There are natural ways to treat a baby’s cold symptoms. Infants get sick a lot, especially during their first year. Some can have as many as seven colds – which means a lot of sleepless nights and runny noses. For children under the age of two, there are not many over-the-counter medicines that you can give them which makes it tricky to help them feel better. Here are a few natural remedies that you can try to offer some relief.
11 Natural Ways To Treat a Baby’s Cold Symptoms
1. Saline Drops
A nasal rinse can do wonders to loosen mucus and clear up congestion, making it hard for your baby to breathe. There are over-the-counter sprays or saline drops that you can buy, or you can make your own mixture. Dissolve half a teaspoon of table salt in a warm cup of water. Let your little one lie on his back and use a dropper to apply one or two drops of the saline solution in each nostril. Use a nasal aspirator or bulb syringe to clear some of the mucus.
2. Use Suction To Clear His Nose
You won’t be able to blow your baby’s nose when he is all stuffed up. Use a bulb syringe to remove some of the snot. You can also use an electric nasal aspirator.
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3. Offer Plenty of Fluids
Fluids help to thin some of the mucus and clear up a stuffy nose. It also prevents your baby from dehydrating. Offer formula or breast milk but avoid juices or sodas that are high in sugar. To see if your little one is getting enough fluids, keep an eye on his urine – it must be light in color. If not, encourage him to drink more.
4. Sponge Bath
If your bay has a fever, a lukewarm sponge bath can help to bring down his fever a few degrees. Avoid using alcohol, ice, or cold water. Wipe them down, using the lukewarm bath water, or apply a lukewarm washcloth to cool him down.
5. Use a Humidifier
Running a cool-mist humidifier can moisturize the air and offer relief for stuffiness and coughing. Remember to change the water every day and clean the device to avoid bacteria or mold accumulating inside the humidifier.
6. Encourage Rest
The best way for our bodies to heal is to rest. It can help your baby’s immune system and fight off the cold virus. Make sure you clear out his nose with saline drops or a bulb syringe before a nap or bedtime which will help him sleep better. Don’t forget to give him lots of cuddles to make him feel relaxed and it may even help to ease some of his discomforts.
7. Honey Can Offer Relief For Older Babies
Never give honey to babies that are not yet one year old, as it can lead to botulism in infants. For older babies, a teaspoon of honey mixed into their milk can help soothe a night-time cough that prevents him from a peaceful sleep.
8. Provide Healthy Foods
Some foods contain essential nutrients that help our bodies to fight off a cold or the flu. It can also boost our immune system. If your baby is already on solids, you can offer meals with healthy fat or protein, and veggies. If you are nursing, your breast milk can also help with warding off a cold and keeping germs at bay.
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9. Good Old Chicken Soup
Grandma’s recipe of homemade soup has been tried and tested remedy for many years to help us feel better when flu or a cold is getting us down. The nutrients contained in veggies and chicken can help soothe inflammation which is a leading cause of cold symptoms. Sipping on the warm soup can also go a long way in thinning mucus and clearing congestion. If your little one is not on solids yet, you can blend the soup to make a puree or broth.
10. Steam Room
You can create a steam room by running a hot shower with the bathroom door closed which will allow the room to fill up with steam. Sit with your baby for about ten minutes and allow him to breathe in the moist, warm air to help clear congestion. Try to do this before bedtime to help him fall asleep easier.
11. Avoid Smoke
Second-hand smoke is not good for babies and can worsen cold symptoms by irritating his nose and throat. Children who breathe in second-hand smoke also take longer to get over a cold. In some cases, they are more susceptible to getting pneumonia or bronchitis. Avoid areas with second-hand cigarette smoke, and ask people at home to smoke outside.
When Should You Call a Doctor?
Sometimes cold symptoms exacerbate and result in more severe health conditions. If your baby is younger than three months with a rectal temperature of 38 degrees Celsius / 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit, has been coughing for over a week, and mucus hasn’t subsided after 10-14 days, call your pediatrician or doctor. If your baby’s fever stays above 38 degrees Celsius / 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit and you’re struggling to bring it down or it goes higher, call your doctor right away.
Final Thoughts
I hope these natural ways to treat a baby’s cold symptoms have been helpful and that you will give some of them a try the next time your baby is feeling under the weather. Always take care of yourself as well and practice self-care. Don’t be scared to ask for help when needed. If you don’t look after yourself and your own health, it won’t be easy to take care of your baby and make him feel better soon.
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