It's Saturday afternoon and your child is complaining that they're ill. Perhaps your baby is lethargic and clingy, or your toddler can't keep their food down. This is a worrying situation as the doctor's surgeries have closed and won't open again until Monday. For parents of children with minor illnesses it's of primary concern to feed, bathe and clothe your child in the best way possible to ensure they get better quickly.

Step one is to take your child's temperature as this should e one of the major benchmark indicators of how poorly they actually are. Try to take it every hour during the day and write it down, so you can see if it's rising steadily or it's spiking at certain times. If they feel hot and clammy loosen their clothing but don't immediately give them a bath. Take off their shirt and put on some cool pajamas, perhaps lay a cold compress across their forehead and get their favorite toy.

If you have an ill baby of 3 months or under then you should be more vigilant with their temperature. The best way to take it is rectally and if it reaches 38° Celsius then it's time to go to the hospital. The younger an infant is, the more serious an illness can be for them, so it's best to be sure. From up to the age of 32 months (three years) you should try to contact your doctor if their temperature reaches anything above 38° Celsius. Use your instincts to tell whether your child is getting enough fluids (have they had diarrhea or been vomiting all the water you've given them?). Take into account their skin color, appetite, willingness to play and their level of alertness.

Don't give children aspirin, but have some children's medication with painkillers just in case. Make sure they're covered up, but not bundled tightly and if the weather is cold, that there is no breeze in the room. If it's a hot day then keep the air well ventilated.

Chicken broth with rice or pasta in it, or bread on the side is great as it will fill them up but they'll also get the nutrients, energy and anti inflammatory properties from it too. Most kids won't eat goji berries because of their taste, but they're incredibly good for aiding the immune system so grind some up in a coffee grinder and add them to a strawberry, mango and banana smoothie for kids above the age of 4. Try flavored jell-o for kids over the age of 6 months. One great way to get kids to hydrate themselves is via homemade ice lollies. Add a teaspoon of gelatin to any mixture (echinacea extract with strong flavors such as orange juice or cordial). Lollies with ginger peel or made with ginger tea are great for settling the stomach.

If you're particularly worried about a child's fever or any of their symptoms ring your local surgery for advice, ring the hospital or look online for reputable medical information. Remember that infants under 3 months with a temperate over 38° Celsius should be taken to hospital.

Stan Tian

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