Dealing with Colds and Small Children

Dealing with Colds and Small Children: "

Cold and flu season is upon us! Increasingly, pediatricians are recommending no cold medicines for small children, and it's good to have an arsenal to help those tiny bodies feel as comfortable as possible and heal quickly!



Some of our favorites:

• Acetaminophen (Children's Tylenol is a popular brand) for those night-time aches and sore throats
• Cool Mist Humidifiers- my kids have ones shaped like animals, and they love them. I love that they humidify the room, but don't get hot so there's no risk of burns.
• Warm drinks are a favorite- my 2-year-old loves when I give her warm water with a squeeze of lemon juice and honey. (Yes, it's lemonade. But so healthy, right?!) The warm water soothes swollen muscles in the throat, the lemon cuts through any gunk, and the honey is an antibacterial agent and also helps soothe muscles rubbed raw from coughing or mucus. Please don't tell our dentist, but on occasion I've put this in her sippy cup at night when she can't stop coughing. And....if there are any singers or speakers out there, I LOVE THIS STUFF. I once made it through a 2-hour-long Messiah rehearsal powered by nothing but a travel mug of this, during the nastiest cold.
• Homemade cough syrup- you can take an onion (or garlic, or ginger) and slice it up, then layer the slices in a glass jar with sugar in between each slice, using 1 cup sugar for 1 large onion. Let it sit on the counter a day or 2 until macerated, then strain the juices into a clean jar and store in the fridge. This is great for helping coughs be more productive, as it breaks up phlegm in the throat. We give our kids a teaspoon of it when they need it, and they love it.
• Warm meals, and healthy food whenever they're hungry. I like to get plant proteins in my kids when they're sick- beans and rice, wheat bread and peanut butter, etc. This is probably because my toddler was born a vegetarian it seems. If your kids will eat chicken soup, great! (Mine won't touch it.)
• Warm baths before bed
• Hug and cuddle time. Kangaroo care isn't just for infants! Especially when they're sick, kids need love and touch. Find the picture books, and that cozy quilt, or maybe even a favorite (calm!!) movie and snuggle up.

What are some of the things YOU do for your sick people?

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