time you are dealing with some of the most common childhood troubles.

Colds and Allergies Season

When your child has a cold or allergy causing nasal congestion and discomfort, there are several ways you can help relieve the symptoms. One of the best ways to help ease your child’s breathing is with a cool mist vaporizer or a steamy bathroom. Keeping the air moist will make it easier for your child to breathe. If you don’t have a vaporizer, go into the bathroom, turn on a hot shower, and let the room fill with steam. Sit with your child or run a regular temperature bath, and let the child inhale the steam for as long as possible. This will give temporary relief for a stopped-up nose.

If your child suffers from seasonal allergies, keeping your HVAC unit clean and in good order is a must. Check with AC Repair Sarasota to schedule yearly maintenance checks and make sure you follow the directions on how often to change your filter. Keeping the air clean goes a long way in helping with allergies.

Stomachaches and Indigestion

Every child gets a stomachache now and again. Whether it is too much cake and ice cream at a birthday party or an intestinal bug, the best thing is for your child is to rest and make sure they sip clear fluids like water, broth, or fruit juice diluted with water. If there is no vomiting, try having your child pass a stool and see if that helps relieve the discomfort.

Other tips to try — feed your child several small meals instead of two or three large ones. Try mild foods like rice, dry toast or crackers, and applesauce at first. Stay away from drinks with high sugar content, caffeine, or carbonation. If the pain increases or localizes to one spot, or if your child is running a fever, call your doctor, as these could be symptoms of something serious.

Bumps, Bruises, Bleeding

If your child tumbles and skins his knee or elbow, wash the area well with soap and water, and cover with an antibiotic cream and a bandage. Covering not only keeps the cut clean, it also keeps your child from bothering it. For bumps and bruises, a cold compress will usually help ease the pain and prevent any swelling. If bleeding is severe or the child complains of severe pain, go to your nearest emergency room for treatment.

There is no way to prevent the occasional childhood illness or injury. But as a mother, you can offer more than just a kiss to make it better. When your child isn’t feeling well, do the most you can to keep him or her comfortable during recovery. In a few days, your child will be up and running around as usual.