Is your little one up at 2AM coughing and coughing? Are they complaining about a sore throat? Losing their voice? Have a fever? Yes...it's that time of year when our warm weather leaves us and the cold comes in without warning. It's so very hard when your child has a cold, but there are ways to avoid a cold and soothe one. Here are some tips
Keep them warm - It's time to bring out the hats, gloves, winter jackets, scarves, boots and long johns! Winter may not be here yet but it is getting very cold outside. The best way to avoid a cold is to bundle up nice and warm.
Stock up the medical cupboard - Buy everything you are going to need such as cough medicine, vapor rub etc.
Clean everything - Toys, door knobs, toilet, bathtub, absolutely everything.
Wash your hands - Get your kids to wash their hands and you wash your hands before and after every meal. After sneezing or coughing into your hand, as soon as you wake up and every other time you feel the need to get them clean and germ free.
Tissues - Always have a box of tissues ready, using toilet paper to wipe a boogery nose will cause pain and redness.
Vapor bath - Johnson's vapor bath is a great product for when little ones are sick, it helps them breathe better and also helps clear up a stuffed nose.
Vapor rub - Vapor rub is great for night time and day time, it helps your child breathe with ease and helps stop a chest cough. They have Vicks baby rub available at most drug stores.
Let them rest - Rest is a very big factor when it comes to getting better, if you have a child that goes to school and they wake up one morning not able to talk, complaining of a sore throat, let them stay at home for the day. Put some cartoons on and cuddle up with them on the couch under a nice warm blanket.
Fluids - Fluids are important to avoid getting dehydrated, water, ginger ale, Pedialyte, popsicles and juice are good options to ensure your child does not get dehydrated.
Fever - Treat your childs fever, or don't. Some moms ride the fever out, but if your child is in pain you can give them Tylenol. Fever is a sign that your childs body is fighting infection.
Stuffy plugged noses - Nothing is worse than a stuffy nose, your child breathes heavy from the mouth and it's very uncomfortable. Using nasal drops is a good idea, lay your child on his/her back and put a few drops in each nostril, have your child blow their nose. If your child is too young to blow their nose you can get a suction bulb and suck the mucus out.
Honey - Using honey instead of cough syrup for children 1 and over is a great way to soothe a sore throat and a nighttime cough. Children 2-5 years old can have half a teaspoon, children 6-12 can have 1 teaspoon and children 12-18 can have 2 teaspoons.
The hot shower trick - Steam is a great way to help soothe a dry cough and a stuffed up nose. Turn the shower on extremely hot, leave the bathroom and close the door. Let the shower run for about 5-10 minutes, bring your child in the bathroom and stay in their for about 10-15 minutes. Do this about 3-5 times a day and once before bedtime.
Vicks on the feet - Some mothers swear that this home remedy works. If your child is coughing a lot especially at night rub some Vicks vapor rub on the bottom of their feet and put clean dry socks on. Some little ones have very sensitive feet which makes this remedy work best.
Usually during winter it seems like your little one has one cold after the other, it will pass, the best you can do is use the tips listed above to help your child feel comfortable. Sometimes all they need is some TLC from moms or dad.
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