One of the most stressful things that parents have to deal with, may in fact be dealing with a sick child. You feel like your hands are tied and that there is really not much you can do for them except what the doctor’s tell you, and sometimes that can be extremely frustrating. Here are some of the rules that I have found in dealing with a child who has suddenly become ill or injured and they really have helped. Obviously if it is a life or death crisis then get to the ER as quickly as you can, or call 911.

If it is not a life or death crisis then take a second to breathe and think. Most of the time our initial reaction to our child becoming ill or injured is to rush into action. This is fine if you are going to stop them from bleeding, or start CPR to keep them breathing, however when your child is ill you must think clearly. Many times a watch and wait approach is the best one. Initially when a child becomes sick or injured, they may react as if they are dying, however, this will usually calm down within a few minutes and then just monitor them closely. Make note of their behaviors, eating, sleeping, and breathing. These will more than likely clue you in to whether or not you need to get them to a doctor.

If you feel like something is wrong but you just don’t know what it is, then by all means trust your instincts and seek medical attention as soon as possible. Very rarely are parental instincts wrong.

The head is a part of the body that tends to bleed a lot, so head injuries are likely to bleed freely for a few minutes before they stop. If the child is vomiting, it is important to keep him hydrated, so give him plenty of liquids, sippable through a straw if possible. Ginger ale can be an effective drink because of the calming effects on the stomach that the ginger provides.

Whenever your child gets sick, just keep your head clear and think about the situation. If you keep these things in mind, then you’ll be able to help the situation along more effectively while avoiding any unnecessary panic that can accompany having a sick or injured child.