Stomach Bug Survival Kit

Whether you need to run to the store for your family or you want to bless someone else’s family whose  has been hit by the stomach bug, here is a list of survival items we’ve found essential to weathering the storm.

• Saltines: Mild carb, easy to digest.
• Sprite: Sugar helps balance electrolytes and fights dehydration.
• Chicken noodle soup: Salt also helps balance electrolytes. I’ve found chicken and rice soups to be more unpleasant to throw up. The rice gets stuck in the throat. The noodles slide back up easily.
• Jello: Sugar and Salt for electrolytes and smoothly travels up and down.
• Pedialyte: For electrolytes and fights dehydration, use sparingly since it is pretty strong and overuse can actually induce diarrhea.
• Wet wipes: Because you can’t give them a bath every time they vomit on themselves.
• Lysol III: It’s the only cleaner (aside from bleach) that I’m aware of that kills stomach bug viruses.
• Rubbing alcohol: For cleaning cloth furniture that has been vomited on. It disinfects and evaporates quickly.
• Paper towels: For vomit clean up.

Luxury Items:

• Spearmint essential oil diluted in water (brown bottle): I spray this inside their cleaned vomit bowls to keep the vomit smell at bay (which can make them feel more nauseous).
• Nice smelling all-purpose cleaner: To use as needed.
• Laundry detergent: Because we do a lot of extra laundry during these times!
• Diapers (if sickies are at that age): We go through double (triple?) the amount of diapers we go through normally.
• Entertainment: Thankfully we have Netflix, but  if that isn’t available, bring some movies or stories on tape to help keep the kids entertained while they are laying down.
• Food for mom: Often mom will end up neglecting to eat because she is so busy with the kids. Bring her something easy to eat (a sandwich, a ready made salad, protein smoothie?) and maybe some coffee to keep her going strong.
• Garbage bags: For mess control!
• Straws: Because it is better sip then gulp when you are throwing up a lot.