I'm wondering if any moms out there can give advice on some alternative ways to get relief from common cold symptoms. I am hesitant to give my kids decongestants or cold medicines after so many of them were recently recalled! Our pediatrician told me that most decongestants on the market don't work well for young children anyhow.
I just want to get rid of the runny noses and sore throats in a safe way. Someone had recommended gargling with tea tree oil, or drinking very diluted tea tree oil (a few drops to a glass of water). Has anyone tried that? Any other ideas?
"Ocean Nasal Spray" It's just saline solution but it will help loosen the mucus so they can blow it out. Plus it keeps stuff moist up there so their little sinuses can stop working so hard :-)
Also, a cool mist humidifier not just at night, but near them when ever they are in the house.
Popcicles are nice for a sore throat and help keep kids hydrated when they don't want to eat or drink.
HTH,
T.
When my daughter gets a cold I use a warm mist humidifier from Vicks with Vicks Vaposteam. It seems to help her breath better. I also use saline drops in her nose to keep it from getting stuffy. I tried cold medicine once and she was crazy! Keeping the humidity levels up in the house while using forced heat or air helps the mucus membrane in the nose mist and comfortable. Hope your little ones feel better.
Sincerely,
L.
Hi Catherine,
I would definitely use the plug ins that the other moms have told you about. I use them for my son and they work great, whether he has a cold or allergies. Also, prop your children's head up while they sleep with an extra pillow so that the snot isn't flowing down their throat, which can cause coughs. I haven't tried the gargling. I usually just try to give some extra love, put in the plug in, and keep their noses as clean as possible with lots of tissue and the squeegy thing. I have never given my kids anything for their colds, but they have never complained when sick either with colds. They usually are still full of energy and are running circles around me as I catch it and feel icky trying to keep up with them becomes even more of a task...lol.
ONce they have the cold, it's just a matter of ensuring that they have enough nutrition (pediasure - vanilla, chocolate, strawberry) to help fight the cold, as well as rest (plenty of naps, good night sleeps) and finally, staying warm. Remember that the body needs help to keep the balance of immunity in check and the way that our body keeps equilibrium is through our ability to keep the levels of nutrition, sleep and warmth at a high level when it comes to the cold season. When one or the other is not at it's "full level" (like a gas tank), the body has to overcompensate and pull from one of the other tanks. This is how the kids get susceptible to colds and other things. All the other things that the other parents have mentioned are good too,.. but don't forget the fundamentals and don't always look at the easy fixes of western medicine (e.g. medication) to fix the problem. The same concepts that I mentioned above are also applicable for avoiding colds as well........ good luck..... we haven't seen our pediatrician due to colds or such(7 yr old boy, 13 yr old girl)but primarily for general check ups.
A humidifier is really important as is water (to drink) so that the mucus gets thinned and cleared out. If they like lemon and raw honey (not for infants) this is also good. AVOID all sugar (even commercial juices - juice yourself) Sugar lowers the immune system for 5-6 hours after taking it in. So don't use popsicle for sore throats and such. Increase vitamin-C and there are herbal remedies that boost the immune system (echinacea, etc) or help to protect healthy cells (elderberry).If it's viral there is a product that is helpful (Super Lysine plus) This can help if you have any viral problems e.g. shingles, chickenpox. It is important they get alot of sleep and some sunshine and fresh air. Also avoid dairy products as this thickens the mucus. I hope this is helpful. I can't stress how important the NO sugar is. Chiropractic adjustments have also been researched and shown to boost the immune system.
Hi,
Our families' response to the common cold is more preventative than anything.
We encourage hand washing and our daycare is really good about that too.
We also make sure we boost our immunity systems and general health as much as possible. The whole family drinks Himalayan Goji Juice which works for us. Even though our kids are in group daycare, they haven't had a cold all year. I work in health care and recently got the flu, (despite flu shot), I was yucky for almost 5 days, but neither my husband nor my kids (5 and 20 months) got it!
For congestion in the past. I've used good old Vicks!
My Mum used to put it on my chest when I was little, but my son didn't like that, so I would put it on a washcloth and leave it on his pillow after he went to sleep. It's a bit stinky, but it allowed him to sleep.
I believe they have a "Baby Rub" too now (that smells better!)
Good Health and Good Luck!
S.
if it's a cold, it's viral and you just have to wait it out. you can't really "force" a virus out of the body. you have to wait for the body to build up an immunity to it.
sore throats can be caused by a bacterial infection, so that's a little different. TTO can be very potent, so i would be hesitant to try it. it would have to be VERY diluted. my parents used to have me gargle with a salt water solution for about 30 seconds. the salt can kill the bacteria too.
to soothe a sore throat, i sip hot water with lemon and honey. it just feels good. :D
for congestion at night, you can look at these small, plug-in vaporizers. they release menthol, camphor, etc. into the air and it opens up the air passages for breathing. it doesn't speed any healing, but it makes sleep easier. better rest does help the body heal.
plenty of fluids.
colds just take time.
Catherine,
My son just got over the stuffy nose and congestion. I was giving him the Pedicare decongestion. ( I gave 1 time) and I don't like giving him medicine either. I rubbed Vic on his chest and back nightly and I also used the plug-in vaporizers they help breathing during the night they release menthol. Lots of water....
My son's stuffy nose and congestion lasted 2 days at the most. I was shocked, I did the vick nighty (Childs vic) and he likes that. I think that helps the breathing for him.
Good Luck
I like the baby rub on the chest and I have even heard that if you put it on the soles of the feet it helps. For sore throats I have done warm water with a little lemon and honey. It helps soothe, but it is only temporary.
We too have been hit hard with colds this year. Good luck!
Vapor rub, Vicks vapor plug ins, nasal saline drops and a humidifier are a must. I keep the humidifier going all night all winter. Elevate the head of the crib too with books under the mattress. I also use a product by California Baby that I think Target carries now that acts like vapor rub but it all natural and a massage oil.
Let then run around and act as energetic as they feel like and for down time or fevers keep them as quiet as possible with a video. A lot of times too they don't want to eat, so I put warm chicken broth in a sippy cup and use Pediasure when they really are not eating a lot.
