Healthy Popsicles for Sick Breastfed Toddlers: Natural Remedies for Gentle Weaning Mom

I bet you didn’t picture yourself here years later when you were holding that little tiny fresh squish in your arms — still in the trenches of motherhood, navigating toddler breastfeeding, and worrying about nutrition when your little one gets sick but not wanting to rely fully on breastfeeding to nourish them through this time. it is TOTALLY okay to continue to breastfeed, or breastfeed more when your toddler is sick. You are not moving "backwards" in your weaning journey. But I know that's not the right choice for everyone... hence this blog post.

When illness hits and your weaning toddler suddenly refuses everything except the comfort of nursing, it can feel super overwhelming. (Need help saying "no" the feed while still saying "yes" to the need? Grab my free 16 page guide here.)

First of all, it is TOTALLY okay to continue to breastfeed, or breastfeed more when your toddler is sick. You are not moving "backwards" in your weaning journey. But I know that's not the right choice for everyone...

If you don't want to (or can't) meet all of their needs for soothing and nutrition with breastfeeding, there is hope!

Recently, my own child came down with croup — that awful barky cough that makes both parent and child miserable. He turned away from almost everything except cold watermelon. That’s when I started experimenting with natural remedies for sick kids that could mimic quite a few of the traits of breastfeeding: hydration, easily digestible nutrition, immune support, temperature regulation and more.

You have found your people here, mama. Let me share the recipe that became our lifeline during those long, feverish nights.

Peaches & Cream Save Your Kid-Is-Sick Sanity Popsicle

The Healing Popsicle Recipe That Saved Our Week

Ingredients for Immune-Support Popsicles (Makes 6)

• ½ cup raw cashews

• 1 cup marshmallow root tea (cooled - plain water can be substitued, or you choice of soothing herbal tea)

• 1 ripe banana

• 1 tsp freshly grated ginger

• 3 tbsp Manuka honey (MGO 100+ - also okay to replace with any honey you have on hand, just swap with maple syurp for children under 12 months)

• Splash of vanilla extract

• 1 cup frozen peach slices

Instructions:

1. Boil cashews for 10 minutes to soften, then drain.

2. Brew strong marshmallow root tea and let cool

3. Blend softened cashews with cooled tea until smooth and creamy.

4. Add the rest of the ingredients and blend again until fully combined.

5. Pour into popsicle molds and freeze for at least 4 hours.

   
   

Why These Popsicles Work When Gentle Weaning Meets Illness

Hydration Support: Primarily liquid-based, these popsicles help combat dehydration from fever — much like breastfeeding does during illness.

My poor dude was glued to this cool-mist humidifier when he wasn't having a popsicle.

Easy Digestion: Cashew cream offers fats and proteins in an easily digestible form, echoing the rich, satisfying feel of breastmilk without overwhelming sensitive tummies.

Immune Support:

• Manuka honey – antimicrobial and soothing for coughs. (learn more about it here.)

• Ginger – anti-inflammatory and helps with congestion. (learn more about ginger here.)

• Fresh peaches – a natural vitamin C boost.

• Banana – potassium for fever recovery.
  

Respiratory Relief: Marshmallow root tea helps calm inflamed mucous membranes, easing croup cough. (learn more about marshmallow root here.)

Digestive Support: Gentle on upset stomachs — ginger eases nausea, marshmallow root coats and soothes, banana supports healthy digestion.

Comfort Factor: Cold (great for fevers!), creamy, and sweet — exactly what a miserable toddler needs when the world feels too much.

The Nutrition Breakdown (Per Popsicle)

This is just an estimate based on making 6 popsicles using the ingredient labels I had.

• 130 calories

• 2.5g protein

• 19g carbs (mostly natural sugars)

• 5–6g healthy fats

• Plus vitamin C, potassium, magnesium, and zinc

  
  

If your toddler manages 2–3 popsicles daily during illness, they’re getting meaningful hydration and nutrition — often more than refused meals and sips of water.

Mini Midnight Soothers for Counter-Cultural Parenting

For those middle-of-the-night coughing fits, here’s a gentle-weaning hack:

• Place small paper cups in a muffin tin.

• Fill halfway with a soothing tea mix (decaf orange pekoe + ginger + marshmallow root + honey + splash of nut milk).

• Use another cup lid as a drip catcher, poke a stick through, and freeze.

These mini pops are perfect for little hands, won’t overwhelm sick breastfed toddlers, and keep sheets and pajamas mess-free. (They also freeze up SUPER fast because they are so small and spread apart)

Here is a little photo breakdown of how to make these pops! The cup I put on top, I cut to shorten it a little so it snugly fits into the half-filled bottom cup. I poked a hole in the bottom of the top cut-cup so I could put a candy stick in to use as a handle once it is frozen.

When Gentle Weaning Meets Illness: You’re Not Alone

Weaning while your toddler is sick can feel raw and vulnerable. That one go-to comfort — breastfeeding — suddenly isn’t available the way it was. Creating nourishing alternatives like these popsicles isn’t about replacing breastfeeding. It’s about expanding your toolkit so you have other ways to meet their needs while honoring your weaning journey.

And.... they still work long after you have fully weaned. My 8-year-old daughter loved them, and they also helped her a ton!

Reminder - despite the opinions of others, what you’re doing is rooted in thoughtfulness, love, and respect for your child’s needs and your family’s values. (If you need some support navigating judgment from others, check out my blog post with 5 different approaches to try here.)

A Word About Safety

Ginger content here (less than 1 tsp for the whole batch) is well within safe toddler limits. As always, check with your pediatrician if symptoms persist or worsen.

Beyond Sick Days: A Refreshing Family Treat

These gut-friendly popsicles have earned their place as a summer favorite in our house - even when no one is sick. They’re hydrating, anti-inflammatory, and delicious — the kind of treat everyone from toddlers to grandparents will enjoy. And on a hot day, even the most determined extended breastfeeding toddler will happily accept one. (They are also great for soothing heartburn during pregnancy... or after too much pizza at any point in life 😏)

FAQ: Healthy Popsicles for Sick Breastfed Toddlers

Q: What can I give my sick toddler who won’t eat?

A: Immune-support popsicles provide hydration, gentle nutrition, and comfort — much like breastfeeding.

Q: Are popsicles safe for toddlers with croup?

A: Yes, generally speaking, especially when made with soothing, natural ingredients like marshmallow root tea and honey. Always check with your doctor. This popsicle is not a replacement for medical care.

Q: Can these replace nursing during illness?

A: These certainly can replace some aspects of nursing during illness some of the time. For more help with breastfeeding a sick toddler, check out my podcast 20: Breastfeeding A Sick Toddler (Why, How & What to do when they're well again)

Your Turn: What are your go-to foods for sick toddlers during weaning? I'd love to hear them in the comments below!