Cold & Flu Season Starring Vicks & Braun Review

Raise your right hand if you or someone that resides under your roof is currently sniffling, sneezing or coughing. Too bad I can't see through my monitor. I bet there were a lot of hands. There are five in my house alone.

We finally got over our tummy bugs and immediately starting having stuffy noses and bad allergies. Humidifiers are constantly going, thermometers are at the ready and tissues are by every one's bedside. My voice sounds like a prank phone caller's. The first night we came down with this, both boys were hacking and coughing most of the night. The next day, I pulled out the humidifiers and they haven't coughed at night since. They really work for us. I keep taking the boys temperatures to make sure they don't have one. They are so squirmy and wiggly that's it hard to hold a thermometer under their arms for very long.

Luckily, I was recently introduced to three innovative products that have made my job as mommy nurse much easier. Here are my go to items the last couple of weeks...
 
An ear thermometer is a must here. The boys move and don't like me to take their temperature, but with an ear thermometer, I can get a reading super fast. I know that the fever is one of the first signs of the flu, so I am every vigilant about keeping an eye out for symptoms. I found the Braun ThermoScan® Ear Thermometer to be super easy to get started with and use. I love that there is a guidance system that lets me know if it is positioned correctly. With other models I never feel like I have the tip inserted just right. Lastly, I LOVE that I don't have to wash the end between uses, because of the disposable lens filters. Here are the specs...

Braun ThermoScan® Ear Thermometer

•  Braun ThermoScan Ear Thermometer is used by most pediatricians and hospitals - so moms know it’s the best
• Braun’s exclusive patented ExacTemp technology offers unparalled accuracy through a pre-warmed tip that minimizes the cooling effect from the introduction of a cold sensor in the ear
• The Guidance system ensures proper placement in the ear to avoid any misreads
• Multiple memory function lets mom easily monitor the progress of a fever, which can also be important when communicating with your doctor.
• Can be used from birth and up.

The Braun ThermoScan ExacTemp Ear Thermometer (IRT4520) has an SRP of $39.99 - $49.99.


For hubby and I, I like to keep a regular thermometer around for oral temperatures. The Vicks ComfortFlex InSight Thermometer is also wonderful for keeping in the diaper bag and taking along with us for the kids. Also, how many times have you tried to take a temperature at night and had trouble reading it due to the darkness? I love that it is backlit and color coded to let me know if the temp is "ok", "mild" or "high". This thermometer is easy to use and I love the flexible end. It's also nice to keep a thermometer in each room of the house so I don't have to go searching.

Vicks ComfortFlex Thermometer

One of the first things new parents need to learn is how to interpret the meaning of their child’s temperature. Vicks digital thermometers with Fever Insight feature a large color-changing display to help parents know when things are getting better or worse at a glance. The display changes color from green to yellow to red to help parents identify and track a fever.

For use orally, rectally or under the arm, the Vicks SpeedRead Insight Thermometer and Vicks ComfortFlex InSight Thermometer take accurate readings in as little as 8 seconds and feature a large, circular display for easy reading. Even middle-of-the-night readings are made easier by the convenient backlight. Both thermometers are waterproof for easy cleaning, and have memory recall to help parents keep track as fevers progress.

The Vicks ComfortFlex InSight Thermometer has an SRP of $9-$14.
 
Last, but certainly not least, I need humidifiers in each room, especially at night. I told you above how much these help the boys at night with their coughing. The one I have been using in my youngest son's room is the Vicks Pediatric GermFree Cool Mist Humidifier. It is very easy to get started with and refill. Like I said before, it really seems to help my youngest son stop coughing and sleep better. Here are the specs...

Vicks Pediatrics GermFree Cool Mist Humidifier

• Kills up to 99.9% of bacteria, mold and fungi
• Patented germ-killing UV light chamber
• Naturally helps relieve cough and cold symptoms
• Automatic moisture balance system that naturally adjusts output for maximum comfort
• Works with soothing Vicks Menthol & Soothing Sleepy Time VapoPads
• Large 1-gallon tank is easy to carry, fill and clean
• Runs up to 24 hours on one filling

Now that I've told you about some of the products that are helping us during our bouts with illness, I'd like to share some tips I received from Dr. Jennifer Trachtenberg on how to make this year’s cold and flu season a little more endurable for both children and parents.

Don’t get Mouthy with Me!
Replace your child's toothbrush frequently and keep it separate from other family members' brushes when sick. If penny pinching, try soaking it in mouthwash after each use.

Mommy’s Dearest
Fever is often one of the first signs of the flu. When temperature-taking, reach for what’s trusted. The Braun ThermoScan Ear Thermometer, which is used most by pediatricians and moms, features a pre-warmed tip and guidance system to ensure consistent readings. Vicks digital thermometers, which are pocket-sized and great for on-the-go, have a large display that changes color to help parents identify a fever.

Find a Little Teapot, Short & Stout
Try using a neti pot to loosen and rid mucus, thereby clearing nasal passages. Neti pots have been used in India for centuries as one of the disciplines of yoga. For nasal congestion in babies, consider using 2-3 drops of nasal saline drops in each nostril, which are gentler, to help loosen and clear mucus.

Better than a Spoonful of Sugar
Soothe sore throats and help the medicine go down by gargling with salt water. This is the safest, least expensive way to reduce scratchiness and swelling in the tissues. Mix one teaspoon of salt per pint of warm water to create the gargle.

Black & White and Read All Over
Before tossing out an old phone book or using it to prop a door, try propping something else. Lying down can worsen congestion and increase sinus pressure and pain. Place a phone book or two under your mattress at night to elevate the head and lessen over-night congestion. If you have an infant, you can also prop a crib mattress to create elevation.

Bedside Manner
Humidifiers keep the mucus membranes of the throat and nasal passages hydrated, allowing the tiny hairs in the airway to work at expelling germs. Throughout the night, try using a cool mist humidifier to soothe cold and cough symptoms, like the new Vicks GermFree Humidifier that kills up to 99.9% of mold and bacteria in the water.

Jennifer Trachtenberg, MD, FAAP, is chief pediatric officer for RealAge.com and a mom of three active young children. The nationally renowned parenting expert and board-certified pediatrician has practiced pediatric and adolescent medicine for more than 14 years and maintains a successful private practice in New York City. She is also an assistant clinical professor in pediatrics at The Mount Sinai Medical Center and a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Fine Print: I received the items reviewed in this post at no charge for the purpose of trying them out and giving my honest opinion. The opinions and experiences are mine and you may not have the same experience. Please do your research to see if these products are right for you and your family.