Most minor childhood illnesses are caused by viruses and there is a lot you can do at home to help your child to feel better. You will find a advice and guidance on the range of our minor illness pages and self-care pages to help you manage your child's care.
Babies and very young children can’t always tell you what is wrong but they may become irritable, they may cry more than usual, or they may be unusually quiet. Their sleep pattern and appetite might be different to what is usual for them.
Offer small healthy snacks and regular drinks, or if your baby or young child is breastfeeding, continue to offer breastfeeds regularly as this will help to stop them becoming dehydrated.
If your child is ill, the most important thing to do is to listen to them.
If they say they don't need to be in bed, they probably don't. They might feel better on the sofa with a blanket or duvet.
Whether they're in bed or on the sofa, the following will help them feel more comfortable.
- Keep the room airy without being draughty. If the room is too warm, they'll probably feel worse.
- Give your child plenty to drink. For the first day or so don't bother about food unless they want it. After that, start trying to tempt them with bits of food and encouraging them to have nutritious drinks like milk.
- Try to give your child time for quiet games, stories, company and comfort.
- Sick children get very tired and need plenty of rest. Encourage your child to doze off when they need to, perhaps with a story read by you or on a mobile device or CD.
- Never fall asleep with a sick baby on the sofa with you, even if you're both exhausted. This increases the chances of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
Looking after a sick child, even for a couple of days, can be exhausting. This video gives advice that can help.
Get rest and sleep when you can, and try to get somebody else to take over every now and then to give you a break.
Most viruses can be treated at home with rest and infant paracetamol. Most children will get better on their own and you can help manage their symptoms by following these tips.
If you are still worried contact healthcare practitioners:
If you child is still not improving you can seek help and advice on how to treat their illness from the following healthcare practitioners:
- pharmacist or
- your health visitor,
- nurse practitioner,
- or GP
Some health visitors, nurse practitioners and pharmacists can also diagnose illness and prescribe medicines for your child. If your child is ill, first try your local pharmacy. They'll tell you if your child needs to see a GP. The GP surgery may provide advice over the phone, fit your child in for an appointment to provide treatment and prescribe medicines. If your child has signs of serious illness, take them straight to the A&E department of your local hospital.
If you find it difficult to contact your doctor or get to the surgery, you can go to 111 online or, for children under 5, call NHS 111 for medical advice, 24 hours a day.
Remember that you know your child best. If you are not sure whether your child is seriously unwell, call 111 or your GP for advice. If you think your child is seriously unwell call 999 for an ambulance or go to your nearest A&E department.
