I participated in an Influencer Activation on behalf of Influence Central for Zarbee’s Naturals. I received a product and a promotional item to thank me for participating.
Oh no! Your baby has his first cold! What are you going to do? If you run to your local drug store you’ll be in for a rude surprise when you realize that pretty much all the children’s cold medicine is for children 2 and up, several only for kids ages 6 and up!
So, what on earth are you supposed to do when your 9-month-old or your 19 month old gets a cold? First, don’t fret. Because, while you can’t drug ’em, you certainly can care for a sick baby or infant with the common cold with the following ideas. Here’s how I have deal with, treat, and care for sick baby’s cold and cough.
Zarbee’s Naturals Immune Support
Did you know that studies show that children in daycare or school may catch up to 12 common viral infections each year, with each lasting seven to 10 days? There have been some rather rough and sick winters for our family, and others that haven’t been so bad.
One of the things you can do to help prevent your child from getting that cold, and to help boost their natural immune system, is give them Zarbee’s Naturals Baby Immune Support + Vitamins. You can use this Zarbee’s product for a baby as young as 2 months old, and it doesn’t contain drugs, alcohol, gluten, dairy, or artificial dyes. In short, it’s safe and effective and is designed to provide infants and toddlers with everyday immune support and essential vitamins (although it is not designed to be used daily, just as a boost). It contains brown rice syrup extract, zinc, water, Xylitol, natural flavors, and grapefruit seed extract, as well as Vitamins C, A, D3, and E.
So, I suggest then when you will be traveling this the winter, getting together with a large group of people, going shopping during peak shopping hours, or at any other time when your family may be more susceptible to germs and viruses, to use Zarbee’s Immune Support products.
But, if your little babe still gets that winter cold, I have found the following to be very helpful to make them (and you) breathe easier.
Humidifier
Warm, moist air helps everyone sleep easier, so be sure you have a humidifier on hand! Running one at bed time, when your child sleeps horizontally, and all of that sinus goodness can settle in your head, is so very helpful. Because, sleep is also very important when your child is sick, so making sure they are comfortable enough to get sleep, is a big concern. Also make sure they are dressed warm enough with blankets and warm pajamas.
Baby Vapor Chest Rub
A vapor chest rub is really good and helping keep those nasal passages clear during the night. I also think there is just something soothing about rubbing your baby’s chest. Some even rub some on the bottom of their baby’s feet. The great thing is that the baby versions are safe for babies as young as 3 months (though read your specific product to be sure). I have used it on my young babies, and as long as I wash it off their chest next day, they don’t develop a rash or have any problems with it and does them a lot of good.
Nasal Saline Drops or Sprays
To help loosen up stuffy, congested noses, use baby nasal saline drops or sprays and a bulb syringe (or other booger sucker). These are also safe for infants and babies, though your child may not love it. In general, you’ll want to just make sure you have lots of tissues, burp cloths, or Boogie Wipes to wipe away all your baby’s boogers, so they don’t get all over your shirt.
Warm Showers and Baths
Not only are they relaxing, but the steam and heat help loosen up your baby’s congestion. If in the middle of the night, they are having a hard time breathing, you can steam up your bathroom and snuggle your baby to your chest and help them breathe in that nice warm air.
Honey
If your little honey is sick with a cough, honey is a great natural remedy for their sore throat and cough. You can buy some from a drug store (Zarbee’s has a buckwheat honey one), or just mix some honey from your cabinet with a little water and have your child drink it.
Change Sheets and bedding
I don’t know if this is true, but I have found that changing my baby’s crib sheets (or toddler sheets) and other bedding a few days into a cold virus, helps to shorten the length of the virus. Removing the lingering sickness that is stuck in the fibers of the bedding seems to make a difference. I wouldn’t do it on day one (cause then you’ll have lots of extra laundry in the end, and who wants that?) but after a few days, when the cold is otherwise stabilizing or getting better, I’d change your child’s bedding and linens for clean ones.
Affection and Snuggles
As a parent, we don’t want to catch our child’s illness, but sometimes, what a baby really needs is their mama or their dada to hold them and snuggle them and tell them they’ll be just fine. Just make sure to take your own Immunity Support Boost too and wash your hands, and don’t share food, utensils, or drinks with your baby for a while. Otherwise, snuggle that baby on up if they’ll let you.
I would love to know what you do and use to help prevent and treat a baby’s cold! Please tell me in the comments below.
And of course, if your child is really sick, please take them to see their doctor. You always know your child best: make sure they are getting what they need. I am not a medical professional, just a mom, who has had children with far too many colds. I have also used my affiliate links in this post.
For more tips on preparing for cold and flu season, and prevent viruses from spreading (hopefully) see this post:
Hilary says
When I worked for a pediatirician, he said to give them a slurpee if they were super congested. I don’t know what the deal is, if it’s the boundless amounts of sugar, or what – -but it really does help. Obviously, not til’ they’re a bit older. But just a random tidbit. 🙂
Katelyn Fagan says
Oh, my girls would love to hear that! lol. Interesting. I’m sure the ice helps to ease the throat too, and they drink a lot of water.
Mama Carmody says
I can tell you from experience that the vapor rub on the bottom of the feet and a pair of socks at night, works WONDERS!….at least for adults. I didn’t find out about it until recently. I can tell you that it worked so well for me that I would DEFINITELY try it on a sick child.
Hezzi-D says
Great ideas! I used to use a lot of these whenever I babysat and the poor kids were sick.
Brenna @ Life After Laundry says
These are great tips. My son started pre- k this year, so he has been sick a lot. I know I will be putting all of this advice to good use.
alexis says
Great Ideas but please note that children under one should not have honey because of an increased risk of botulism
Deven Soni says
My son has always been a happy, easygoing kid. But at 4 months, he was really cranky for a few days. I called the pediatrician’s office, and the nurse said it sounded like teething. That, though, didn’t seem right, so I asked to come in for a doctor’s take. I felt awkward and who was I to second-guess someone with so much experience?
What I didn’t consider was that I’d developed my own expertise on kiddo. I could differentiate his feed-me wails from his cuddle-me whimpers and his I’m-so-sleepy sobs. Turns out, he wasn’t teething. He had an ear infection, one we were able to catch and treat early.
Indeed, parents can help docs diagnose properly. “To understand when a baby is sick, I think you have to understand what he’s like when he’s well–and that’s something a parent knows best. Btw, love this article!
Alysha says
One thing I would add is that honey is not recommended for babies under 1 year because of the risk of contracting rare but fatal botulism.
Kourtney says
I agree with a couple of the other commenters- you really should note that children under one should not have honey.
Barbara says
Never thought about this until now, but it’s actually so important! Great post, really interesting read 😉
Website here says
When I worked for a pediatirician, he said to give them a slurpee if they were super congested. I don’t know what the deal is, if it’s the boundless amounts of sugar, or what – -but it really does help. Obviously, not til’ they’re a bit older. But just a random tidbit.
Rachael says
Please make sure readers know NOT to give honey to a child under 12 months! Some are now even recommending that parents wait until 24 months to give a child honey. Thanks!!