Home remedies for cough and cold

One of the most common infections of our little ones to pick up is the dreaded common cold and cough. A cold and cough isn’t the most dangerous illness, but it sure does drain your little one’s energy and make them cranky and uncomfortable. Now no one wants that feeling.

We understand that you may get worried and want to visit the doctor and start you little one on medication. However, a cold and cough can be just as effectively treated by a range of home remedies, minus all the extra chemicals that come with antibiotics.

So the next time your little one is down with a cold and cough, try one of these beneficial home remedies before calling your paediatrician!

Steam Inhalation

This is something all our grandparents, and their grandparents and so on, will swear by. If your little one is showing symptoms of a cold, cough, or the flu, give them a warm bath in a steamy bathroom or show them how to do steam inhalation.

All you will need to do is boil water till it is steamy, transfer it to a cool vessel. Put a cloth or any kind of support where their chin will rest, cover their head with a towel and ask them to inhale the steam.

How this works:

The steam helps loosen mucus in the nasal passages. A warm bath adds by relaxing your child.

Lots of rest

Any kind of infection takes a toll on your little one as their bodies expend a lot of energy to fight off the infection. Resting ensures your child heals faster and replenishes his energy while doing so. So tuck your child into bed, put on some soft soothing music and let him rest his illness away!

Honey

Winnie the Pooh knew it all along! Honey really is the best cure for anything!

If your child is older than 1, and is sniffling away, half a teaspoon of honey goes a long way in fighting a cough and cold.

Parents with children younger than 1, please don’t give your children honey as they can get botulism from bacteria in honey.

Hydration

Give your child plenty of fluids whether it is warm water, room temperature (or slightly warm) juice or plain water. Studies have shown that warm or very cold liquids thin out mucus, making it easier to cough it up. Liquids will also energise your little one and soothe their throat.

Elevate their head at bedtime

For children upwards of a year, add an extra pillow under their head when they sleep. The extra elevation will help them breathe easier

So, super parents, the next time your little one is down with a cough and cold try these remedies for instant relief without antibiotics!