Tuesday, September 18, 2007
GHM Top Ten List: How to Clean Up After a Tummy Bug
Posted by Missy W. @ 2:05 PM
So as I mentioned yesterday, Sy was slammed with a random stomach virus. She’s allergic to eggs so sometimes I wonder if she ate something that flew under the radar, or did she just run her hands against the wrong germ pool? Perhaps it’s because the words “Back to School” are in the air, which in my house means, “Back to Sickness.” Germs must throw a party of their own on Labor Day weekend.
My girl tends to pick up every single solitary stomach bug. Some bugs are a few hours, some last a week. She’s a gagger and a hurler by nature, so it’s just her go-to illness. She used to puke down my shirt about every ten days for the first year and a half of her life. Ah, memories.
So anyway, this here house of ours is prepared should we be hit with a vomit-a-thon. After we got back from the hospital in the Spring we were so ready for anything that came our way.
Here’s my first Top Ten List to clean up during and after a tummy bug.
Top Ten Items to Keep You and Your Family Squeaky Clean and Healthy During a Vomit-a-thon
1) Latex Gloves. They help keep down the rate of transmission and keep your hands clean of diaper explosions.
2) Chux, Blue Disposable Underpads. They are like doggy piddle pads for when you are house-training your hound. We learned about them in the hospital because the nurses were constantly putting them under the sheets so they would not have to wipe down the furniture as often. They are often sold in a case of 100, which seems excessive, but I just checked and I only have 8 left. We put them underneath Sy’s sheets (or under a towel) because they are a little crinkly and not very cozy, so this way we just have to wash the sheet and not the rest of the bed, which is great since her bed doesn’t seem to fit in the washing machine.
3) Overnight Diapers. I just figured this one out today! Sy had a pretty crazy explosive diaper and the nighttime diaper was so much more absorbent, nothing leaked out the sides. Seriously, parenting is not for the weak of heart.
4) Ilex. This is that totally fantastic barrier cream I’ll be raving about on a top ten list soon. Sy always ends up with a heinous diaper rash and this really helps alleviate the worst of it. It’s like putting rubber cement on a bottom, but once you get the hang of it, your babe’s sensitive skin will thank you.
5) Lactose-free Milk. Any brand will do. My toddler will only drink milk when sick, but the lactose often irritates her upset tummy even more. Our pediatrician’s office gave us this tip and I love it!
6) Pedialyte. This fluid replenishment tastes enough like juice when mixed with water. Apple flavor is Sy’s favorite. But for the first 2 years she loathed juice, so I could never get any in her. If your child will drink it, it’s a great way to get their system back on track and hydrated. I like the single serving size better since it does not have a long refrigerator shelf life.
7) Baby Acidophilus. I put this in Sy’s milk to help get the good bacteria a leg-up on the bug war, per my pediatrician’s recommendation. I only do it once a day. I suggest getting this at your local health food store or grocery store since a lot of them need to be refrigerated. This is naturally occurring in things like yogurt, but if your kiddo can’t keep it down, this is a great alternative. My pediatrician loves it.
8) Oxy-Clean. This stain remover spray really helps get puke out of lovies, clothes, towels. I like it much better than it’s counterparts like Dreft or Spray and Wash.
9) CleanWell. Here’s an alcohol-free germ killer. It uses thyme so it smells nice, but if you are allergic to thyme like my mom, steer clear!! I really like this stuff. I don’t feel worried about using it on Sy’s hands like I would a germ-killer with alcohol.
10) Now go wash your hands with good old fashioned soap and warm water! Sing a silly birthday song to your hands twice and lather up! If you are being really cautious, you could use paper towels to dry your hands.
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October 12, 2007 @ 3:49 PM
Jennifer said:
Absolutely awesome list! It is the most feared illness in my home by myself of course. This is because I seem to get even though I have done everything to avoid it short of dipping myself in boiling oil!