Hey Mama's,
My dd has her first cold! I know at 14 months she can't have any meds so I was seeking some help in how to make her more comfortable. She does not have a fever just a really stuffy nose. I think she is getting so upset because she can't breathe right. I feel so helpless! The fluid is clear so I don't think there is an infection. I have a humidifier in her room, we put a wedge in her crib to elevate her head, and I suck the boogies out with an aspirator (fun stuff). I am sure like other babies, she HATES this!! Are there some natural ways to speed the healing and help get rid of the congestion? Any suggestions to help make her more comfortable would be appreciated. Thanks for your help.
Thanks for all the replies! We got through things okay. I felt something more was up because she does not cry alot and when I would lay her down she would scream. I felt something more than a cold was going on. The next day I took her to the doc and sure enough she had an ear infection. Poor little girl. He put her on antibiotics and she is now done and better. Thanks for all the wonderful suggestions, I will have alot of ammo when the next one hits!
A lot of doctors seem to be recommending the saline sprays in lieu of cold medicine. They'll open up a stuffed up nose and also help flush out a runny nose. It's just saline, so you can really use them as much as you need. And definitely a humidifier!
http://nosefrida.com/ (my friend just recommended this to me instead of regular bulb)
Humidifier
saline spray
Vicks baby rub
PediaCare Non-Medicated http://www.pediacare.com/products_comfortcare
Lots of fluids
Good Luck!!
I don't know about speeding the healing but I'm a big fan of the Vicks and Sudafed plug-ins. The have little eucalyptus (I think) infused pads in them that emit the scent into the air for your daughter to breath at night. It really helps with the breathing. You may also be able to drop a few drops of eucalyptus or rosemary into the cold air humidifier and that may work just as well.
Make sure that your humidifier is clean. By this I mean washed w/vinegar every week and bleach once per month...otherwise bacteria grows in the humidifier and makes you more sick. (I had to learn this the hard way.) There should be a pamphlet on it or I'm sure you can get the info online.
Stop using the aspirator. All it does is annoy your baby and runs the risk of introducing bacteria into her nasal canal. My pediatrican said to throw the thing out.
Homeopathic remedies like Pulsatilla can work well. Check out a homeopathic pharmacy near by or call a homeopath. Homeopathics are little candy beads that are all natural and have absolutely no side effects. They either work like a charm or not at all. No food or drink 15 minutes before and after taking them and don't touch them with your fingers.
Santa Monica Homeopathic Pharmacy
629 Broadway
Santa Monica, CA 90401
###-###-####
www.smhomeopathic.com
Eucalyptus in her bath. I don't know the exact name of the product, you can find it a a health food store but it is bright green and you only need a tiny bit. It will help clear up her nose. Saline spray - spray it up at bath time, don't be afraid, just squirt it good and watch her nose drain. At www.askdrsears.com I think they call it hosing the nose. Check out that site as well if you haven't already, lots of good tips. Otherwise, just keep her comfy.
Best wishes,
M.
Try vitamin C for babies. You can usually find this and many other safe, helpful remedies at your local healthfood store. Chamomile Tea is a favorite around my house. Check out Naturally Healthy Babies and Children by Aviva Romm. I love it. Good luck!
Maybe right before her bedtime you could shower and put her in the bathroom so she gets some of the steam, maybe she could eat come snacks in a high chair while you take the steamy shower. Also, my daughter is 12 months and we just started giving her the C Plus cold tablets from Hylands, and i was doubtfull, but it worked. They are all natural. I hope she feel better soon!
Try the natural remedies first, but if they don't work, many pediatricians will okay small doses of children's sudafed or benadryl even for a 14 mo old. Call your doc for the correct dose if you go that route. You are doing something right healthwise if she didn't get her first cold until 14 mo.
Hi J.. We've never given our kids any kind of cold medication. At 14 months, you can give her some natural vitamins from Whole Foods, like First Defense, Vitamin C, Echinacea. These things we give our kids regulary, from 1 yr old and up. This will help. Good luck.
When she goes to bed, rub some Vicks on her feet and put socks on. Sounds odd but it works like a charm!
i take some toys/tub crayons and my little one in a warm shower and just sit on the bottom of the shower and play in there as long as possible. the steam will get the kids sneezing after a bit, and after a few achoos, things are much better! i try to do this once a day (usually in the morning) while the cold is in full bloom. when that's not an option (like right at bedtime, etc.) i find that the Hyland's homeopathic cold tablets do provide some relief.
the only thing I would add is push he fluids.
i was told that saline drops are highly recommended and are pretty natural. i haved used them with my son for all his colds and starting using them for myself actually. the kids don't really like them...just a warning.
Call Willow Tipton. She a homeopathic and an awesome one at that. She is located in DelMar and her business is listed on MamaSource. Check her out!
Hi J.,
I don't know what kind of humidifier you have, but we just bought a Vicks waterless one, where you just heat a menthol pad. Worked like a charm for the stuffy nose that ripped through my house two weeks ago. We'll be buying two more very soon, one for each bedroom, so no one has to fight for it!
Good luck!
S. F
The only thing I can think of is a saline spray. I did it with my twins. It is not too fun either but it worked.
You can use a saline solution to unplug her nose. This can be given as often as needed and is safe for her age.
