Toddler Cold Remedies

The start of the new preschool year is here!  And unfortunately, so is the start of the cold season.  My toddler spent the majority of last night awake with her first cold of the new school year 🙁  I thought I would share just a few of the toddler cold remedies I try with my little ones when they get sick to minimize the use of medication (especially since they are too young to really take any cold medicine yet).

Please let me start by saying I am NOT a physician, these are just personal anecdotes.  Always consult with your child’s pediatrician for any health concerns!  Below are my go to toddler cold remedies.

• Stand in a steamy bathroom for 10 minutes.  This helps to loosen her congestion.  Depending on how bad her cold is, I may do this several times throughout the day.  Especially before nap and bed.  And when she wakes up in the middle of the night with nasal drainage or a sore throat, this always seems to help calm her down so she can go back to sleep.
• Honey (now that they are both over 1 year old).  Again, this seems to help a little with her congestion and sore throat.  I know it seems like a lot of sugar, but I will give her up to a teaspoon before bed.

•  Nasal saline drops/spray.  I still use the drops in my younger kiddo’s nose, but now use a spray for my older one…she loves to help and try to spray it up her own nose.
• Chamomile tea.  I drink this all the time when I’m not feeling well.  And believe it or not, my 3 year old loves to have her own cup of “real” tea and not pretend tea like she normally has with our tea parties.  Chamomile just has a nice calming effect, and of course it’s a tea with no caffeine, because my heavens, she sure doesn’t need any caffeine!

• Clementines or orange juice (Vitamin C).  Great for the immune system so I figure I should give her all the help I can.

• Last but not least, her very own tissue box to make her feel special.  🙂 I wrap a tissue box in brown paper that she can color all over, and just have a little something to put a smile on her face when she feels crummy.