Shopping·7 min read

11 Products Every Parent Should Have Around for Sick Season

Products for sick season
Sick season products Design: theSkimm | Photo: Welly, Amazon
September 5, 2023

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There’s nothing like fitting an unplanned pharmacy trip in when you’re already overwhelmed with work, household stuff, and multiple people’s schedules — plus your kid isn’t feeling their best. Obviously, there’s no way to avoid last-minute medicine runs when you need a specific prescription, but if you take a second now to stock up on the basics, your future self will thank you. 

Note: This article does not constitute a medical opinion or medical advice, please consult your pediatrician for specific recommendations.

Nose sucker
Target

The famous snotsucker…

Maybe you can’t help cringing when you hear the word “snotsucker.” We don’t blame you. But there will likely come a time when you’ll do just about anything to clear your kid’s nose, and this is one of the only products that can help. If you really can’t stomach the original version (which, to be clear, never actually involves snot going into your mouth), there’s an electric one, too. ($26.49, Target)

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Saline drops
Amazon

Saline drops that work for all ages…

Grab a three-pack — or even two — because you’ll want everyone to have their own bottle. Safe for newborns, this drug-free formula for clearing congestion can be used either as drops (for babies) or a spray (for older kids and adults). ({{dynamicPrice}}, Amazon)

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Popsicles
Good Pop

Popsicles to make hydration a little more fun…

Sometimes when you’re having trouble keeping sick kids hydrated, you need all the help you can get. These popsicles are made with 100% juice and no added sugar, and they ship in juice form, so you can put them in the freezer when needed without taking up a ton of space. ($50/48 popsicles, GoodPop)

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Fever reducer
Tylenol

A fever reducer you don’t want to run out of…

If you struggled to find Tylenol during the shortage last winter, chances are you’re not letting that happen again this year. You shouldn’t hoard, of course, but be sure you have at least a bottle in case of midnight teething pains or fevers. Psst…Some kids ages 2 and up might prefer this chewable version. ({{dynamicPrice}}, Amazon)

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Motrin
Amazon

Another fever reducer to have on hand…

It’s not a bad idea to have a bottle of Tylenol and a bottle of Motrin, in case your doctor recommends alternating them to treat a fever. (Of course, consult your pediatrician with any specific questions.) For infants 6 months and up, grab these concentrated drops. ({{dynamicPrice}}, Amazon)

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bandages
Welly

Fun, brightly-colored bandages…

Never underestimate the power of a cute bandage. We’ve used these things even when there wasn’t an obvious visible injury — sometimes it’s really just the thought (and attention) that counts. Sloths, jellyfish, or sprinkles, anyone? ($7.99+, Welly)

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Rectal thermometer
Amazon

A rectal thermometer for babies…

When your baby gets their first fever, the last thing you want to worry about is scrambling to find the thermometer. Keep this right with your diaper supplies so it’s easy to grab when necessary. It’ll give you a temperature reading in 10 seconds. ($14.95, Amazon)

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Thermometer
Amazon

And a thermometer for the rest of the family…

When you’re ready to graduate to ear and forehead temperature readings, keep this around for quick checks. There’s even a “touchless” feature that lets you check the temperature of a warmed-up bottle. ({{dynamicPrice}}, Amazon)

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Clover honey
Target

A natural remedy that really works…

Until we find a cure for the common cold…honey is what many pediatricians recommend for calming your kid’s cough (just remember, no honey under age 1). Fortunately, it shouldn’t be too hard convincing them to eat some. ($5.39, Target)

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Humidifier
Amazon

A humidifier for the kids’ rooms…

This quiet humidifier is both simple to clean and easy to move around the house. Get it going now so when runny noses or coughs arrive, you’ll have a line of defense. ({{dynamicPrice}}, Amazon)

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Clorox wipes
Amazon

Heavy-duty cleaning wipes…

You don’t need to use these all the time, but if your household is recovering from certain tough-to-kill bugs, you’ll want to take the clean-up to the next level. These wipes go beyond your typical disinfectant wipes, killing everything from MRSA to norovirus. ({{dynamicPrice}}, Amazon)

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