Colds are not the result of being cold, playing in the rain, or having wet hair or bare feet. The Nemours Foundation website, KidsHealth, says that colds are actually caused by rhinoviruses that enter the body when they are breathed in or when a person touches a contaminated surface then touches the mouth, eyes or nose. These invisible viruses can cause low fever, sneezing, sniffling, sore throat, cough, tiredness and achiness. When a toddler has a cold, parents turn to medicines and other treatments to ease symptoms until the virus runs its course.
Step 1
Offer your child plenty of water and non-acidic juice to ward off dehydration. The extra liquid also will help thin body fluids and make it easier to flush the virus out of the body. Let her eat when she's hungry.
Step 2
Administer saline drops or saline spray in the nose to help fight congestion. If your toddler is unable to blow his nose, use a bulb syringe to suction mucus and help him breathe easier.
Step 3
Set up a cool-mist humidifier in your child's bedroom to moisten the air as she sleeps. Clean the humidifier according to the manufacturer's instructions to avoid problems with mold, bacteria and fungi, advises MayoClinic.com.
Step 4
Offer cold drinks to soothe an irritated throat, says KidsHealth. Avoid acidic beverages, however, such as soda and citrus juices, as these may cause further irritation. Since cough drops or hard candy pose a choking hazard, it is not recommended that these be used to alleviate a sore throat in young children.
Step 5
Feed your child chicken soup, a time-honored remedy that has been found to actually thin mucus because it contains an amino acid called cysteine and may have anti-inflammatory properties as well, says KidsHealth.
Step 6
Steam the bathroom and spend a few minutes there with your child to help ease a "croupy" cough. Run a hot shower, close the bathroom door and allow the steam to build up. Sit in the steamy bathroom and read to your child for about 20 minutes to keep her occupied. Children should only be given over-the-counter cough remedies with a doctor's recommendation, according to KidsHealth.
Things You'll Need
- Hydrating fluids
- Saline drops or spray
- Bulb syringe
- Cool-mist humidifier
- Cough drops
- Hard candy
- Chicken soup
