Family Sickness Essentials: What We Reach for When Germs Hit

Sickness Essentials

At Bubba & Me, we speak with parents every day who are navigating coughs, colds, tummy bugs and those week-long viruses that move from one family member to another. As parents ourselves, we understand how draining it can feel — the long nights, the reduced appetites, the endless need for comfort and reassurance.

Over time, we’ve each built up a set of products and practices that consistently help us support our families through sickness. They aren’t cures, and they don’t replace medical guidance, but they do bring comfort, nourishment, hydration and a gentle nudge toward recovery.

Below, we’re sharing the things we genuinely rely on in our own homes — the items we keep stocked, the ones we recommend often, and the ones that repeatedly make a noticeable difference.

Symprove – A Daily Probiotic We Come Back to Again and Again

Among the team, Symprove is one of the most consistently used products. When someone in the family is unwell, digestion can be the first thing to go off track. Symprove’s water-based formula means the bacteria survive the stomach acid and actually reach the gut, which is essential when trying to maintain balance during illness.

We find it especially helpful when appetites are low, tummies are unsettled, or when we want to strengthen the gut after a round of sickness has moved through the household. This supplement is to only be consumed by adults.

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Oshun Electrolytes – Gentle Hydration Support for All Ages

One thing we always prioritise during sickness — for adults and children — is hydration. Oshun offers a clean electrolyte blend that feels far more aligned with the way we like to nourish our bodies and our little ones.

It helps replace minerals lost through fever, supports energy levels when everyone is eating less than usual, and is easy to sip throughout the day. Oshun is not to be consumed by children. If you are looking to support electrolyte replenishiment in children think coconut water or speak to your doctor or pharmacist about dioralyte.

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Kefir or Live-Culture Yoghurt – A Simple, Everyday Way to Support the Gut

Whether it’s kefir from Chuckling Goat or another live-culture yoghurt, fermented foods are something we weave in naturally when sickness appears. They’re gentle on the stomach, offer a natural source of probiotics, and pair easily with fruit, oats or smoothies when appetites are fragile.

For many families, this ends up being one of the easiest and most accessible ways to support the gut during and after illness.

Freja Foods Instant Bone Broth – Warm, Comforting, and Nourishing

There’s something deeply soothing about a warm mug of broth when nobody feels well. Freja Foods makes it easy to get that comfort without needing to prepare anything elaborate. Bone broth is naturally rich in protein, minerals and collagen — all of which can be incredibly supportive when energy is low.

We often find that children accept warm broth far more readily than a full meal, especially on days when appetites are limited. You can always add a little bit of small pasta, if their stomachs feel up to it.

Bacitol Probiotics – Extra Support When Illness Lingers

When sickness hangs around or moves through the family member by member, Bacitol is something we turn to for additional support. It works well alongside fermented foods and Symprove, especially once the acute phase has passed and everyone is rebuilding strength.

For parents dealing with repeat colds, coughs or digestive discomfort, it’s often a helpful layer of support. Bacitol offer probiotics for adults and children - please read labels carefully.

How We Use These Products in Real Family Life

Every household is different, but these are the rhythms that feel natural and supportive for us as a team:

• Hydration comes first — electrolytes, water, warm broth, anything that feels easy and comforting.

• Gut support follows — Symprove in the morning, kefir or yoghurt when someone feels up to it, Bacitol during recovery.

• Meals stay simple — soups, potassium and prebiotic rich fruits like bananas and kiwi, toast with nut butter… gentle foods that nourish without effort.

• Rest is prioritised — slower days, soft lighting, warm baths, and reduced stimulation all make recovery smoother.

It’s a calm, practical approach that supports the body without overwhelm.

Why We Approach Sickness Through the Gut First

With around 70% of the immune system housed in the gut, focusing on digestion during illness simply makes sense. When the gut is supported:

• immunity functions more efficiently

• inflammation is reduced

• nutrients are better absorbed

• recovery tends to feel steadier and more manageable

This is why so many of our trusted essentials revolve around gut health and hydration — two pillars that often get overlooked but make a real difference.

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