It's Sunshine Awareness Week at Kitchen Stewardship! I'm burned on half my body as a result of testing natural sunscreens...be sure to check all this week's posts for the scoop on what works, what doesn't, and when (if?) we need sunblock at all, along with over $400 in sun protection giveaways. Check out the natural sunblock review for the scoop.
Make sure you don't miss a thing by subscribing via RSS or email.
‘Tis the season…for sick kids.
One of my worst fears is vomit getting on things that are hard to clean. It used to be vomit in general, but having kids lowers your standards for bodily excretions.
I decided it was about time to post my two best “cleaning up after throw up” tips last Sunday, and wouldn’t you know it – Lovey Girl threw up in her car seat on the way to Bible Study Monday morning. (Who’s in charge here???) So having lived through it once again, I now have THREE sick kid tips for you today. Can I get a “Woo hoo?”
- Double sheet the beds. I never thought this would be something worth sharing, because I thought everyone knew it, but last year at a friend’s twin’s baby shower I discovered that almost none of my friends knew this trick. For quick and easy clean up of not just throw-up, but baby spit-up, wetting the bed, and poopy blow-outs, double sheets are imperative. You can get a messy crib ready for a fussy baby with one hand within 15 seconds. Please don’t think I’m speaking down to you when I explain exactly how this is done. Again, I wouldn’t do it if my dear friend and mother of three hadn’t said, “Double sheeting never works for me because the pee always goes through to the second sheet anyway.” Dear friends, you need TWO waterproof pads. This is key.
First the waterproof pad on top of the mattress...
...then sheet number one...
...then another waterproof pad (this is a nice one that goes all the way around the mattress, but any old crib-sized pad will do)...
...and finally your top sheet. Ta da!
Added Bonus: If you worry about your child’s mattress off-gassing because you can’t afford organic, there are now more layers between your baby and the chemicals.
Timesaver: When the top sheet gets messed on, you just pull it and the pad underneath off, bunch them off and… - Throw yucky clothes in the bathtub. When babies, toddlers, and preschoolers throw up, you never quite know where it will go. The toilet is a long shot for this age group. Clothing, carpet, couches, and blankets are all likely targets, and children aren’t about to be calm and content while you take care of germ-infested, stench-filled garments. You can’t always get them right to the washing machine and address the vomit issue right away. You don’t want to spread anything around the house. (I’m convinced that parents of babies get sick when the babies get sick because of poopy diapers and getting thrown up on. How can you avoid the virus when it’s all over you?)The solution? Use your bathtub as a staging ground. For most people, the bathroom is central enough to the bedrooms that it’s quick and easy to get there. You can wash and sanitize the hard surface easily (later, when the kids are feeling better). Sometimes when babies are sick with a throw-up bug, the pile of clothes (yours + theirs + bedding) can become impressive after a few hours of unpredictable projectile puking. Take it easy on yourself and toss everything in the tub until further notice.(Sorry, no picture of a pile of pukey clothes in my bathtub. I actually used this trick today because Lovey Girl spread yogurt and applesauce on her jeans while I was distracted on the phone trying to reconnect our Internet…but I didn’t think you really needed to see that. It’s a pretty simple concept.)
- Freeze homemade chicken stock in ice cube trays. One cube of stock is just the right amount for a child with an uncertain stomach. Nourishing broth and maybe a cracker are just the right things for a first “meal” after tossing your cookies all night long. It’s nice to have it on hand and easy to heat up.
After that, you might need a cube of broth and some double sheets, yourself. Everyone feeling okay? (And by the way…anyone have tips for me for getting every last bit of yuck and the smell out of the carseat buckles and cover?)
I don’t often talk about vomit; usually it’s just the food going in that’s the topic around here! Interested? Sign up for an email subscription or grab my reader feed.
If you missed the last Monday Mission, click here.
Kitchen Stewardship is dedicated to balancing God’s gifts of time, health, earth and money. If you feel called to such a mission, read more at Mission, Method, and Mary and Martha Moments.
This post is perfect for Works for Me Wednesday at We are THAT Family and Homemaker Mondays at 11th Heaven.
More Don’t-Get-Sick-or-Sicker Tips
- Why you shouldn’t use BLEACH when you clean up after that vomit-y mess!
- What SHOULD you use to clean up?
- Think you need antibacterial soap to stay well? Think again…
- Keeper of the Home has an excellent post: One Mom’s Guide to Avoiding Swine Flu Naturally
Hungry for more? Related posts:
Timely post, no doubt, with flu season and all!
That double sheet idea is genius. We’ve ended up putting kids to sleep on the floor in the middle of the night when it’s hard to get the bed made again.
As for the carseat, did you actually toss the entire cover in the wash? That’s what I do. A cold wash and air dry will keep it in good shape, but get out everything you can’t get by wiping. As for the buckles, try a wet cue tip. They get in hard to reach spots (or an old toothbrush).
Stephanie @ Keeper of the Home´s last blog ..Goals and Plans for a Slower Season
[Reply to this comment]
Katie Reply:
November 12th, 2009 at 1:27 am
Stephanie,
Katie
How I wish the cover was machine washable! I realized that your flu post was perfect to link to this one, so I did that, too.
[Reply to this comment]
Gross! But great ideas. When the kids are a little older I have them take the bathroom trash container to bed with them in case they can’t make it to the bathroom. I am lucky that my youngest is almost 7 so I am mostly out of that stage.
[Reply to this comment]
I’ve done the double sheeting thing!! And I too have been perplexed that people don’t know about it.
My oldest is 5 and he gets a big bowl or small trash can right by his bed if he’s sick that way he doesn’t even have to worry about trying to make it to the toilet.
The carseat cover and all straps can come off and go straight in the washer (just don’t dry them unless it says you can!). The buckles and other plastic parts can go in the sink with dish soap.
Laura V.´s last blog ..Baking day summary
[Reply to this comment]
Thanks for this tip! No kids yet, but I’ll definitely keep this in the back of my mind. Also wondering where you got your organic mattress.
K @ Prudent and Practical´s last blog ..Basement Remodel Begins
[Reply to this comment]
Katie Reply:
November 11th, 2009 at 11:01 pm
K,
Katie
I don’t have an organic mattress…that’s why I comfort myself with the extra layers of fabric b/t baby and the mattress. I *wish* I had one, though!
[Reply to this comment]
Years ago my husband stumbled upon using Baby Magic soap to help in cleaning up vomit. It is the only thing he could find to take the smell out of our furniture or car seats when one of our small ones were sick.
[Reply to this comment]
The double sheet thing was something my mommy friends told me about at my baby shower. What a great tip! I’ve been prepared for the crib mess, but never had to deal with it…my son tend to throw up all over the couch, carpet, kitchen, etc. Bleh. We’ve been fortunate not to have to clean up any carseat messes yet.
I used to use the bathtub for a staging area, but now I use a big plastic bucket in the laundry room. I keep it half full of water and stain remover, and dump in dirty clothes, cleaning clothes, etc, then pop them in the washer with the next appropriate load.
Cara´s last blog ..Gastroparesis: Always Feeling Like You Just Ate Thanksgiving Dinner
[Reply to this comment]
I wish I had known about the double sheet thing! Great tip.
My youngest is 9 and he can run and make it to the toilet. My oldest is 11 and he can’t. It’s so ridiculous and it’s hard to be compassionate when he just lays there and throws up all over himself. Grr.
When 11 yr old had Swine flu a few weeks ago, he puked on the carpet & sofa (and his school books, yikes!). I blotted the vomit as best I could after cleaning it. Then I sprayed vinegar and heavily sprinkled baking soda over the vinegar. I left that to sit overnight and then vacuumed it up in the morning. No smell, no stain, and the flu was over. Yay.
Hope your kids feel better soon.
Paula´s last blog ..Christmas Music, Already!
[Reply to this comment]
Great tips! I’d never heard about the double sheet thing. I’m making some stock today; I’ll be sure to freeze some in case of illness.
We used to use my mom’s silver bowls from the kitchen to throw up in, but my husband introduced me to a double-bagged garbage can (since I’m usually the one throwing up and he doesn’t really want to clean it up).
You can take the covers and buckles off most car seats and wash them in the washing machine. Do it in hot water, it won’t hurt them. Remove from dryer and fit back on car seat when still slightly damp to prevent shrinkage.
Mrs. Mordecai´s last blog ..Red Chief says . . .
[Reply to this comment]
Excellent post. A few times I’ve put pukey things in the washer and had it clog up with the solids! So it is important to get those off before heading to the washer.
Also teach your slow-pokes to yell “Jason Jason get the basin!”
Leila´s last blog ..Start-up costs: Why it’s not a good idea to use up ALL you have before you buy more.
[Reply to this comment]
I am PRAYING that I’m not jinxing myself by reading this post
Great tips though. It hit us HARD last year around this time and we ALL got it. I like the tub idea b/c I was sick and running up and down the stairs got old quick. Good tips with the sheets too. I had a girlfriend tell me this last year and it is a lifesaver!
becky @ our sweet peas´s last blog ..A few of my favorite things….
[Reply to this comment]
leaving it out in the sunshine helped my carseat alot
and Febreeze………. I know, TOTALLY NOT REAL 
– but it does smell nice……….. and my MIL bought it after my son did THAT in his carseat so I used it!
Jen´s last blog ..Egg Nog
[Reply to this comment]
I have to say I’m feeling a bit embarrassed that I never thought of the double sheet thing before. That sure would have saved a lot of time on many pukey nights. Oh well! Thanks for the advice! My kids are still pretty young, so I’ll be going the double sheet route from here on out. I don’t leave comments very often, but I do subscribe to your blog, and I really enjoy your posts. Thanks again!!
[Reply to this comment]
Great tips! I will add Barf Bucks for older children. This even worked for my 3 yo. You make it to the potty, mama gives you a dollar. I am a mom to 8, soon to be 9 and I picked this up from a mom to a dozen. I would call that tried and true!!
[Reply to this comment]
Katie Reply:
November 13th, 2009 at 8:56 am
LOL!! My son loves $, this will totally work for him!
[Reply to this comment]
Great tips!! I really like the idea of freezing stock in ice cube trays. I never seem to have the good stuff on hand when I need it.
Cheryl@SomewhatCrunchy´s last blog ..The Best Split Pea Soup Ever
[Reply to this comment]
What a great idea! Will definitely keep this in mind when it’s my turn.
Jendeis´s last blog ..Day of Detox
[Reply to this comment]
My 11 yo just threw up on the carpet, etc for the first time in 6 years. I needed your tips and the ones in the comment section too. Thanks!
[Reply to this comment]
Great tips. Naps in the kitchen, or other non-carpeted area, are key for us. I move the mattress from the co-sleeper into the kitchen for Ellie to nap or just flop on while she’s sick. That way anything that ends up on the floor is not tough to clean. And I can have her nearby while I’m getting kitchen stuff done. I have a friend whose mother put her to bed in the tub when she was vomity, but yours is probably already full of vomit stuff by that point.
[Reply to this comment]
Katie Reply:
November 19th, 2009 at 11:02 pm
Wow, those are fabulous ideas!
[Reply to this comment]