We rang in the new year with the stomach flu. Not the way I planned to start 2018, but I did notice something about myself as I was dealing with the aftermath – I have a distinct method of handling the stomach flu with this many people in the house.
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First of all, I have a sixth sense about this whole vomiting thing. I can hear a child getting ready to vomit from several doors down while I am fast asleep. Rarely do I catch them in time, but occasionally I can. And I just know when it’s the flu and when it is something else. So, I could tell when my little 3 year old started to crater the Saturday after Christmas. She was laying around and not doing her usual grazing through the kitchen. That night, she started in throwing up, and I prayed the baby wouldn’t get it while I was done dealing with the 3 year old. It is so much easier to only need to help one really little sick person at a time. 2 days later, the rest of the kids started dropping like flies. First the 7 year old, then the 4 year old, then the baby, then the 11 year old – all in one night. And that’s when I kicked into Mommy Overdrive.
Here’s how I handled the stomach flu with my large family…
Gather the junk towels and trash cans
We keep a basket of junk towels for cleaning day and snow days and wiping down the dog after his bath, etc. When it’s sick day, they get used en masse! I do not use my regular bath towels for this sort of clean up, but you do need towels. I also pull trash cans from wherever I can, throw in a few paper towels at the bottom, and keep them near the sickies. I also try to give them blankets that aren’t too difficult to wash. The fuzzy blanket that sheds onto everything in the washer is OFF LIMITS. Small fleece throw blankets work really well.
Put everyone who can kind-of fend for themselves in one area
We have a large couch in the living room, and that’s where I gather the sickies who can mostly fend for themselves. If I only have a couple, I’ll often spend the night on the couch with them. This last time I had so many my 13 year old daughter stayed out with a couple of the older ones, while I was dealing with the smaller ones in my room.
Put those who cannot fend for themselves in your bedroom
We currently have a toddler bed in our room, but before that, I just put kids on pallets on the floor with a trash can nearby. I keep the younger ones in with me so that I can help them make it to the trash can. I don’t always succeed, but I have better luck when they are right there next to me.
Hold the baby
When I have a sick baby, there’s no point to trying to keep them in the crib. Babies and toddlers tend to throw up more often than older kids, so you end up changing sheets and blankets and jammies multiple times if you try to keep them in their own beds. So, I just hold them.
I have a recliner and end table in my room, so that becomes my home until the worst of it is over. I keep 1-2 wet washcloths on the end table along with 1-2 large junk bath towels. I also have a pile of junk towels and small blankets on the floor nearby. I usually have a water for myself, but only if I have someone who can take the baby for me so I can go to the bathroom periodically! (just telling it like it is!) I also keep my cell phone close for something to do. I have this little owl cell phone holder that I purchased when we were in the hospital with Mercy.
When the baby starts to throw up, I sit her up, put my hand underneath the outstretched towel and put it underneath her chin, and do my best to keep it contained and off of her and me. This makes it where I don’t have to change baby all the time, and I can just toss the towel over the side of the chair when it’s too soiled to be of anymore use. (Gross, but helpful information.)
While Mercy was sick, Creed (age 4) was also sick in the toddler bed. At one point, he did not make it to the trash can and I had to call in one of my older kids to hold baby while I quickly cleaned up and got him settled again. If you don’t have a secondary baby holder, lay the baby down and pray she doesn’t throw up while you clean as fast as you can!
Don’t worry (too much) about containment
Here’s my theory – you can’t truly contain sickness in a large family household (or any household, for that matter). By the time you realize there is sickness in the house, everyone has already been exposed. In our home, you help out until you get sick. Keep your hands washed and things cleaned up as quickly as possible, but don’t think for one moment you are going to escape it – unless you happen to have immunity to that particular strain and then yay for you!
However, we learned the hard way that no one should step foot in your house until the sickness has been gone 10-14 days. It lives there – especially in the winter months when you can’t air out the house. Sadly, a couple of years ago, we invited friends over too soon, and they all came down with the stomach virus. As much as I’d like to think we had nothing to do with it, I’m pretty sure we did.
Keep up on the laundry
Whatever you do, DO NOT let this one slip. I did laundry round the clock (and killed my already-ailing dryer in the process…but that’s another story). If you have an allergy setting on your washer, use it. Otherwise, wash in hot and add a bit of tea tree oil to the wash if you like. What kept me going was the understanding that if I went down and the laundry wasn’t caught up, we would be in a world of hurt. Often, I would keep the laundry going and then call in one of the older children to fold and put away.
Find a way to get aftercare supplies
If you can remember to keep certain things on hand all the time, that’s great, but this time I got caught off guard. I texted a neighbor and begged her to grab me easy-on-the-tummy foods (bananas, applesauce, crackers) and post-flu drinks (G2 and pedialyte) and leave them on my porch. I’d settle up with her later. If you or your husband head out the grab things just make sure you wash your hands thoroughly and try not to breathe on anyone. But, it really is advisable to just keep things on hand (note to self).
Don’t move too quickly into the recovery phase
I used to not give any water until a child hadn’t thrown up for over an hour. However, I now give sips of water if the vomiting is relentless and I think the child is getting dehydrated. Dehydration becomes a vicious cycle if you aren’t careful. But you will have to police the water intake – especially with those wily toddlers.
I only let them drink the first 3-5 hours. Then they get a cracker. If that stays down for 30 minutes, I let them have another. We do that for a couple of hours, and then I move to applesauce or a bit of banana or broth, but always pushing liquids first. I’d much rather they drink than eat.
If they have done well for a full 24 hours, then I add in toast with a tiny bit of butter or chicken noodle soup. After 48 hours, the older kids are usually fine to eat just about anything, but the younger ones almost always relapse if I try any dairy or fatty foods. Case in point, 3 year old Aspen had a small amount of bacon 48 hours after she stopped throwing up and threw up again. And I gave baby Mercy a bottle of formula 48 hours after she stopped throwing up and she started in again as well. I should have just kept pushing the clear fluids and bland foods at least another 24-48 hours with both of them. (note to self…again.)
So, there you have it – my method for dealing with the stomach flu. Not a pretty subject, but one that moms everywhere know all too well! What are your tried and true stomach flu tips? Be sure to leave them in the comments section!
Carla says
I always let them have water after they threw up. It helps to remove the puke taste and chances are that some of it will be absorbed even if they throw up again in 20 minutes. It helps to stave off dehydration and (as my mom always said) if nothing else, it gives them something to throw up…. even water is better than dry heaves.
Loved the reminder to have bland foods on hand! I had forgotten that the last time!
Amy says
Moms are pretty smart, aren’t they? 😉
Jodie says
You handle the “sickies” the same way I do. It always seems that the first family member gets it then a couple of days later everyone else – if it is that type of bug. Once the first kid has it, I have spare 2 litre ice-cream containers stacked in the hallway, each with a facecloth, so I can grab one quickly when I hear the first retch (cringe!) I handle the reintroduction of food the same as you. My criteria is you have to have stopped vomiting for a few hours, be okay with sips of water before you have a cracker to “test the waters”. If that’s okay then you get some chicken soup, then ease in to cooked apple, toast etc.
The good thing is these bugs are generally 12-24 hours if you are careful with the food and drink, so I keep my chin up by focusing on the time frame.
Agree about the aftermath food supplies – I always intend to be prepared but I normally get caught out. I think it’s wishful thinking that it won’t ever happen again 🙂
Amy says
Love the ice cream bucket idea!
Michelle says
We manage the tummy bug similarly in our large household. The last time we had it which was a few months ago, I did try a different technique to try and prevent or lessen the symptoms. I bought 100% grape juice and on the onset of exposure most of us started drinking it. Surprisingly it helped 6 out of the 11 of us! Either it worked as it said it would by changing the pH balance in the lining of our stomachs or we just got lucky! On the downside we really don’t like grape juice that much anymore because we drank it so much during that time 🙁
Thank you for all your tips on managing a large household they’re always helpful?
Amy says
Ha! I’ve had that happen as well with not wanting something you had during a stomach bug ever again!
Richelle says
I thought of trying this…but then thought, if this doesn’t work, I’ll be cleaning up lots of dark purple puke. ?
RD says
We have found that the inexpensive plastic”shoebox” storage containers work great for individual vomit buckets.
We line them with a trash bag (not a grocery bag as those often have holes) and maybe a couple paper towels to absorb liquid.
Because the boxes are low and flat bottomed, they are easy for kids to use and don’t tip over easily. The trash bag can be replaced as needed so no yucky bucket washing.
Vomiting kids get a sheet spread on the living room floor. They rest there with a vomit bucket and watch movies. Works great for us!
Amy says
Great ideas! That makes good sense using something that won’t tip!
Heather says
I give activated charcoal at the first sign of stomach issues. It is safe. And we haven’t had stomach issues last more than 6-12 hours as a result. We also issue buckets, sand pails, to sick children, easier to clean and carry when ready to empty. If I am not sleep deprived, the buckets are lined with plastic grocery bags. All areas with Sickies are lined with old towels to protect furniture and carpet. Recently I have learned that nux vomica will stop most vomiting and some nausea that is given as needed. We use a homemade Gatorade recipe that my kids seem to tolerate better than store bought. Anyone not sick gets oregano oil and large doses of liposomal vitamin C. This has given us a 57-71% chance of staying healthy. We also air out the house Laura Ingalls style post illness.
Amy says
I really like your idea of laying out towels on the furniture to protect it! I wish I had done that this time because I had one child who didn’t make it. We had to clean and air out the couch cushions.
MotherOf4Girls says
We do this too…everyone gets their hair tied back (all girls here!) and a thick towel ontop of their pillow and resting space. They get 2 bowls so if they stop puking I can dump and incase they start again while Im dumping they have a new one already. Everyone gets a glass of water to sip only-prevents dry heaves. Brat diet once they are not puking every hour…BANANA, RICE, APPLESAICE or TOAST (breads/grains like crackers). They are only allowed to nibble on crackers or a piece of toast. My husband never gets ill, so he’s usually the clean up crew while I manage TLC. We use bentonite to absorb the virus …it works wonders for those that are starting to get a rumbbly tummy but not sick yet…or recovering. Not so helpful while they are puking 😉 We mix it with a bit of powder for flavour.
Cindy says
Have you ever looked into using homeopathy. It can stop these symptoms pretty quickly. We quarantine as many kids in our room except they seem to want to be near us all..lol. it becomes a movie day for everyone. I start giving everyone who has not gotten preventative homeopathy (although in saying that it’s hard to prevent with homeopathy..i just give the cold and flu one that starts with an “o”). Pray you have all recovered well. It can be very draining. Happy New Year!
Amy says
I typically don’t try to stop the flu, but we all have pretty healthy immune systems (all of the kids were done throwing up within 4-6 hours – other than the couple of relapses). And you are right – they always want to be near us! They love the fact that sick days are movie days!
Melissa says
I keep a stash of the larger sour cream containers and each child has one by their beds at all times in case tummy troubles hit in the night. Most of my kids can hit a bucket and cleanup is a breeze. When our babies are sick we sit up with them like you do and when they get restless and seem like they may be sick we just put the bucket under their chin. Its small enough to fit well and cleanup is so easy then. And I wipe surfaces with clorox wipes a lot. We are a family of 7 and this usually keeps at least some of the crew healthy.
Amy says
I’ve never tried to actually get the baby to throw up in the bucket (isn’t it funny how we moms can tell just by how they are acting that we need to set them up!). Might have to do that next time!
Nola says
LOL one of mine when she was 10 months we put a bowl in her crib and told her if she could to throw up in there. She actually did. I don’t know that this would work with all kids. But it worked for her. She was also my train-herself potty trainer. Maybe its just her personality.
KB says
First I pray CONSTANTLY that the Lord will protect me and keep me from getting it 🙂 I layer the couch or bed with towels and a flannel sheet to catch any throw up. I also layer the floor beneath where they are laying. We use white towels that I bleach in general, So I use these. I also have been known to make a bed layered bed on the floor of the bathroom for the really sick one (we only have one bathroom, so the whole process is an interesting feat! We try to promote making it the toilet to throw up for the older ones, but it all depends!I wash my hands constantly too!
Diana says
This is pretty much what we do too! Thank you for laying it out so practically! This past month we’ve had two stomach bugs rolling through, so I’ve been busy with everything you mention. And yes, you’re so right – there’s no point in trying to avoid it, because it’s impossible to avoid in a closed household!! 🙂
Nola says
As soon as anyone has the flu, I set up the rest thinking they might get it in the night. I put towels around them, remove anything not easily washed like stuffed animals, and put a bowl next to them, with instructions where it is if they feel like they are going to throw up. It doesn’t always work but sometimes it does. Every time it lands in a bucket or bowl instead of on the bedding/floor is a bonus! Also if someone complains of their stomach hurting or doesn’t want to eat, its best to get set up! I also tell my older kids if they have to throw up, best is in the toilet, second is in the sink, 3rd is on the hard floor (not carpet). They seemed to grasp that concept.
I always give water. Water is better than dry heaves. Also its better than ending up throwing up some strange thing that happened to me once- I started throwing up black mucousy stuff. not sure what that was. Probably should have got it checked out. I’ve never thrown up so much in my life and that was what happened when I didn’t get enough to drink and kept throwing up.
Richelle says
Wish I had read this last year when we all had the 6 day stomach bug! I like to keep solo cups on hand for when the dreaded stomach bug strikes. The kids take them everywhere they go. If they use them, I just dump it out and into the trash. I also use my white board to track medicine dosages and times given. When you have multiple kids running fevers, it can all run together.
Joy says
Wow. That is some serious stomach flu! I’m praising the Lord we haven’t been hit by that strain. Something I do should diarrhea be involved, is to put any potty trained toddlers in a pull-up. It’s just easier. I also reserve sippy cups for times of sickness only. I fill them with diluted Performance (think all-natural Gatorade) and let them drink to their heart’s content provided it isn’t coming right back up. Should we need to give pain reliever, we keep a small piece of paper (per child) with the date, time, med and dosage on it to help keep track of who got what when. When they’re running a fever, I take their temp each time before giving them meds and write that down as well. It’s an easy way to monitor if the fever is going down or not.
Jen says
Thanks so much for your tips! We “only” have four :). But your blog has taught me so much!
I’ve used your towel and blanket trick! Keeping laundry in the go is also a must! This past year, I’ve kept a case of Costco’s Powerade ready to go in the garage, gravol in the med bucket and at least o e extra box of saltines in the pantry…with lots of ginger ale 🙂
Lysol wipes have saved us! I have anxiety about vomiting- I’ve akways immediately quarantined the sick people to their own bathroom- that may do the trick for us….we’ve gotten lucky- so far all six of us hasn’t succumbed at the same time- yet :(. My nightmare Amy!
Happy, happy new year!
Angela Thomas says
We use 7up and rice which usually works.
Debbie says
Popsicles, popsicles and popsicles. I think these are best. Cools them down and they get little “sips “ At a time. They are also happy to get them.
crystal says
i totally use the towel method too! i cover all surfaces especially pillows with towels. i also roll up area rugs in advance – someone is likely to miss the toilet and it’s easier to wipe the floor than have more to wash! plus I give each sick kid their own washcloth for wiping their faces. i also make sure the girls all have their hair pulled back.
Linda says
I started using those cheap plastic table cloths to protect furniture. and floors. I cover the floor around the furniture and tuck them under a blanket or sheet that they lie on. They wipe easily and dry quickly for reuse!
Rachel says
Since kids who are vomiting often can’t stop with just a sip of water, I freeze clear Gatorade in ice cube trays (fill each “well” halfway) so that vomiting kids can suck on one. It keeps their mouths moist without putting too much liquid in their bellies too early. Babies can be fed a crushed “Gator ice” (as my kids call it) with a spoon. When the bout is over, all of my kids talk about how good this Gator ice tasted when they were in the thick of it.
Amy says
That’s a great idea, Rachel!
Denise says
Last year we had an awful bug going around our house. My 10 month old was vomiting for a week straight! I ended up taking her to pediatrician and they taught me to use a medicine dropper and fill it with Gatorade and drop it into the child’s cheek not to fast. It doesn’t get into their stomach’s so they end up puking BUT it mimics an IV and gets absorbed into the cheek. It has saved our kids so much. But I’m big on laying towels around everywhere and Amazon has the vomit bags that hospitals give for sale. It’s been a life saver.
Amy says
This is a fantastic idea! Thank you for sharing!