3 Things I Had to Unlearn as a Paediatric Nurse… Once I Became a Mum

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If you’d asked me years ago — deep in my role as a Paediatric Nurse Consultant — I would have said I was completely prepared for anything.

I had the knowledge. The clinical experience. The exposure to emergencies, critical illness, and everything in between.

But then I became a mum.

And I quickly realised… real life doesn’t look like a hospital.

There’s no team behind you. No monitors. No time to “think it through” when your child is unwell at 2am.

Just you — and the decisions you have to make in the moment.

And with that came a huge shift in how I think about child health, illness, and emergencies.

These are the 3 biggest things I had to unlearn — and why they matter for every parent.

1. More information ≠ more confidence

We live in a world where information is everywhere.

Google. Social media. Parenting forums. Advice from well-meaning friends and family.

But here’s what I’ve learnt — especially as a mum:

More information doesn’t equal better decisions.

In fact, it often leads to the opposite.

When your child is sick and you’re tired, emotional, and already worried…having too much information can quickly spiral into:

• Worst-case scenario thinking

• Confusion about what’s actually relevant

• Second-guessing every decision

You might start with a simple symptom…and within minutes, you’re convinced it’s something serious.

What actually helps?

Not knowing everything.

But knowing what matters most.

• What symptoms are expected vs concerning

• What you can safely monitor at home

• What changes mean you need to escalate care

This is where confidence comes from — not information overload, but clear, practical understanding.

2. Not every illness needs ED — but knowing red flags matters

Working in paediatrics, I’ve seen both ends of the spectrum:

• Children brought in for mild illness that could have been managed at home

• And children who presented late with serious illness

As a mum, this is the tension you feel constantly:

“Am I overreacting… or am I missing something?”

Here’s the truth:

Most childhood illnesses are mild and self-limiting.

Fevers. Coughs. Gastro. Viral infections.

These are part of childhood.

But — and this is important —some signs should never be ignored.

The key isn’t rushing to ED for everything.

It’s knowing the difference between:

• Normal illness patterns

• Early warning signs (red flags)

• Emergency situations that need urgent care

Examples of red flags parents should never ignore:

• Breathing that is fast, laboured, or unusual

• A child who is difficult to wake or unusually drowsy

• Signs of dehydration (minimal urine, dry mouth, lethargy)

• A rash that doesn’t fade when pressed

• Persistent vomiting or inability to keep fluids down

When you know what to look for, decision-making becomes clearer.

And that’s where the shift happens — from panic… to informed action.

3. Staying “clinical” is hard when it’s your own child

This one surprised me the most.

At work, I’m calm. Focused. Clinical.

I can assess, prioritise, and act quickly.

But as a mum?

Emotion changes everything.

When it’s your own child:

• Your heart races faster

• Your thoughts jump to “what if”

• Your ability to stay objective gets harder

And that’s not a failure.

That’s being human.

What I’ve learnt

You don’t need to be perfectly calm.

You don’t need to think like a clinician.

You just need simple, practical skills that you can rely on — even when you’re scared.

Because in those moments, you don’t rise to the level of knowledge you’ve read…

You fall back on what you’ve practised, understood, and can recall under pressure.

Why This Matters (and Why I Created The Sick Sense)

These three shifts changed everything for me — not just as a clinician, but as a parent.

And they’re exactly why I created The Sick Sense.

Because parents don’t need more overwhelming information.

They need:

• Clear guidance

• Practical skills

• Confidence in decision-making

• The ability to recognise when something isn’t right

It’s about knowing:

• When to stay home

• When to see your GP

• When to go to ED

• What to do in those first critical moments

Without panic. Without second-guessing.

The Bottom Line

You don’t need to know everything.

You don’t need to be perfect.

You just need to know what matters.

Because when your child is unwell, confidence changes everything.

Ready to feel more prepared — not panicked?

If you’ve ever found yourself Googling symptoms late at night…or second-guessing whether to act or wait…

You’re not alone.

And you don’t have to figure it out on your own either.

👉 Explore The Sick Sense Bite-Sized Online Course

👉 Learn at your own pace, anytime👉

Build real-life confidence for real-life situations

Head to the link in bio or visit: www.thesicksense.com

Disclaimer

This blog is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Always seek advice from your GP, local health service, or emergency services if you are concerned about your child.