DivyaWinter is officially here and you need to be extra cautious when you have got a vulnerable little baby to protect. Guard your baby against winter woes with home remedies for cold and cough for babies. Your little one is likely to fall prey to conditions prevalent during this time of the year as his immune system is still developing. But you don’t need to get panic.
These home remedies for cold and cough for babies will keep your baby healthy throughout the season. These are tried and tested home remedies which I personally used to survive the first winter season of my baby. I am still using these home remedies!! These home remedies for cold and cough for babies are also suitable for adults as well.
Before reading the home remedies for cold and cough for babies, you should read about the cold virus and symptoms. So, it will be easier for you to treat the cold and cough.
Cold Virus
There are 200 cold viruses which all produce similar symptoms and can be treated through home remedies for cold and cough for babies and children. You will be amazed to discover that your child will never get the same cold again. When your child starts nursery, he is more exposed to lots of new viruses. So it is natural for them to get frequent cold. The babies who are breastfed are less likely to catch viruses. Breastmilk has antibodies which help them to keep at bay from viruses and infections.
Symptoms of Cold
A cold usually starts with a sore throat which is caused by viruses affecting the upper respiratory tract. It is followed by symptoms like sneezing, runny nose, mild cough, and fever. Whereas flu is manifested as high fever. It has regular symptoms of cold accompanied by body ache, fatigue, and weakness.
Treatment of Cold
Controlling the symptoms is more effective as there is no anti-viral medicine. The line of treatment could vary according to the nature and intensity of symptoms as well as the age of your baby. Only symptoms can be treated and not the virus completely. There is no cure for the common cold. Home remedies for cold and cough for babies suffice unless secondary infections supervene such as sinusitis or bronchitis.
Cough
A cough is a reflex action that clears the throat of an irritant such as dust, smoke, mucus or food. It may be due to the irritation of a cold, sore throat, chest infection, asthma or tonsillitis. A cough is merely a symptom of an underlying condition. So, the cause should be treated and not just the cough alone through home remedies for a baby cough.
Symptoms of a Cough
Two types of a cough are – productive and non-productive cough. Phlegm is produced in a productive cough and has a wet sound. And no phlegm is produced in a non-productive cough which is dry and hacking. Both will make the child uncomfortable and prevent sleep. You can use home remedies for cold and cough for babies to make your child comfortable.
Vomiting is caused in a small baby as mucus runs down the back of the throat. A severe cough can also affect the nervous system so it needs to be taken care of.
Treatment of a Cough
Most coughs can be treated at home by using natural remedies for cold and cough for babies as long as they don’t stop them from eating or sleeping. Cough suppressants should be given only for a dry cough and never for a productive cough. It is important to bring up the phlegm out of the body through natural cough remedies for kids
Effective Home Remedies for Cold and Cough for Babies
1. Hygiene
Ensure proper hand hygiene for your whole family. Keep your baby away from everyone suffering from cold and cough. Hygiene is the first step in newborn baby cold home remedies.
2. Dress up in layers
- Dressing up your baby is one of the most crucial home remedies for cold and cough for babies to keep them warm.
- Follow the golden rule – your baby should wear the same number of layers you are wearing plus one.
- Thermals and socks should be the first layer.
- It should be followed by sweaters, turtlenecks and woolen pajamas or sweatpants.
- In extreme cold, add a winter resistant jacket.
- Choose breathable fabric while buying winter wear for babies.
- To avoid strangulation risk, do not use scarfs.
3. Drink plenty of liquids
One of the effective home remedies for cold and cough for babies is to take plenty of fluids. Warm fluids are also effective. Adequate rest is must which will soothe your baby’s system. Discourage your child from running around as breathlessness may bring on a coughing fit.
In case your baby catches a fever, you need to consult your pediatrician and give him prescribed medicine. Usually, doctors recommend paracetamol as the safe medication.
4. Honey
Honey is considered to be a better and safer option for children as compared to cough syrups for children which contain alcohol. Do not give honey to babies under the age of 1. It can lead to respiratory failure.
Ayurvedic home remedies for cough and cold for babies suggests the use of honey and turmeric. A single dose of 2.5 ml honey is one of the most advised home remedies for cold and cough for babies over the age of 1 year.
For children above 2 years of age, you can make turmeric and honey paste and give them before bedtime.
Directions: Dry, roast, and powder the turmeric root and add 1 spoon of honey into 2 pinches of this powder and mix well to make a paste.
5. Clear the nostrils
Excess mucus in the nose results in the runny or blocked nose. The mucous membranes lining the nasal passages become inflamed and congested and therefore it blocks the nose. Initially, the secretions produced by the cold virus are clear and runny. By the time the body’s defenses attack the infection.it may become thick and yellow.
Make sure you clear the nostrils by encouraging your child to blow the nose. You can also demonstrate how to clear one nostril first and then the other. Apply petroleum jelly to the outer part of nostrils and top lip if they become chapped or sore. In the case of young babies, you need to take out the excess mucus by gently pressing the nostrils one by one. Clean it with a soft and dry cloth. It is one of the best and natural home remedies for cold and cough for babies.
6. Appropriate Sleep Posture
If congestion is severe, make sure the head of your child is propped up with pillows.
It is one of the best natural cold and cough remedies for kids at night
7. Menthol Rub
Try to apply a menthol rub to the chest and backbone area of your baby in case of severe congestion. It will soothe the respiratory tract from outside.
You can also give a light massage to the baby which is again one of the best home remedies for cold and cough for babies. It will make him feel better.
In the case of older children, you can prepare menthol inhalations for them. Dissolve menthol crystals in water and get your child to inhale the vapors. Also, cover his head with a towel to keep the vapors in but allow some space for ventilation too. Make sure they inhale the vapors under your supervision.
8. Quick Lukewarm Bath
Home remedies for cold and cough for babies include a quick bath. Bathe your baby quickly in lukewarm water instead of hot water. Hot water could be extremely tough on your baby’s tender skin. Harsh soaps and hot water baths take away essential oils from your baby’s skin. Similarly, control the use of heaters also as it takes away the skin’s natural moisture.
9. Use Humidifier
Drop in humidity during the winter season, the temperature in single digits, and recirculated air can all contribute to itchy, scaly, and dry skin. It will make your baby more uncomfortable.
It is important to keep the atmosphere humid along with the other home
remedies for cold and cough for babies. To crank up the humidity inside, you can also use a humidifier at home.
10. Steam
You can also take your baby in the bathroom and run the hot water tap to make the air damp around you. It is one of the easiest home remedies for cold and cough for babies. Make sure to avoid any kind of suffocation.
Have more home remedies for cold and cough for babies to add to the above list? Please share with us the effective home remedies for cold and cough that worked for you and your baby in the comments section below.
Wish you a very Happy and Healthy Parenting!
