Treating a Cold in Your Infant

Infants should be taken to their doctor when sick to make sure it is not an ear, lung, nose, or throat infection. Also, to see if the need for antibiotics or a cold prescription is necessary and to get professional advice as well.

If the infant is under six months of age, they cannot have honey due to the risk of botulism and many are not on solids yet, or just beginning. Purchasing a cool mist vaporizer, not a humidifier, is one of the best moves you can make to be a step further in making your baby as comfortable as he or she can possibly be. The vaporizer should be at least three to five feet away from their crib, and the water should be changed out daily according to instructions. This will help open your babies airways, clear their nose, and help them to breath better and make it easier to sleep.

For an infant six months to one year of age, they still are too young for any honey. The vaporizer is still a very important asset to making them more comfortable. Also giving them water with a little juice for flavor mixed in it is great to help them get the liquids down. Liquids are very important when an infant is sick.

For toddlers one to two years of age, a teaspoon of half lemon juice and half honey is a great natural remedy for sore throats and little coughs. They may not like this combination but just get it in their mouths quick so they swallow, it will soothe their throats for a few hours. The vaporizer once again is the best thing for them to be around and sleep next to.

For toddlers over the age of two, doing the more natural things like the honey and lemon mix, as well as the all important vaporizer is the first things you should do after seeing a doctor. For children over two there are cough and cold medicines available over the counter if needed. These are not made over the counter for the younger ones due to the risks.

For the younger babies that are still drinking just milk, keep feeding them of course, but if your child is on solids, juices and waters, slow down on the milk if you can. Milk causes mucus to build up even worse, can make more flem in the throat, and can even prolong the actual cold. So solids if you can for food and tons of liquids such as water, if they will only drink it with a little juice mixed in that is fine. Do not feed them straight juice constantly or too much juice mixed in for the risk of diarrhea.

Remember to see a doctor first to make sure what the problem is because your little one cannot tell you themselves. And always have a cool mist vaporizer on hand for your little one, they will enjoy it and you may even get more sleep.

Cited Sources:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/infant-botulism/HQ00854

http://www.healthmad.com/Children/Treating-Your-Infants-Cold.21343