Cold and Cough Home Remedies for Children:
What Works?
Just about everyone that you speak to lately has had “that flu” that seems to be going around. Concerns about the safety of over-the-counter cold medicines for children have left many parents searching for alternative remedies for children’s cold and cough symptoms. This is what the FDA of USA has to say about over the counter cough / cold medicines for children
“Popular over-the-counter cold and cough remedies for infants have been withdrawn from the market after the FDA warned in January 2008 against giving those types of medicines to children younger than 2 because of the possibility of serious harm or death. While the FDA is considering whether to change the guidelines for children ages 2 to 11, the Consumer Healthcare Products Association in October 2008 said they would voluntarily change the labels on cough and cold medications to say they should not be used in children younger than 4. An FDA advisory panel made a similar recommendation in October 2008, saying that nonprescription cold medicines should not be given to children ages 2 to 5. The nonprescription remedies include antihistamines for runny noses, decongestants for stuffy noses, cough suppressants, and expectorants for loosening mucus to relieve congestion.”
Children get six to 10 colds a year on average. And as surely as children get the sniffles, parents want to ease their symptoms.
The bad news for parents: No home remedies or cold medicines will make a cold go away faster; they usually run their course in 7 to 10 days. At best, some medicines will relieve symptoms. But even that is in question. The best course of action is to keep up fluids, reduce fever to make a child comfortable, and keep noses suctioned so babies can eat comfortably.
Fluids
Make sure children stay hydrated, and give them what they’re accustomed to drinking. For babies, stick to breast milk or formula for those younger than 6 months. For children older than 12 months, try water, diluted juice, and milk.
Should children with a cold avoid thick fluids like milk?
Sometimes parents hear that they shouldn’t give milk because it promotes mucus building. That’s an old wives’ tale with no scientific evidence to back it up.
Is honey OK for a cough?
Give a half-teaspoon of honey to children ages 2 to 5; 1 teaspoon to children ages 6 to 11; and 2 teaspoons to those 12 and older. (Do not give honey to babies younger than 1 because of the risk of infant botulism). Smoke can irritate already inflamed airways. Don’t smoke in a home with children, advice that extends beyond cold season. While children have colds, keep them away from smoke from other sources, too, such as burning rubbish. If the coughing is so severe that it keeps a child from sleeping, or if the cough lasts beyond 10 days, discuss it with a doctor.
Scratchy Throat
Soft foods such as puddings, chicken soup, jelly desserts, and ice cream can feel good to a scratchy throat If a child doesn’t feel like eating their usual diet, try some of these foods.
Congestion
Saline nasal drops can help relieve congestion, especially in an infant’s small nasal passages. Because babies breathe through their noses and not their mouths, breaking up nasal congestion can make it easier to breathe, allowing a baby to nurse or drink from a bottle more comfortably. Place a few of the salt water drops in each nostril to thin mucus, wait at least 60 seconds, then use a blue bulb syringe to gently remove discharge. For infants, try this before feeding.
Saline drops or spray also can relieve stuffy noses in older children. Have children wait 60 seconds after using the spray before gently blowing their noses. Resting with the head elevated might make children feel more comfortable by improving drainage. If you want to raise a baby’s head slightly, try placing a rolled-up towel underneath the crib mattress. Do not place any soft bedding or pillows on the mattress itself because of the risk of sudden infant death syndrome. For older children, place a folded towel between a mattress and box springs to elevate the head and chest. Choose a slight angle so a child doesn’t slide down the mattress.
Mentholated rubs such as Vicks can be used on older children, however should not be rubbed on the skin of babies younger than 6 months. You can however put it on bedding or clothing.
When to Panic
- If an infant is making grunting noises while trying to breathe.
- If a child stops breathing for more than 10 seconds.
- If a toddler can’t complete a sentence because he is struggling to breathe.
- If there is a blue or dark purple color to the nail bed, lips, gums, or mucous membranes.
When to Call a Doctor
- A child is so weak and tired he doesn’t respond well.
- A child doesn’t play for at least a few minutes in a four-hour period while he is awake.
- If a child complains of a tight feeling in his chest, or that his chest hurts.
- If, after seeing a doctor, a child starts wheezing or having more difficulty breathing.
- If an infant can’t be calmed by methods that usually work, like singing, rocking, or giving a pacifier.
- A child tugs at her ear or shows sign of ear pain.
- Fever of 37.8 C or higher in a child 3 months or younger.
- Fever for more than three days in an older baby or child.
- If the child appears dehydrated. For babies younger than 12 months, that means a dry diaper after six to eight hours. For older children, that means no urination for more than eight hours. No tears when crying, sunken eyes, and dry lips are also indicators of dehydration.
- A child has bloody mucus or saliva.
Kim Patra is a qualified registered nurse and midwife who has been living and working in Bali for almost 20 years. She now runs her own private practice and medical referral service from her Kuta office. Kim is happy to discuss any health concerns with you and she may be contacted via e-mail at info@chcbali.com or Hp. 081 2366 0000.
