As parents, it can be tough knowing your toddler is sick and is in discomfort. Your first instinct will be to relieve them and make them feel well again. Among many diseases they could face, the common “cold and cough” is something they will deal with every now and then. There are several natural cold and cough remedies for toddlers that can definitely help them feel better. Read up about your best options here!
8 Natural Cold And Cough Remedies For Toddlers
Honey
Multiple studies have proven that honey effectively soothes a cough and promotes sleep. This all-natural ingredient is one of the age-old natural cold and cough remedies for toddlers, young children, and adults too. It’s one of those home remedies that almost all of us have heard about from our moms or grandmothers.
Dark honey, like buckwheat, is often more effective as it is rich in antioxidants. Doctors recommend a half-teaspoon of dark honey to a child aged between 1 and 5 years, and one teaspoon to kids between 6 and 11 years. You can also mix some honey into some warm water for your toddler to drink.
Honey is considered safe for children above the age of one year, which means your toddler can easily have it. But, honey is one of the must-avoid foods for infants below the age of 1 year. They are more prone to developing botulism from bacteria in honey. Also avoid giving your toddler honey cough drops since it is a major choking hazard.
Chicken Noodle Soup
There’s nothing like some hot chicken soup to cure a runny nose and common cold! Research has proven that chicken soup contains anti-inflammatory properties. Its high temperature acts as a vaporizer. This helps to loosen mucus in the nasal area and clear the nasal passages.
Ensure that you shred the chicken pieces well and that the soup isn’t too hot. You could also use small pasta like macaroni instead of noodles so they can munch on it easier. Alongside soothing your child’s cough, it can help them feel better by providing essential nutrients.
Hot Drinks
Instead of soup, you could also try some hot drinks since these too are effective natural cold and cough remedies for toddlers. Such drinks help in thinning out the sticky mucus in the nasal and throat area. This clears the throat and nasal passages, promoting ease to cough up. Over and above this, liquids also soothe the dried, raw throat and keep your kid hydrated. Decaffeinated tea with honey or warm juice can work wonders for your child. You could also try one of India’s popular home remedies – warm milk with honey and turmeric. As always, ensure it isn’t too hot.
Cool-Mist Humidifier
You’re probably familiar with one of the more common home remedies that is steaming. But the warm mist and heat of steaming can harm your baby. This is where a cool-mist humidifier can help.
Having a cool-mist humidifier in your child’s room can greatly help in loosening the chest and nasal congestion. This is a really effective remedy for toddlers coughing at night. A humidifier helps add moisture to the air, and this moist air can help with some of the cold symptoms your child may have.
But, there is one danger of having a humidifier in your child’s room – bacteria and mold tend to grow fast in such units. So, changing the water daily and cleaning the unit thoroughly on a daily basis is a good way to avoid this. You can achieve similar results if your child can sit in a steamy bathroom when taking a hot shower, or by giving them a warm shower. Getting rid of that stuffy nose is sure to help them feel better.
Salt Water Gargle
Giving a salt water gargle to young children is one of the oldest home remedies to get rid of unwanted coughing. You are advised to mix half a teaspoon salt with water (8-ounces) and ask your child to gargle. It relaxes the throat by reducing the irritation.
However, this is only for the older kids who can be trusted to spit out the solution, and will not swallow it.
Propped-Up Position
Elevating the suffering child’s head with an extra pillow while he/she is sleeping may open their airways, helping the mucus to drain. It usually works on the children above the age of 4 months. If your child is younger, it would be better consulting a pediatrician before trying anything else.
Saline Solution
After consulting your pediatrican, you could try a post nasal drip or saline nasal drops to reduce your toddler’s cough. Few of these nose drops can thin and loosen the mucus, making it easy to suck out using a suction bulb. If they’re a bit older, you could also make your child blow their nose out. You can also get a saline spray to try something different.
Chest Rub
You can also use a chest rub to clear the congestion if your child is older than two years. Products containing aloe, lavender, rosemary and eucalyptus can help in promoting a better night’s sleep. Vicks Vaporub has been popular in India for years, but consult with your pediatrician about which one would be best.
What To Avoid
As soon as we see our child coughing, we immediately start using cough suppressants. Howevr, these can actually be harmful. Such medication causes dizziness, restlessness at bedtime and hyperactivity among kids. The American Academy of Pediatrics also affirms that cough suppressants may cause more harm than good in children below the age of 4 years.
This clearly means that any method used to suppress the coughing, in a bid to provide temporary relief, may result in continuous irritation in the kid’s throat. This is why you need to opt for the natural cold and cough remedies for toddlers. These can try to provide relief without the risk of any side-effects. You should also avoid over the counter cough and cold medicines without first consulting your pediatrician.
Conclusion
The above-discussed natural cold and cough remedies can help your child greatly. But just like your child may also need medication, they also need vaccinations to help them fight worse diseases. Download the ImmunifyMe app to keep track of your child’s vaccination appointments, nutrition, and more.
FAQs On Natural Cold And Cough Remedies For Toddlers
What Helps A Cough In A Toddler Naturally?
Honey with some warm water can help alleviate a toddler’s cough and sore throat. You can also try a humidifier, some hot soup, and a salt water gargle.
How Do You Treat A Cold In A Toddler Naturally?
There are several natural remedies to treat a cold in a toddler. Some of the most common are giving them honey, hot chicken soup, warm water, and using a humidifier. However, you must also consult your pediatrician and not rely entirely on natural remedies.
How Do I Get Rid Of My Toddler’s Cold Fast?
There is no hard and fast way to quickly get rid of a cold. That being said, you can try home remedies such as a salt water gargle, soup, and warm water. You can also try some medication after consulting your pediatrician.
