Sick Kid Essentials We Always Keep On Hand

A wonderful and effective little aspirator that allows you to easily suck away baby's nasal mucus for instant congestion relief. The yuck stays in the cylinder, and a filter prevents any transfer of ickiness to the mouth.

This simple nasal mist is great for clearing stuffy noses or helping to relieve allergy symptoms. The larger size works well for kids once they are ready to move on from the smaller baby-size products, and it's a sick day essential worth keeping around for the adults, too.

Alexandra F. said:  I always have a few unopened bottles of these on hand, as you never know when you're going to need one! (And you don't want to share bottles to avoid spreading germs.) You can get a great deal on a 3-pack at Costco. It's crazy how something as simple as this can do so much to ease those cold and allergy symptoms.

It's amazing how well these wipes work to quickly clean even the crustiest of noses with natural saline.

This cute bunny soothes minor bumps with a reusable "ice cube" insert that you can keep in the freezer.

Kristy Pepping said:  This makes for a cute add-on to a baby shower gift. We have several of these and keep them in the freezer. For little bumps and bruises, they soothe little ones and bring down swelling quickly.

Add this handy electrolyte powder to water to quickly rehydrate sick kids, with less sugar than typical sports drinks.

Kelly R said:  I like to keep this Pedialyte powder on hand because it doesn't take up much pantry room, and it is there whenever I need it. Saves me from having to bring a sick child out to the store!

Accurate, reliable ear thermometer has been a parent favorite for years.

Kristy Pepping said:  We received this baby must-have as a shower gift and are still using it years later with our three children. It always gives up an accurate reading and has helped to know when to see the doctor.

This infant-friendly saline works really well to clear out and moisturize stuffy noses, and can be used as a spray or as drops.

There is such a variety of Band-Aid designs that your kids' favorite characters are sure to be covered, and the chance to choose a fun one makes them much more likely to cooperate with taking care of their injury. They also make wonderful and cheap stocking stuffers or Easter egg fillers.

Baby and kid-friendly humidifier is easy to clean and has a large capacity, so you'll have to refill less often.

Kim Rogers said:  We ended up buying a second one to have in the nursery and mom/dads bedroom. Immediately helped clear up newborn congestion.

Gina I. said:  Being congested is the worst! Fortunately, all it takes is just a few minutes using a neti pot for fast, lasting relief. It's safe for both adults and children (be sure to follow directions and ONLY use distilled or sterile water). The neti pot flushes mucous out of the nasal cavity, making it easier and more comfortable to breathe through the nose. This is a must-have for cold and flu season!

Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:  My oldest son produces excess ear wax that he used to have professionally removed by a doctor when he was younger. Then I discovered these ear cleaning gems at the store and gave it a try. They are safe, easy to use and truly get the excess wax out without any pain or damage. The scoop is flexible and small enough to easily get the wax out of a child or adult's ear - just be sure your child is old enough to sit still.

Alexandra F. said:  We discovered these comfortable masks during the pandemic, and continue to make good use of them for allergies, poor air quality days, and to avoid spreading germs when we are sick but need to go out. They are reusable, breathable, and come in a variety of sizes, colors and patterns.

These adhesive cooling sheets provide fever relief for hours, much longer than a cool washcloth.

Kristy Pepping said:  Every time the seasons change, my kids seem to have a fever. These strips instantly cool them down. You simply peel off the back and stick it on their forehead. It brings their fever down and they like it because it looks like a big sticker!

Plug-in releases menthol vapor for congestion relief at night, and has a nightlight so it's easier to check on your sick child.

Kristy Pepping said:  For little kids who can't take a lot of medicine, these are great to plug into their room. They come with cartridges that let off Vicks vapor and help clear their stuffy heads so they can sleep better.

Kristy Pepping said:  We bought one of these for our third child who was hospitalized with RSV. Once she got home, we used this to clear her head as much as possible when she had head colds. It works really well and offers a little more power than the bulb variety.