The sick day kit
The Emergency Kit is the bag you pack in advance. This one is for the day itself: the thermometer, the nose, the drinks, the sofa, and the numbers you'll want within reach when your little one wakes up hot. Tick as you go. We'll remember where you left off.
Temperature & medicine
Check the dates and the doses the day you pack it. A bottle that expired in spring is no use at midnight.
- A digital thermometerand a rectal one for babies under three months
- Paracetamol in the right strength for your child's agewith its own syringe
- Ibuprofen in the right strengthfrom the age your doctor is happy with
- A medicine dispenserfor babies who spit it back out
- Cooling patchesfor comfort
- A notebook or a note on your phonefor every dose and the time
Nose & breathing
Saline first, then suction. A clear nose is the difference between a baby who feeds and one who can't.
- Saline drops or spray for babies
- A nasal aspirator, plus spare filters
- A cool-mist machine for the bedroomplain water only, no oils
- Tissues and soft muslinsfar more than you think
Drinks & easy food
On a sick day, drinks matter more than food. Small and often wins.
- Their usual milkwith extra feeds offered
- A favourite cup or bottlefor small sips
- Ice lolliesmade from fruit purée or diluted juice
- Oral rehydration sachetsif your pharmacist recommends them for your child's age
- Plain, easy foodtoast, rice, bananas, yogurt
Comfort & rest
Sick children want you, the sofa, and the same film four times. Let them have all three.
- A soft blanket for daytime cuddles on the sofanot for the cot under one
- Their comfort toywashed and ready
- Spare pyjamas and spare cot sheets
- An old towel and a bowlin case of sickness
- A hooded towelfor a quick warm bath once they perk up
- Books, puzzles and a few quiet things to do
Numbers & plans
Save these before you need them. Nobody finds a phone number easily with a crying child on her hip.
- Your doctor's number, and the clinic's after-hours number
- The nearest emergency departmentsaved in your phone's maps
- Your child's weight, written downdoses go by weight
- The nursery's numberand their rule for coming back after illness
- Who covers your work if you need to stay home
For you
Sick days are long. Look after the person doing the looking after.
- A hot water bottle for your own back on the sofanever in a baby's bed
- Coffee or teaand someone to make it
- Hand wash by every sinkso it stops with them
- Lavender oilfor your pillow, not theirs
- An early nightthe moment they finally sleep
Most sick days end the same way: a long nap, a cooler forehead, and a child asking for food again. Pack this once, check it every couple of months, and keep the Emergency Kit beside it. That one is for the day you can't plan for.
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