Having a cold as an adult is hard enough to deal with, but when your toddler has one it is even more stressful. It is hard for a child to understand he needs to get his rest and do certain things that will speed up his recovery. The Centers for Disease Control has issued a report telling parents to throw away all medicine intended for children under 4 years of age. (see ref 1) The best remedies for treating a toddler's cold are lifestyle changes, not medicines. Use some, or all, of these remedies to help your toddler get on the road to feeling better.
Toddler Cold Remedies
Step 1
Set up a humidifier in your child's room, and turn it on at night when they sleep. Don't place the humidifier where the moisture will blow directly into the child's face, but rather across the room. A cool mist humidifier will help keep the air moist and cool, making it easier for the child to breathe. The moisture also helps keep the mucosal linings moist, which will allow mucous to flow more freely and leave the body. There are now humidifiers designed specifically for children.
Step 2
Give your child a warm bath. A warm bath can help ease physical aches and pains in the body. The moisture from the warm bath can also help with the child's breathing and keep secretions loose, as in step 1. The steam from the water is an excellent remedy, but don't have the water so warm that it could burn the child's skin or cause pain. The warm bath will also help them relax, and take their mind off not feeling well.
Step 3
Feed your child some chicken soup. The fact that chicken soup helps a cold is not just an old wives' tale. According to the Nemours Foundation (a non-profit organization specializing in children's health), chicken soup contains cysteine, which is an amino acid that can help thin the mucous produced in the body. (see ref 2) It is also said to help minimize congestion by controlling the white cells that cause it.
Step 4
Put saline nasal drops in the child's nose. Gently put the drops into the nose, then take a tissue and squeeze on the nose, giving it a little rub. This will help loosen any hardened mucous in the nasal passage, which allows it to drain or be blown out of the nose, making breathing easier. Saline nasal drops are available over-the-counter and used as directed are safe for children. Teaching a toddler to blow his nose is very important, so when it comes to having a cold he can help keep it clear. If the area under the nose gets irritated from too many wipes, rub petroleum jelly on it to help protect the skin from further irritation and infection.
Step 5
Give your child a popsicle or other frozen treat to help ease the discomfort of a sore throat, as recommended by the American Academy of Physicians. (see ref 3) You may want to stay away from milk products like ice cream, as creamy products can make the throat feel like it has more mucous, causing irritation.
Step 6
Make sure your child is drinking plenty of fluids. As mucous is produced it takes fluids from the body, and these fluids need to be replaced to prevent dehydration. Water and juice are good options. Avoid high-sugar sodas and any beverages containing caffeine. According to the Nemours Foundation, caffeine increases urination which can in turn cause or worsen dehydration.
Step 7
Encourage rest. Just like in adults, rest is required for the body to heal. If it is spending all of its energy on other functions, it can't take the time to mend itself. Usually this isn't too much of a problem for a toddler, because when they aren't feeling well they aren't quite as active.
Tips and Warnings
- Make an appointment with your pediatrician if your child starts running a fever, as this can be a sign of an infection requiring antibiotics.
- Never give a child under 4 a cough drop to help soothe a sore throat, as this poses a big choking hazard.
Things You'll Need
- Cool mist humidifier
- Warm bath
- Chicken soup
- Saline drops
- Petroleum jelly
- Popsicles
- Fluids
