Sick Twins - Survival Tips Needed

AlishaMay

Both of my girls have terrible head colds, and I think Nanny's is heading into her chest, as she started occasionally barking like a seal last night.  On top of it all, they are both cutting teeth at the same time. 

Even with Tylenol, Orajel, frequent nose suctioning and nose drops, nothing seems to help.  I'm covered in drool, snot and tears, and I've changed 8 diarrhea diapers, and given two baths already today. 

I've tried snuggling them both individually and the other one just wails, then gets the twin being held going too.  Snuggling them both on my lap was a giant fail, with snot everywhere and even more wailing.  DH is working 16 hour days this week, then is out of town for work all next week so he's not available to help.  Everyone else is unavailable or avoiding us like we have the plague  (which we just may), so I'm all on my own here.

Any tips on how the three of us can get though this in one piece?

 

 

leslie13510

Well for starters, try Motrin instead of Tylenol if you haven't already.  Tylenol does nothing for my kids and Motrin is a miracle worker for both pain and fever it seems.

If the cough is still in her chest tomorrow morning, or if their snot is green/yellow and thick instead of think and clear/white... call the pedi if you haven't yet.

Other than that just hang in there.  They won't be sick forever.  What I did when they were both sick was I'd lay them both down on my bed, one on either side of me, and I'd lay on my stomach in between them that way I could cuddle them both at the same time, and they could rub their faces against mine which was what seemed to calm them the fastest.  I know I know, you're now picturing your face covered in snot.  It's totally worth it if it gets them to sleep for a bit though. 

And if they do fall asleep... lay there and relax with them.  Don't get up to do dishes or throw laundry in (unless you have to because of the diarrhea thing), just take some time to lay there and breathe calmly in peace and quiet. 

Good luck, and I hope they feel better soon. 

jenn_darrin1515

some things I would try:

setup bouncies in the bathroom and turn on the shower for some steam time...

put one in the wrap/carrier and side hold the other in the rocking chair...and rock and rock and rock...

humidifier.

GL...we are just getting over bad colds in our house...sick babies = miserable...

leslie13510

Oh, and for the congestion you can try steaming up the bathroom and sitting there with them for 10-15 minutes or so.  Then after that time, take them out in the cold (bundled up of course) for a few minutes.  That should help the mucus start breaking up.  I'm not sure why it works, but for some reason it usually does.  I guess for the same reason that my nose will drip and run when I come back inside from shoveling snow or something.  LOL

Also use a humidifier in their room if you're not already.

AlishaMay

Thanks Ladies!

We are doing Ibuprofen at night since it lasts longer.  I had them into the clinic yesterday and the doc calculated the exact amt of Tylenol they can have based on their weight, which was different from the normal weight ranges they suggest - this dose has been helping.

I have also been doing the humidifier with the Vicks oil in it at night - but haven't tried the steamy bathroom trick yet - we'll for sure give that a try tonight.

I'll also give the bed a shot too.  I was trying it out on the floor earlier, but I bet we'd all be more comfortable in the bed. 

lgurian

barking like a seal is a symptom is croup so you may want take them in to make sure about that. other then that i agree with what pp have said. hope they feel better soon!

AlishaMay

lgurian:

barking like a seal is a symptom is croup so you may want take them in to make sure about that. other then that i agree with what pp have said. hope they feel better soon!

Sunday night she had a high fever, etc...and the doc wanted us to go into the ER to have it checked out.  They did a chest x-ray (among other things) and her chest looked fine then.  We had our follow up at the pedi. yesterday, and she sounded okay then, but started coughing overnight.  Do you know, if it can change to croup that fast?  If it continues, I'll give the doc a call tomorrow.

themathgirl

Yes it can - and it usually starts at night. If it isn't too bad they can give them decadron and it stops the trachea from swelling anymore. It really wasn't too bad. Just tell them about the cough that sounded like the seal bark and if she's had any horseness. and that should be enough. I'd call today...

amanda31H

Everyone said what I would have....ibuprofen, shower steam, humidifier, and definitely getting in bed!  I'm sure this is an obvious one, but I also attack the girls with the bulb syringe about every hour when they've had colds.  They HATE it, but I really think it helps to do it frequently.

I hope everyone feels better....and I LOVE your new siggy picture! 

GSwans

We just got over a cold lie this last week.  I know it's ridiculous, but I put them in the car more than a few times last week to go for nice long rides.  They slept comfortably the whole time, because of the sitting upright position, and were less stuffed up.  Plus, I got a little "break" and stopped at a Dunkin' drive thru and enjoyed the ride myself!

GL!

MaygenDL0ve

I have no advice... just wanted to say you are amazing, and I don't know how you do it.. GO YOU!  It hadn't even occurred to me how to keep one from getting the other sick.  Good luck!

sugarpie27

Just wanted to add 2 suggestions to the other posters' tips. The Little Noses brand saline spray has worked much much better for us than drops ever have. Also try a battery-powered snot sucker (I think it's made by Graco). It's a little scary at first, but it cleans those noses out like magic! My twins hate it at first but immediately calm down after it's all over since it helps them breathe so much better.