Babies and toddlers are particularly prone to bacteria, parasites and viruses while their immune systems are still growing and developing, and they are still gaining immunities. This disadvantage is especially a problem, as babies and toddlers typically come into contact with a lot of different potential irritants, insects and pathogens, whether being held by multiple people or in situations like play dates or day care. To complicate matters, babies and toddlers typically are too young for many of the medicines available on the market to treat everything from the common cold to lice infections. When this is the case, home remedies are available. Always keep your doctor in the loop to ensure that your child's symptoms are not signs of a more serious issue.
Fever
Fever is the symptom of your child's body working to fight disease. However, fever can also be uncomfortable and in some cases dangerous. Before treating a fever naturally, note that for children under 3 months of age, a fever of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or greater marks a need to call your doctor immediately for advice. For children over 3 months of age, a doctor should still be called, but the need is not as immediate. For mild fevers, a common natural remedy is sponging. Fill your bathtub with 2 to 3 inches of tepid water. Place your child in the bath, take a damp, warm sponge and gently run it across your child's body. This should help bring down the temperature. However, if the child starts to shiver, remove her from the bath and wrap her in a towel, as shivering can actually increase your child's body temperature.
Cough and Cold
Coughs are common with children, typically as part of a strain of the common cold. However, cough medicines should not be used unless specifically directed by your doctor. Natural remedies can be used to help make coughs more productive and to reduce how long coughs last. For example, a humidifier can be used to help loosen mucus. A suction bulb can be used to help keep your baby's nose clear. Saline nose drops may be recommended by your doctor to help thin mucus. Children over the age of 1 year old may also benefit from 1/2 tsp. of honey before bed to help soothe the throat. Children under 1 should not be given honey due to risks for infant botulism.
Bug Bites and Stings
Bug bites and stings are a common problem for toddlers and babies because they have yet to gain the knowledge of what bugs to avoid, as well as the motor skills needed to get away from the bugs. When your child has a bug bite or sting from an insect like a bee, an accessible remedy is baking soda. Mix just enough water with baking soda to create a paste, and then apply a thick coat to the bite or sting. The baking soda helps stop itching, as well as reduce swelling, by counteracting the acidity of swelling with the alkaline properties of the baking soda.
Lice
Lice are a common parasite that can quickly pass between toddlers, older children and babies, as long as there is hair present on the head. Lice typically are treated through the use of an over-the-counter shampoo, but you can also try a home remedy first to avoid the chemicals in these shampoos. Get your child's hair wet and run a fine-toothed comb through the locks. Performed every three to four days for at least two weeks, this can help get rid of the knits in your child's hair to help treat the lice infection. Vinegar can also be helpful; soak the child's head with the vinegar, let the vinegar sit for a few minutes, and comb the hair with a fine-toothed comb. A simple buzz haircut can also help by making the head less inhabitable for lice.
