My Top Remedies for Cough & Congestion In Children
Hello Loves,
Here we are again!
Tis’ the season where the cold and flu thrive and our poor babies struggle with cough and congestion.
I know how hard it is, especially for a first time mom, to see our babies sick. The younger they are the harder it is because there is not much that we can actually do to help them like we can help our older kids.
If you think that you are a bad parent because you feel like you have no idea what you are doing or how to help your baby, STOP IT RIGHT NOW!. Your concern alone means that you are a good parent and love your child dearly.
I am a nurse and STILL find myself feeling clueless on how to help my baby boy. I get so overwhelmed and so worried about him.
We all go through it and it's okay to ask for help.
So, today I want to share with you what has worked holistically and medically for us. For each product I share I have provided an affiliate link.
(Disclaimer) In no way, shape, or form am I trying to take the place of your child’s medical provider. Always discuss starting new medications with your child’s doctor.
Also, if you feel like your child needs to see a doctor at any point, just bring them, because “moooottthhherrrrrr knowwwsss BEST!” -cue Mother Gothel (Rapunzel’s Mom)
Ahah sorry, I felt like that was only right to say. Okay. I’m done.
Holistically
I have found that the best remedies for cough and congestion for any age are these 3 things!
1.Let your child inhale the hot steam of a shower.
What I like to do is run the shower as hot as it can be until the bathroom gets extra steamy and then I will turn the water off and just sit and play with him in the bathroom for about 15-20 minutes. Or, I turn the water wayyyyy down so that it is warm and put him in the shower.
The hot steam helps to moisten the airways, open them up, and thin and loosen any mucus. This in turn will make the boogies run, but that is what you want because that is how the body gets rid of the sick bug. Your baby will be able to breathe much easier and soothe their cough as well.
The problem that we can run into is the change in air quality. When you leave the bathroom that was all nice and steamy, the air is cooler and drier than the bathroom. This change can cause the sinuses to close back up, making it hard breathe as easily.
This leads me to my next thing.
2. Invest in a humidifier
A humidifier does the same thing as a hot steamy shower without wasting all of your hot water! It creates an increased moisture in the air which can help relieve cough and congestion.
Reminders:
Use distilled water or boiled tap water when filling the humidifier to avoid putting “stuff” in the air that you do not want there.
Keep it clean! Usually with soap and water but usually the humidifier instructions will tell you how to clean your humidifier
Put it where you spend most of your time and/or where you sleep for best results
I have used at least four different humidifiers and each one ended up in the trash. Either it was ridiculous to clean or it just stopped working!
Recently, we got a new humidifier because honestly I cannot live without one when any of us are sick.
We purchased the Safety 1st Easy Clean Cool Mist 3-in-1 Humidifier and it is hands down the best humidifier we have ever purchased.
It is super easy to clean! I can actually fit my hand inside of it and I just clean it with soap and water.
I fill the tank up completely and put it on the lowest setting and it literally will last all day and night and part of the next day!
It has a night light with different color options. We put the red light on to match our Hatch Rest sound machine.
It also has an adjustable mist outlet so i can direct the mist right towards us, especially while we are sleeping.
My favorite thing about this is that it is actually a diffuser as well. There is a slot in the back to put little essential oil soaked pads and it comes with two lavender packs to try!
I love it!
3. Chest Percussion
I know this may seem like a complicated word but it is actually very simple. What I do is cup my hand and lightly hit all around my son’s chest. I make it like a musical and pretend I am drumming on his chest and he gets to hear the change in his voice. He’s two! He loves it!
What this does is help break up the mucus in every area of his lungs to help his body cough it up and get rid of it. I usually do this about twice a day, depending on his congestion.
4. Try to avoid any dairy or an super cold foods and drinks because they only exacerbate the congestion. I like to give my son room temperature drinks because he doesn’t like warned drinks anymore sadly.
Now, this next thing might be alarming to some of you but TRUST ME once you use it there is no turning back! I will have one of these for every single one of my kids! It is absolutely amazing and makes such a difference! So after every effort to loosen up the mucus, you need to get rid of it to get rid of the sick bug.
And that is where this comes in…
5. The Fridababy Nosefrida Snot Sucker
Yes! You read those words correctly! SNOT SUCKER!
Sounds absolutely disgusting, I know! Honestly, it becomes pretty satisfying after using it a good amount of times. LOL don’t judge me.
When I first saw this I was working at a daycare in the infant room. I watched as this mom sucked the boogies out of her 8 month old baby’s nose and I was absolutely disgusted! I definitely swore that I would NEVER use that because it’s gross and I am no good with nose and mouth related mucus!
But, of course, they are right when they say NEVER SAY NEVER!
When my son was about 2 months old he was very congested making it hard for him to sleep and eat and like any other mom I did not care what I had to do to help my baby.
Of course, I remembered this, and of course I bought it right away.
Definitely, one of the best decisions I have made as a new mama.
So basically, it is just a tube with a mouthpiece on one end and a nasal aspirator on the other end. You put the nose sucker to the opening of your baby's nostril, NOT INSIDE, and deeply inhale and move the nose sucker in a circle against your baby’s nostril.
NO YOU WILL NOT SUCK IN ANY BOOGERS!
It is the most simplest and effective tool ever and I never want to have a sick day without it!
Medically
Let’s move on to some medications we use.
I understand some of you are not fans of medications. Medicine is honestly the last thing I ever go to when any of us are sick. Except, I got to the point where my child needed it so I went to the store and of course bought every medication I thought would be useful.
These are my top 3 medications that I absolutely love for cough and congestion in children! I use all of them in combination and get excellent results! You can find them at your local pharmacy or right on Amazon where I have provided links.
(Disclaimer) In no way, shape, or form am I trying to take the place of your child’s medical provider. Always discuss starting new medications with your child’s doctor.
1. Zarbees Cough and Mucus Syrup (available for babies and children)
This stuff works wonders and it’s all natural! It’s made with dark honey and ivy leaf extract. It is gluten free. Free of drugs, alcohol, parabens, and it has no artificial flavors, sweeteners, or dyes.
I only give it to him after breakfast and about 30 minutes before bed and he is usually great all day and night! It soothes his cough pretty quickly and when he does cough it helps him to really get rid of all that yucky mucus!
2. Zarbee’s Natural Baby Soothing Chest Rub
This stuff really works!
My son has some sensitive skin and it doesn’t bother him at all. Like the cough and mucus syrup, this is all natural and organic. It is made with eucalyptus, lavender, beeswax, and shea butter. It rubs on so smoothly and smells really good. It has no artificial fragrances, petroleum, menthol, or dyes.
I usually put some all over his chest, neck, and a dab on his nose after his night time bath and whenever he seems pretty stuffy.
A little goes a long way, it will definitely last you awhile!
Lastly…
3. The Fridababy Breathefrida Vapor Bath Drops
Can you tell that I am a huge fan of the Zarbees and Fridababy products yet? LOL
This adds a nice boost to your child’s bath/shower time, really helping soothe that horrible cough and congestion. You can put it in the bath or in your diffuser, we put it in the bath.
I usually like to add about 10-12 drops of it into his shower while it is steaming hot to really get those vapors flowing in the bathroom before putting him in the shower. Usually, this is at bedtime but when he is really sick he takes a shower up to 3 times a day with this stuff because it really helps!
It too is organic and made with eucalyptus and lavender.
These have all been my absolute go-to’s for when my baby boy is sick and it really gets us through! I have recommended this to other moms and it seems to work for them too! I pray that you can benefit from this post as well!
Happy Holidays! Stay Happy and Healthy My Loves!
So Much Love,
Ki’ari