Caring for Toddler with Severe Morning Sickness

Hey T.,

I don't have morning sickness, but I am battling an illness. I do things like read to Jaxson, color with him and lay with him cuddling watching a few of "his movies" Electric Company... etc etc... Have him do things in the room with you and let him show you what he's done. I will also give him a project for the day. Something to make for his Daddy. I have a friend that is pregnant and we have also been making things for the new baby coming.

Good luck, feel better and CONGRATS!!!

Just wanted to say Congratulations on your pregnancy and offer you some cyber hugs. I have been in your situation and with my last pregnancy had 3 children to care for while husband was deployed and my morning sickness was 24/7...Hang in there, this will pass. I did the same thing for mine and felt terrible mommy guilt but also found that we built with blocks, read stories while I felt somewhat better and watched many movies.

If you have a friend or family member that can look after your son for a few hours during the day while you nap or even a moms day out program you might find you can get some much needed sleep and he'll be entertained.

Have you tried upping your protein? This was a challenge for me because it was a challenge to get food in but I had to "graze" and keep food & water on my stomach but sometimes that didn't even help. Chic-Fil-A Chicken Sandwiches were a lifesaver for me, lemon water seemed to help some and salt & vinegar chips...something with the vinegar. Be gentle with yourself and find what works for you.

Peace & Light,
J.

This is horrible, but that's when my oldest was truly introduced to cartoons! Until then he saw Thomas on Saturday mornings and that was about it. I felt so horrible for a few months w/ my second that he really got into Sprout shows, Diego, Dora and some select others. I would give him craft supplies and he did love to play with his train set, but for long periods of time, the cartoons were all that held his interest. ANY time I felt even half-way better, I would take him outside or to the zoo or just play with him, but it was rough for a little while there!

Have you tried Sea Bands wrist bands? You can find them at the drugstore (they're ugly, but it's worth it).They usually helped me get from, "I cannot get off this sofa," to "I still don't feel very good, but I can play with my son or take him somewhere as long as it doesn't require too much from me."

I was sick for the first 5 months of my pregnancies, the second time with a one year old. I just made it work. If I felt really bad I would sit on the floor and play with him so I could not move to much, or have him sit with me while we read or colored. You just do the best you can and accept that for now you have limitations, but that it will not be forever.

TV, TV, TV or whatever else you need to do to get through the day and don't feel guilty!!! He will be fine... kids are resilient! Just remember to dote on him a little extra when you're feeling up to it and have your husband spend some quality time with him. Maybe get some kids movies to watch with him. Hopefully it won't last long and you'll be feeling better soon so that you can make it up to him later. I went through the same thing and my daughter lived and is not traumatized, I promise. And she is a GREAT big sister to our new baby!

Another option is check into one of those hourly daycare places to get him out of the house every once in awhile. We go to KidsPark in Arlington and my daughter LOVES it. It is only $7.50 an hour and that includes a snack. Maybe there's something similar up near you.

We read a lot of books and did a lot of puzzles, playdoh, stamps, stickers, crayons- anything you can do sitting/lying down will work. I sent my husband to the used bookstore for a bunch of "new" books that kept him busy. I hope you feel better soon. I know too well what that's like!

unfortunately if your too sick to play with him there's nothing else you can really can do. I was in the same situation and I called my friend to come over every day that also had a child my daughters age. It was perfect because I had help and entertainment. You might not have someone like that so I'd think of something creative to do with him on the couch. Coloring, flashcards, reading, etc. Leave the physical stuff to your hubby but you can still get your QT in and not feel guilty. Kids will always get bored and fast. Just remember your doing the best you can. It's not easy being pregnant and playing with little one too.

I had the same situation last summer with my oldest son (while pregnant with my now 7 month old). I was a working outside the home mom before then and when I became a SAHM, I thought "awesome, he and I will have a BLAST this summer)...then I got pregnant and was literally nauseous sun up to sun down. It got so bad, and my son had seen me vomitting so often, that he got VERY accustomed to patting my back while I kneeled near the toilet and would bring me water and crackers (I had them at the ready, so he would just go grab them).

Turns out, he was a very considerate and caring little boy and I really saw such a compassionate side of him.

Do you have any friends or family that can take pity on your plight and offer to pick him up every couple of days so that he has something more constructive to do than watch you be sick each day (LOL). I also got really good at coloring with him, all while keeping my head down on the table when it got too overwhelming.

Also, I recommend that you take advantage of the good times (be it an hour or two that you might feel 1/2 way decent) and make those moments count.

Most likely, even as young as he is, he is old enough to be empathetic and knows it feels "yucky" to be sick. Hang in there momma, better days are coming and you'll be able to feel better enough to join him in having a good time.

PS - Whatever you do, don't tell him "the baby is making mommy sick"...My SIL often told my son that and he ended up resentful of "the baby" for a while (until I finally got her to shut up and stop saying that). You can let him just know that mommy isn't feeling well and he'll likely be very protective of you (its very true that little boys are super protective of their moms, even at such a young age).

Hi T.,
Oh how I feel your pain. I spent many a day laying on the floor while a toddler or two were playing all around me. Just do whatever it takes to make it through the pregnancy. He will not be scarred for life. I took zofran and phenegran, and they sometimes didn't work. Try hard to stay hydrated so you don't end up in the hospital. The only thing I could force down for months was frozen drinks. Try to incorporate all the things the other moms suggested too! You can do this.

I second the zofran. It is considered very safe during pregnancy, and it'll help you function enough to attend to your son. Ask your OB... he/she deals with this issue all the time and will be able to help you. I don't have that problem, but my cousin and several of my friends have needed to use zofran to get through their first trimester. Oh, and it doesn't make you a complete zombie like a lot of nausea meds do. Good luck!

T.,
You may need to call your OB. If you are having that many problems with your morning sickness I would think the doctor could give you something. I know with my last child, i had to take meds for nausea for a little while. I hope this helps.

M.

Hi T., have you spoken with your dr about the morning sickness? Sometimes they can prescribe something to help. Exercise (yes I know, you truely don't feel like it) actually does help curb the sickness. Keep some crackers by your bed and munch on a couple of those before you even get up. Then go put your shoes on, load your two year old, and head out in the stroller. The cooler morning air will feel good and then the walk will help with the morning sickness. Drink water throughout the walk and bring some crackers along. You could even bring some ginger ale....ginger is a natural remedy...I lived on ginger snaps the first part of one of my pregnancies.
Good luck and I hope you feel better!

Try taking Zofran. I've had to take it with both my pregnancies. It really helped control the vomiting and help quiet a bit with the nausea. My son would stand over his potty and mimic me while I was throwing up over the big potty. Luckily it didn't scare him, he actually thought it was funny!

Oooh Honey! I am so sorry for you! I feel your pain. I had a Dr who did not believe in medicating morning sickness and have had morning sickness with all four of my pregnancies! upping your protein is a big one. Eat a bit of it every hour. Just a bit. If you can make yourself eat a handful fo almonds or a couple slices of cheese, few bites of chicken anything with protein in it will really help. Also keep hydrated! My dr used to say drink it or eat it even if you know you're going to throw up, then go eat again right after. My first was almost 2 when I was going trough morning sickness. My husband had been activated and we did all the suggested activities below. We would get outside on nice days the minute I was feeling good. I learned not to care what I looked like too much, lol. My oldest did take care of me too. Preggie pops are a great way to buy a few minutes if you realize you've gone too long without food. that's how I'd get my grocery shopping done. I would also have my little boy sit right by me while he watched movies. (yes, I fell into the tv trap too) we snuggled and he would sometimes nap by me. Some of my favorite memories happened during morning sickness. Don't feel bad, you're a good mom. He'll feel your love even if you can't spend your QT the same wasy as before.

I also took Zofran when I was pregnant with my 2nd. I couldn't function otherwise, which meant I couldn't take care of my 2 year old. My doctor is VERY conservative, and he said it was safe during pregnancy, so I was sure it was fine. I only took it when I had to, but it was such a relief!

Eating small amounts all through the day may help. Having something in your stomach seems to help a lot; like 1/2 piece toast, yogurt, 3-4 crackers with peanut butter, water with lemon also helps, 1/2 apple or banana, small salad, 1/2 baked potato. Try this and see. Also suck on peppermint candy and try to stay hydrated with water.
Popsickles and sherbert, too.