Kids are around other little kids all the time and have lower immune systems than adults, so they tend to get sicker more frequently. When your little one is under the weather, it can be a difficult thing to witness. While you may not be able to instantly cure your child, there are a few things you can do at home to help him or her feel more comfortable.

Give Your Child Plenty of Fluids

If your child is sick, he or she is more likely to get dehydrated. That is why you should make sure your little one has plenty to drink. Try to have your child drink at least eight cups of water a day. Soup and popsicles can also help hydrate your child.

Encourage Rest

When the flu comes, your child needs even more rest than usual. However, if your little one is like most other kids, he or she will probably get antsy staying in bed all day and want to move around. Explain to your child that getting plenty of rest will help him or her recover faster. If your child is having difficulty falling asleep, read a book or massage his or her head.

Distract Your Child

To help your child forget about a stuffy noise, fever and other unpleasant symptoms, offer some distractions. For example, you could tell your child an interesting story or play a simple board game with him or her. If your little one is entertained, he or she may not think about the symptoms for a while.

Use a Humidifier

If your child is complaining about a stuffy nose, put a humidifier in his or her room. A humidifier will add moisture to the room, which will help loosen up some of the congestion.

Give Your Child Over-the-Counter Relief

Muscle aches and fever are common symptoms of the flu and can cause a lot of discomfort. If your child is experiencing these symptoms, you can give him or some Tylenol. This over-the-counter medication will help reduce inflammation throughout the body, helping your little one feel better. Be sure to follow the dosage instructions on the package.

If you follow these tips, you can help your sick child feel a little better. However, if your little one has a fever that lasts more than a couple of days or isn't eating or drinking, make an appointment with the pediatrician immediately.