The most important thing to do when your child gets sick is to listen to it. If he says he doesn't need to stay in bed, he probably won't. He may feel better on a sofa with a blanket or duvet.

Whether they are on the sofa or in bed, here is what helps them feel more comfortable:

• Keeping the room airy without being exposed to air. If the room is too hot "they might feel worse

• Give your child plenty to drink. For almost the first day, don't worry about food unless they want to. Then start by trying to persuade them to eat small amounts of food and encourage them to eat nutritious drinks such as milk.

• Give him time for a quiet game, stories, company and rest.

Sick children feel very tired and need lots of rest. Encourage your child to fall asleep when he or she needs it, perhaps with a story to read or on tape or a CD.

Never sleep with a sick child on the sofa, even if you are tired. This increases the chance that the cradle will die. Go to Get Your Child to Sleep for more information on reducing the risk of sudden death in children.

It is stressful to care for a sick child even for several days. So, please, make things easy for yourself. Get rest and sleep when you can, and try to find someone else to take over from time to time and give you a break with that.

Get expert help
If you think your child is sick, contact the neighboring pharmacy first. If the pharmacist cannot help, call your doctor, doctor’s office, or doctor’s service outside the usual time. If your child has signs of a serious illness, call your doctor or transfer them directly to the emergency department of your local hospital.

Most clinics are very supportive for parents of young children. Many of them bring children to the doctor's office without an appointment or visit them at the beginning of the clinic hours. Many doctors also give advice over the phone.

If you find it difficult to contact a doctor or reach the clinic, you can change the doctor. A health visitor, trained nurse, general nurse, doctor and pharmacist can give advice on how to deal with your child's illness. The doctor can treat the child and prescribe the medicine to him. Some health visitors, nurses and pharmacists can also diagnose the disease and prescribe medicines for your child.

Dealing with minor accidents
Many medical clinics, minor injury units, direct centers and pharmacies are equipped to deal with minor injuries, such as cuts or objects confined to the nose or ear