Treating your toddler's cold using simple home remedies is a parent's safest bet. Integrative physician Dr. Andrew Weil points out that in January 2008, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced a public health advisory cautioning parents not to give over-the-counter cold medicines to infants and children under the age of 2. The common cold, an upper respiratory tract infection, can be the result of contracting any of more than 100 viruses, says the Mayo Clinic, some of which are highly contagious. Home remedies can make your toddler more comfortable during the seven to 10 days it takes to shake off his cold bug.
Hydration
Make sure your toddler drinks plenty of liquids so she won't get dehydrated. Call your child's physician if your toddler is wetting fewer diapers than usual or refuses to drink fluids, advises the Mayo Clinic.
Saline Drops
Mayo Clinic experts and Weil note that saline nose drops can be used to relieve your toddler's congestion. The American Academy of Pediatrics stresses that the dropper should be first cleaned with soap and water prior to use. The AAP and Dr. Weil caution against the use of saline drops that contain medication, as this can get absorbed in your child's body. Contact your child's pediatrician to find out which brands are safe to use. For more information on how to properly use saline drops, see Resources.
Humidifers
A cool-mist humidifier dampens the air slightly and makes it easier for your toddler to breathe (Weil advises using distilled water). The humidifier should be placed close to your child's sleeping quarters but not within his reach. Clean and dry the humidifier well every day to prevent the growth of bacteria or mold. The AAP does not recommend use of a hot-water vaporizer, which can cause scalds and burns.
Chicken Soup
Chicken soup as a cure for the common cold isn't based on old wives' tales--a 2000 article published in CHEST, the journal of the American College of Chest Physicians, indicates that in chicken soup, the "mild anti-inflammatory effect could be one mechanism by which the soup could result in the mitigation of symptomatic upper respiratory tract infections." Your toddler's appetite might not be quite up to par while she has a cold, but you can try tempting her with the recipe used by the researchers in their studies (see Resources), adapting the texture to her chewing/swallowing capabilities.
From the Medicine Cabinet
If your child has a fever and appears in discomfort, the AAP states that you may give him a single-ingredient acetaminophen or ibuprofen as directed by his pediatrician. Do not give your child ibuprofen if he is under 6 months of age or if he's vomiting or is dehydrated, stresses the AAP. Do not give your child aspirin. If your toddler has a temperature higher than 102 degrees F for one day, or higher than 101 degrees F for more than three days, contact his pediatrician, cautions the Mayo Clinic. Finally, there may be children's cold medications that were voluntarily recalled still lingering in your medicine cabinet--give these the heave-ho. For a full list of recalled children's cold remedies, see Resources.
