Nasal Decongestant Ideas for 18 Month Old

What about good old fashion Vicks? Seems to work around here. Other than that, changing her diet so her body can recover.

Hi J. -

I feel for ya, I remember those days of feeling helpless because there isn't much you can do. I would suggest you raise the head of her bed, if it's a crib still go up one notch on the head side or if it's a toddler bed then put a book or two under the legs of the bed to raise her up. Then I would use a steam vaporizer with Vicks in it. You can also lather the bottoms of her feet with Vicks Vapor Rub and put socks on her. That will help, too. I also used a nose squeegie to pull out the mucus. Remember, though, if there is any color to her congestion it is most likely an infection needing antibiotics.

Hope she feels better soon.

S.

I use a warm steam vaporizer, it really seams to help. I have the one made by vicks, so it has a spot where you can put the vicks vapor mist if you want.

Hi J.,
I have used baby vicks vapor rub! works awesome!you can get it at your local Walgreen's, Riteaid..or store. Good luck.

How about running the hot shower and sitting in the bathroom with her. That should help. (the steam from the shower will help loosen up the phlem).

When they took the baby decongestents off of the market, I went through this same thing. I've tried the all natural cough and cold medicine (I buy it at Whole Foods - the name brand escapes me right now). They're moderately useful - not quite as good as the "real" medication but better than just using saline drops.

J.,

I have 19 month old girl twins, they had stuffy noses, coughing, that increased at night, etc... after all the home remedies (vicks, humidifer, benedryll at night so they could sleep, etc...) I took them to the Dr. and she gave them amoxicillin and they are doing great now. I hope your daughter feels better soon.

Sincerely,
M.

I have always tried the med. "Little Colds" I can give it to my toddler and it helps him clear up. I do know that it doesn't taste very good though. So if you go that route, have a drink of milk ready to take the "Yucky" taste away. You might also try a vicks rub? Never have done it, but heard it works. Hope your little one gets to feeling better soon!

Are you using a humidifier in her room? That sometimes helps. I also find the plug-in Sudafed vapors really help.

Good luck!

S.

Cut open an onion and put it next to her bed.

Something that helped me through many a "stuffed up baby" night...those Vick's plug-ins. It puts that menthol scent in the air so that it stays through the night without needing to put it on the baby. They have different brands and they all work well. You just put the menthol pad in the plug-in unit, plug it in about a half hour before bed so that it fills the room and then unplug it in the morning. It keeps that "vapor" in the air all night so that it doesn't get rubbed off.

J.,
I've always used Vicks vapor rub. I rub it onto their tshirt or onesie if you use the regular blue jar. However, they now make a cream for infants and toddlers. Good luck.

Hi J.! I don't have time to read all the responses, so I am sorry if I am repeating someone. My son is 18 months old as well and just got over this horrible cold that is going around, lasts about 2 weeks! He is 21, almost 22 lbs and his doctor gave the OK for 3/4 TEASPOON of benydryl(sp?). I gave it to him before nap time and bedtime to help him sleep. Makes him drowsy, too so that also makes it easier for him to get some good sleep. It really helped. Also, a vicks vaporizor might help as well as some baby vicks on the chest. Hope your little one feels better soon, it's no fun!

I use the Triaminic Soothing Vapors. It is a battery operated little fan that has medicated strips you put in. It isn't expensive, either. It has worked great for my five year old and 20 month old.

Bring her into the bathroom with you and turn on a steamy shower. That always helped mine. Also try putting some vicks on her feet with socks over them. I know it sounds crazy but it will help a ton, usually clears it up with in two days tops.

J., you might be able to do the Pedicare for stuffy noses. My kids doctor always told me to use them for stuffy or runny noses. Also make sure there is a cool mist humidifier in the room with your daughter. It will help keep her sinuses moist so they won't hurt in the morning.

Hi J.,
My daughter is 18 mos. as well and I like the Baby Rub made by Vicks. It's not as strong as adult Vicks and works great! Hope it helps.
E.

Hi J.. My son is 18 months old and also has a cold right now. I echo the same advice with the Vicks, but I actually rub it on his chest and then put it heavily on the soles of his feet and put socks on him.....don't ask me why, I read it somewhere last year when he was younger and miserable with a cold, but it works wonders for my little man!!! I also sometimes will run a cold mist humidifier. Good Luck, tis the season for every germ out there. :o)

Hi J., I'm sorry your little one is so uncomfortable. Does she get sick often?

I do have some very good tips to help children thru congestion and colds. It's on a CD. Would you like that?

M.

Get some Vicks Baby Vapo rub.

Call your doctor and ask them if it's okay if you give something you can get over the counter. My doctor had me give my daughter 1/2 of one of the triaminic "strips" when she was congested at 16 months. Some of the over the counter drugs are safe to give a child under 2 but only after asking your doctor for the correct dosage (they always just put "ask doctor" for under 2 in the instructions on the packages).

Good luck!

Make sure you have a humidifier in her room and run it during nap time and bed time.

Hi J.~
I always used Vicks Vapor Rub and the Johnsons vapor bath and has worked wonders. I also love to use the PediaCare Vapor Plug at night occasionally but the light on it super bright but it is very strong and works really well. I would talk to your doctor about a decongestant just because I know not all kids repond well to them. My son used to get really hyper and cranky with them and you want to make sure there isn't a cough suppressant in the over the counter medicine - you really want the kiddos to cough that stuff out not suppress it. Also a humidifier in the room may help as well. It is the time of year...Good Luck and I hope she feels better soon!

My doctor would say if she's nursing put some mothers milk in her nose. It's the right ph and has the good antibodies. Not many I know nurse that long, if at all.
I hope she's feeling better quick. Good luck, A. H

Also try slightly elevating the side of the mattress where her head is. It doesn't have to be a lot, like with a shirt or something under it. Vicks, humidifier and extra cuddles. It'll be over soon. :o)

My ped said the only safe thing I can give my 18 mnth old is Benedryl. (well and of course tylonel.) The dosage for a 18 month 24 lb is 1/2 TEASPOON. MAke sure not tablespoon. If your child weighs much more than that you can ask your pharmicist or ped.