Natural ways to treat your child's cold
Children are very sick. During their first year, most people get a maximum of seven colds - these are the most common nasal and sleepless nights.
How can you help yourself?
Over-the-counter cold medicines are not recommended for infants under 2 years of age, but a few natural remedies can help reduce your toddler's symptoms and make you both feel better.
Give plenty of fluids.
It dilutes mucus, and can help with a stuffy nose. It also protects them from dehydration.
Give your baby breast milk or formula often. Don't give them soda or juice - they are high in sugar.
How can you say they are taking a sip? Check that their urine is light in color. If it is dark, encourage them to drink more.
Snot outside suction
Your baby is full, but he still can't blow his nose. A bulb syringe can clear mucus.
To use it, squeeze the bulb and insert a syringe about a quarter to an inch and a half into the nostril.
Release the bulb to make suction. Take out the syringe, and squeeze the bulb and insert the mucus into the tissue. After using the syringe, wash with soap and water. You can also use a nasal aspirator - an electric version.
Use salty drops.
Rinsing your nose can help reduce your child's congestion as it loosens up the thick mucus that covers their nose. Find saline drops or sprays over the counter, or make your own: Shake half a teaspoon of table salt in a cup of warm water. Lay your little one on their back, and use a dropper to put two or three drops in each nostril. Clean any mucus, or use a bulb syringe or nasal aspirator to remove it.
Serve the chicken soup.
Grandma was right: Chicken soup helps you feel better. Research shows that it works in more than one way. The nutrients in the ingredients, such as chicken and vegetables, reduce inflammation, which causes many cold symptoms. And a sip of hot broth can dilute the mucus and clear the congestion. If your child is new to solids, mix soup or just use broth to make puree.
Run a humidifier
Moisture in the air can help with coughing and bloating. To keep your baby safe, use a cool fog humidifier. Other versions can cause steam and hot water to burn. It is also important to change the water daily and purify it according to the manufacturer's instructions. This prevents mold and bacteria from growing inside.
Make a steam room
If your baby is full, try making your own steamroom. Close the bathroom door and run a hot shower to fill the room with steam. Then sit with your baby for 10 to 15 minutes. Bring books or toys to keep them busy. Breathing in hot, humid air will help to remove the obstructions. A good time to do this is before bed, so they will fall asleep easily.
Clear the smoke
Make another reason that secondhand smoke is not good for a child: it can irritate their throat and nose and make their cold worse. In fact, children who breathe in second-hand smoke have a harder time coping with the common cold. They are also more likely to have bronchitis or pneumonia. Stay away from cigarette butts, and say no to smoking in your home.
Encourage relaxation.
Sleep is the key to a healthy immune system. This can help your child fight off the cold virus. To help them get a good night's rest, clear the mucus with saline drops and a bulb syringe before nap and at bedtime. And hug them a lot. Your touch can reduce discomfort and help them feel more relaxed.
Try a sponge bath
A warm bath of sponge can soothe a feverish child and reduce its temperature by a few degrees. Fill a tub with one or two inches of lukewarm water, and use a sponge or wash cloth to clean them. Do not use cold water, ice or alcohol. If they are cold, take them out of the bath.
Offer healthy foods.
The saying "Feed the cold, starve the fever" turned out to be only half true. Small bodies need energy from food to fight this cold, and certain nutrients can strengthen the immune system. If your child is eating solid foods, give them foods that contain protein, vegetables and healthy fats. If you are breastfeeding, continue. Breast milk protects against the germs that cause the common cold.
Give the older child some honey.
If your child is more than a year old, one tablespoon of it can soothe a night cough. One study found that sick children had less coughing and more sleep at bedtime. But if they are not 1 year old then you should not give them honey. It is not recommended for young children as it can cause a dangerous disease called botulism in infants.
When to call your doctor
Colds can sometimes lead to more serious conditions. Call your pediatrician if your baby is younger than 3 months and his rectal temperature is 100.4 F or higher or he is restless and not drinking alcohol. If they are older, call a doctor if they have ear pain or difficulty breathing, coughing for more than a week, or mucus that persists after 10-14 days. Also contact if their fever is above 100.4 F for more than 3 days or more than 104.