Everyday with Jakie

No one really prepares you for how hard it is to see your baby sick.

The first time Rowan wasn’t feeling well, I realized quickly that it wasn’t just about having the right products, it was about feeling a little more prepared, a little less panicked, and knowing I could support him through it.

When Rowan was about 8 months old, he got RSV, and I’ll be honest it was one of the scariest moments of motherhood for me.

Seeing your baby struggle when they don’t understand what’s happening is a feeling I wouldn’t wish on anyone. The constant monitoring, the worry, the not knowing what the next hour would bring- it was overwhelming. Even with support and guidance, the emotional weight of it all stayed with me.

That experience changed the way I approach sick seasons. It taught me that being prepared isn’t about controlling the situation — it’s about giving yourself a little peace of mind when things feel out of your hands.

Everything I’m sharing below comes from that place. Not fear, not perfection — just what helped us feel a little more grounded during really hard days.

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Sick Baby Essentials

✔️ A reliable thermometer- Knowing when to worry and when to breathe made a huge difference. Having one that was easy to use gave me confidence during long nights.

• Vicks SpeedRead Digital Thermometer– My absolute favorite! I love that it tells you when their temp is considered a fever based on the Color-Coded Readings.

✔️ Nasal care basics- Congestion can be tough on babies. Simple tools that helped clear his nose made feeding and sleeping easier.

• NoseFrida Nasal Aspirator: My siblings loved using this and it worked great, but I could not get over the fear of getting a booger in my mouth and had to switch to the electric
• Electric NoseFrida Nasal Aspirator: Loved seeing how quick it got all the gunk out, but you absolutely have to wash it after each use
• Saline Drops: I learned one drop in each nostril will help loosen everything and make it easier to suck out

✔️ A humidifier- Dry air made symptoms worse for us. Adding moisture helped Rowan breathe more comfortably, especially at night.

• Humidifier: we typically only use ours when he’s sick since we have hard water and they get dirty pretty quickly
• Essential Oil: Dual use! We put this in his bath and you could see how much better he was breathing
  • After his bath we would smother him in chest rub! We put it on his chest, back and bottom of his feet

✔️ Medicine basics (when recommended)- Having pediatric-approved medicine on hand and always using it as directed helped us feel prepared instead of scrambling. Remember to dose based of their weight not what the labels say so they can actually benefit from the medicine.

• Tylenol/Acetaminophen

• Motrin/Ibuprofen

✔️ Comfort items- Sometimes comfort mattered more than anything else. A favorite blanket, a familiar toy, or just extra snuggles made a difference.

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One thing I learned quickly is that sick days don’t follow a schedule. They’re long, emotional, and exhausting for both baby and parent.

Giving myself permission to slow down, ask for help, and focus only on comfort helped more than any product ever could.

If you’re reading this while your baby is sick, please know you’re not doing anything wrong. Being there, loving them, and doing your best is enough 🤍

This post reflects our personal experience and is not medical advice. Always consult your pediatrician with concerns about your child’s health.