It's not uncommon for children to get up to eight colds every year, making the common cold the No. 1 reason most children have to miss school to see the doctor as well as making it the most common infectious disease in the United States, according to KidsHealth, an online parenting and health information resource maintained by the Nemours Foundation. Natural remedies can relieve the uncomfortable symptoms of colds while your child heals.
Remedies for Stuffy Noses
If your child is older than 4, saline nasal sprays or neti pots can help thin out congestion so your child can breathe easier. According to the MayoClinic.com, these kinds of saline solutions are safe, won't cause irritation and can thin uncomfortable mucus so it's easier for your child to blow her nose. If your child is younger than 4, BabyCenter, a health information site for new parents, recommends using a bulb syringe to clear your child's nasal passages. Whatever your child's age, spending time in a steamy bathroom can temporarily improve stuffiness so your child can rest more comfortably.
Remedies for Sore Throats
A saltwater gargle is a good way to soothe sore throats and break up mucus in the throat for children older than 4, but teaching your child to gargle can be a little tricky. BabyCenter recommends letting your child practice gargling with plain water until he gets comfortable with the process. If your child can't figure out how to gargle or if he's too young to gargle, soothe his throat by giving him plenty of warm and cool fluids.
Remedies for Coughs
If your child is coughing and older than 1 year, a little warmed honey can coat her throat and soothe her cough. According to BabyCenter, a small spoonful of honey works fine, but if your child prefers, you can mix honey with warm water and a little lemon juice. Running a humidifier, especially at night, can also help soothe coughing for children of any age, according to the MayoClinic.com. Just be sure to change the water in your humidifier every day, or you could be releasing more bacteria into the air in your home.
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