Best 20 HOME REMEDIES for COUGH and COLD for Babies, Toddlers and Kids

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Oh that first cold of my little baby!!! As a new mom, I was so scared. I could not see my little princess suffer. Happens to every parent. But as time passed I learnt. I learnt from my pediatrician, my granny, my mom, sisters and of course some tips from my peers…who were also new moms. Hence writing this article for all the new moms, who are all confused and very concerned when it comes to the little baby. Here we present 20 Home Remedies for Cough and Cold in Babies and Kids.

HOME REMEDIES for COUGH and COLD for Babies, Toddlers and Kids

Cold and cough are the commonly occurred viral infections in babies, toddlers, preschoolers and kids. Hence it cannot be treated by antibiotics. Parents often tend to give over-the-counter medications when their child gets a cold, which is not really safe for kids (especially under 4 years, as recommended by FDA). Though these cannot shorten your child’s illness, you can try these safe and natural home remedies that will help your baby/toddler/kid feel better, when suffering from cold, cough, or flu

Before knowing HOME REMEDIES for COUGH and COLD let us take a look at understanding the reasons and symptoms.

What is cold?

Cold is an infection usually caused by virus (studies say more than 200 virus). Usually goes away in 4-10 days without any treatment. According to most pediatricians, Babies and toddlers tend to get infected by cold 8-10 times a year Kindergartners/ Preschoolers get around 12 colds a year Adolescents & adults get around 2-4 a year

Signs of Cold and Cough

• Low appetite

• Child becomes less active and dull

• Fatigue

• Runny nose with watery mucus

• The child may be irritable

• Feeling stuffed

As the cold gets worse, symptoms would be as below

• Sneezing

• Fever (sometimes)

• Cough

• Sore throat

• Ear pain

• Sinus pain/headache

• Diarrhea

• Vomiting

When to Visit a doctor?

It would be a perfect call when you see the below

• If your child is below 6 months and having a cold and fever of 100.4 degrees or higher

• If the symptoms persists more than 7 days.

• Pain in ears, blue lips, red eyes

• If the mucus is a green, dark yellow color

• Sore throat with swollen neck

• Last but not least, follow your instincts.

Quick & Natural HOME REMEDIES for COUGH and COLD at the first stage

Below are some age-wise natural, easy and safe home remedies to cure cold and cough in babies, toddlers, kids.

Babies (0-6 Months)

1. Lots of Rest

Taking adequate rest helps to fight the infection faster. Fatigue in illness can wear out a child or even adult. Hence lots of rest / sleep is required to get well quickly. Cosy and comfortable place with soothing music will help baby to get good rest. A good and sound sleep of 10-14 hours is recommended.

2. Breast Feeding

Dehydration in babies would be a serious problem. It is very important to keep the baby hydrated. Breastfeed more frequently than usual. Short and frequent feeding will help babies consume enough fluid and keep them hydrated. Keeping the body hydrated, helps in loosening the mucus, replace fluid lost and also maintains the body temperature.

3. Saline Solution

Salt water or saline solution, moistens the nostrils and loosen the mucus. It is also a best and easy home remedy to wash away allergens. Make a mild salt solution. Hold the baby’s head back, put a drop (one nostril at a time) in baby’s nose. Once the mucus loosens, you can easily remove and discard it. Please note – Use this method only 1 time per day and do not exceed it more than 2-3 days in a row. This method is used only when the baby has a stuffed nose.

4. Herbal Smoke

A traditional & Ayurvedic method in which Smoke is made by burning herbs like garlic (lesun), cloves (laung), Carom seeds (ajwain), Licorice (Jeshthmadha), Eucalyptus leaves (nilgiri) in a pan until charcoal black. This can be done in baby’s room. You can use any 3 of these to create a herbal smoke. Please Note – keep it away from the baby

5. Potli or Hot Bag

Made by roasting herbs like garlic (lesun), cloves (laung), Carom seeds (ajwain). Tie the hot herbs in a cloth to make a potli or a pouch. Rub the potli on baby’s chest like a hot pad or keep it near the bed. The smell or smoke from the potli does wonders. Please note- ensure the pouch or potli is not too hot to burn your child

 

Babies (6-12 Months)

The above remedies can also be used for toddlers. Apart from them below are some more home remedies for babies (6-12 Months)

6. Turmeric Paste

Mix turmeric powder in water. Heat it until warm. Apply the warm paste to the child’s forehead and chest. This age-old remedy helps in instant relief in cold and cough.

7. Dry Ginger Powder Paste

Mix dry ginger or suntha powder in water. Apply the paste to the child’s forehead and chest. This age-old remedy helps in instant relief in cold and cough. Please Note – the paste may cause a little burning sensation. Please remove it if a child is irritated.

8. Ajwain or Carrom seed water

Take 1 glass of water in a pan. Add ½ tsp ajwain or carom seed. Boil the water until half. Cool the water. Give 1-2 tsp of this ajwain water 3-4 times a day. Please note – For babies 6-8 months give ½ tsp of ajwain water 2-3 times a day

9. Steam

Use Vaporizer, humidifier or a steamer to give steam to your child. Generate steam in bathroom by putting on the geyser and make the child sit in bathroom for min 10-15 minutes. You can even add some drops of essential oils like eucalyptus, clove to the hot water. Please Note- Do not keep your child alone in the bathroom Buy Best & Safe Humidifier for Babies

10. Massage

Give a warm oil massage to the child. You can use mustard oil, coconut oil. May add a pinch of camphor or garlic clove in the oil for better results

Toddlers (1-3 Years)

11. Honey

Honey soothes the irritated throat. ½ – 1 tsp of honey 2-3 times gives instant relief. Add a pinch of pepper or dry ginger powder helps quick relief in cold and cough.

Buy Pure & Organic Honey

12. Turmeric Milk

Dadiji Ka Nuska – Turmeric Milk or Haldi doodh. This desi health drink is the best home remedy for curing the common cold and cough in toddlers, kids, and adults

For detailed recipe click image

13. Tulsi Ka Kadha

The Tulsi herb (Indian Basil) has been widely known for its health-promoting properties – for body, mind, and spirit for over 5000 years. Tulsi Kashayaor Tulsi kadha is a perfect home remedy for cough and cold. This can be given to toddlers, kids and even helps adults whenever first signs of cold and cough are seen.

For detailed recipe click the image

14. Ginger Kashaya

Ginger tea or ginger decoction is the best Ayurvedic natural medicine for cold and cough. Drinking Adrak ka kadha helps in benefiting instantly and avoiding regular visit to doctor and taking medicines.

For detailed recipe click image

15. Besan ka sheera

Traditional Dadiji ka Nuska, Besan ka sheera or halwa works wonders in treating cold and cough in babies, toddlers, kids and adults. This can be given to 8 months + babies.

For detailed recipe click image

Organic jaggery powder (Shop Now), homemade dates sugar or homemade dates syrup  best substitute for refined sugar.

16. Pepper Rasam

Rasam made of pepper ‘the king of spices’ gives an instant relief from runny nose and sore throat. Can be given to 8 months+. This pepper rasam improves digestion, helps build immunity and also is dadi’s best home remedy for treating cough, cold and fever in first stage.

For detailed recipe click image

Kids (3 Years +)

All the above solutions can also be used

17. Inhale Vaporubs or Medicated Vapors

You can use a steamer machine for inhalation. Also can apply vaporubs to the forehead, neck and chest which helps loosen the blocked nasal tract and phlegm.

Buy Steamer

18. Gargling

Gargle with warm water, turmeric and salt helps in providing relief to soar and irritated throat. Plain warm water gargle also helps loosen the phlegm.

19. Pepper, Garlic, Pudina Rice

Another best option for giving all healing spices like ginger, pepper, garlic, pudina, cardamom etc is making different varieties of yummy rice dishes using one or more of these spices. Below is Sweet Corn Pepper Rice Recipe, we shall update with many such recipes in future here.

For detailed recipe click image

20. Soups

Giving hot soups helps in keeping the body hydrated and also can provide instant relief from cold and cough. Carrot soup, vegetable soup helps to increase energy and immunity to fight the illness. Soups can be given to 8 months + babies. Carrot Tomato Soup & Vegetable Dal Soup (click on images for recipe)

    

Precautions to be taken Pre & Post Cold and Cough Season

Usually monsoons, winters are the main season where you or your child tends to suffer from cold and cough. Some precautions to be taken pre and post cold, cough, and flu

• Washing hands, legs thoroughly to keep the germs away

• Washing the bed sheets, clothes with proper disinfectant

• Keep the home clean. Wash all surfaces that came in contact with before or during the sickness

• Keep your child out of daycare or school when they are ill

• Use disinfectants to clean the humidifier, steamer, or vaporizers

• Cold and cough is something that comes and goes away. Lots of love, care and some precautions will help you and your little one fight back the cold and cough allergens.

Video: Best 20 HOME REMEDIES for COUGH and COLD for Babies, Toddlers, and Kids

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