SAFE & EFFECTIVE WAYS TO SOOTHE YOUR CHILD’S COLD AND FLU SYMPTOMS

When babies suffer from cold and cough, parents experience a frenzy of concern. Although children have extremely delicate immune systems, there is no need to worry as these baby cough remedies will help soothe your child’s cold and flu symptoms and usher a speedy recovery. 1. Adequate Rest While this might come off as a no-brainer, it is essential to have adequate energy for fighting an infection. Being sick for a while can wear your child out and resting will help in regaining the energy required to heal. Even your little one feels stressed from time and time and you can help him/her combat the same with the help of active or passive resting. Do not leave them unattended and prepare a warm, snug area for them to rest. An indoor swing or rocking chair might also come in handy but make sure that they do not get hurt in the process. 2. Humidifier When your child’s chest and nasal cavity gets congested with mucus, it becomes difficult for them to breathe properly. Breathing moist or humid air helps loosen the mucus inside the nose, while a warm bath can also help your child feel relaxed. To moisten the air, get a humidifier, steamer or cool-mist vaporizer. Be sure to clean your humidifier every three days, as these devices can accumulate impurities that get transmitted back into the air. Steamers and vaporizers are also easily available in the market. Leave the device on in your child’s room, when they are sleeping, resting, or playing. You can also add a few drops of essential oil to your child’s bath water occasionally. Also, keep your child away from the direct inflow of steam, as it can burn their sensitive skin. It is best to mount it on a wall that is out of your child’s reach. 3. Bulb Syringe & Nasal Saline Drops Bulb syringes can clear nasal congestion in babies who are too young to blow their own nose. It is extremely helpful when a stuffy nose gets in the way of breastfeeding or bottle feeding. Saline water can be made at home: dissolve half a teaspoon of salt in one cup of boiled water. Cool it down, and use a dropper to squeeze two or three saline drops into each nostril. Try to keep his/her head still while administering the saline drops. Make a fresh batch every day to prevent germs from entering. Do not put any kind of oil, cream, or store-bought nasal drops without consulting with your pediatrician. 4. Vapor Rubs Vapor rubs might ease cough and cold symptoms and help children sleep sound at night. Although research indicates that their ingredients have no actual effect on nasal congestion, vapor rubs make you feel that you are able to breathe better by inducing a cooling sensation in the chest cavity. However, do not use vapor rubs on toddlers younger than two years as it might irritate sensitive skin. Consult a doctor before application, or try using an organic cold balm that is free of chemicals and made with natural ingredients. Also, apply it only on your child’s chest and back. 5. Elevating The Head This is applicable for children who are twelve months and up. Raising your child’s head while they are resting can help them breathe easier. You can elevate their mattress with the help of towels or pillows. If your child sleeps in a big bed, an extra pillow under their head will make them feel comfortable. If they move around a lot in their sleep, it is better to elevate the mattress instead, as it creates a more gradual, comfortable slope. Be careful to not overcrowd the bed with pillows, and keep regular checks on your child. Also, remember that pillows are not recommended for babies under the age of one, as loose bedding can obstruct the airway and pose a risk of suffocation. Employ these ways to relieve cold and flu symptoms in your baby, and keep your little one safe, healthy, and warm.