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Remedies for common colds

Treatment of Common cold and other ailments for babies and children. Thanks.
(15 May 2007)

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The most helpless situation a new parent faces is watching their child struggle with their first cold. The infant will by cranky and uncomfortable, snuffing, and most likely will have difficulty feeding. But don't lose hope and there is nothing to get alarmed, it’s just a common cold.

Most babies probably develop 8 to 10 in the first two years itself. A cold mostly lasts anywhere between 3 to 10 days, although in a young infants they may go on up to two weeks.

Read on for home cures and prevention of common colds:

1.

Tips for infants

One of the most effective method is preventing your child from getting is by breastfeeding, for as long as you continue to breastfeed your baby, the child will receive your immunities and antibodies. Moreover, whenever a breastfed child gets ill, the cold symptoms would be milder.
Avoid taking the child to places where somebody has been smoking. If you or your spouse smoke, give up the habit as children who dwell with smokers have more colds then their peers and their colds take longer to heal.
Never self medicate a child with over the counter medications without checking with your GP. For children under a year over the counter medicines cause more harm than good.
Elevate your baby's head with a towel (not a pillow - it could cause suffocation) Sleeping in an inclined position will help relieve nasal congestion.
In case you child is unable to breastfeed due to a stuffy nose; you could consult your GP for saline drops to ease stuffiness and congestion. Apply the drops to each nostril just few minutes before a feed. Using a suction bulb later is also beneficial to clear the nose.
Humidify the air with a vaporizer. Or you may carry your babe to the bathroom and turn on the hot shower, close the door. Relax in the steamy room for 15 to 20 minutes. Dress your baby in warm clothing after the steam bath.

2. Natural Cures For older children.

Offer plenty of water and other fluids to flush out the cold from the system. Drinking water, juices, warm lemon juice with honey relieves congestion and averts dehydration.
A salt water gargle relieves an itchy throat. Mix half a teaspoon of salt in 8 ounce of warm water.
Offer chicken soup to a sick child. Chicken soup has numerous benefits. It helps to cure common colds and flu. It speeds and directs the mucous through the nose thus assists in relieving congestion.

answered by A W on 16 Oct 2007, 1:41:19

Remedies for common colds

Treatment of Common cold and other ailments for babies and children. Thanks. (15 May 2007)

Treatment of Common cold and other ailments for babies and children. Thanks.
(15 May 2007)