With autumn upon us and temperatures starting to drop, it’s time to start thinking about cold and flu season – again.
Kids are cold magnets. Did you know children under 3 catch a cold, on average, 6 to 8 times a year? A typical cold lasts 6 to 14 days with symptoms of a sore throat, runny nose, cough, and fever—a worrisome combination for your baby.
Children struggle with colds because of their inexperienced immune systems and their tendency to touch everything and anything (and then put it in their mouth). But you can do something to prevent colds. We’ve put together the ultimate cold fighting strategies for your kids! Read on…
1. Elevate the Mattress
Adding a lift to the mattress at the head of the bed helps your child’s sinuses drain more easily. A rolled towel or yoga mat should do the trick.
2. Load Up on Liquids
While your child may not be hungry during a cold, you should still load your child up with liquids. It’s easy for your little one to get dehydrated when sick, which makes getting better that much harder. Give them warm, clear liquids and lots of water.
3. Hook up a Humidifier
if your child is starting to stuff up, buy a cool-mist humidifier and set it up near your child’s bed. This will help your child breathe and get some much-needed sleep. Just make sure to clean and dry the humidifier to prevent mold and bacterial contamination.
4. Stop a Stuffy Nose with Saline
Saline nose drops are great for un-stuffing your child’s nose and cleaning out the junk in their sinuses. Simply put a drop of saline nose drops in each of your child’s nostrils and suction with a bulb syringe. Does your child hate nose sprays or drops? Try Breathe Right for Kids. It works by lifting up the sides of your child’s nose and offers fuss-free, stuffy nose relief.
5. Warm Baths
Warm, moist air is an effective symptom reliever, so turn on the shower and let the water flow or give your child a bath. The resulting warm air will help your child breathe more easily.
6. Chicken Noodle Soup
Chicken noodle soup is good for the soul -- and for a cold. Chicken soup contains anti-inflammatory properties that help with cold symptoms. Soup is also easy to digest, hydrating, soothing on the throat, and we think it tastes good, too!
7. Don’t Hesitate to Dial the Doctor
Does your child have a fever over 102? Is their cough wheezy or dry? Do they have painful blisters on the mouth? Call your doctor. These are red flags that likely require medical attention.
