Safer Ways to Soothe Kids’ Symptoms

Last year manufacturers voluntarily pulled over-the-counter (OTC) cough and cold medicines for infants and toddlers under 2 off store shelves. Since then headlines and airwaves have been buzzing with news about the risks of giving kids cold medicine too. The American Academy of Pediatrics has declared OTC products ineffective for treating coughs and colds in children under 6, and advisors to the FDA have publicly warned parents of the potential for serious side-effects.

All this worry has left many parents looking for ways to soothe kids’ symptoms without medication. Besides the timeless standards (plenty of rest, lots of liquids and good nutrition), try these remedies to soothe soar throats, ease stuffy sinuses and comfort their coughs:

Honey 
A study on child’s cough symptoms published in the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine compared using honey, traditional over-the-counter cough medicine, and doing nothing at all. Parents were asked about their children’s symptoms before and after treatment. While all of the three groups showed some improvement over time, honey came out on top, consistently rated the most effective remedy. Honey should never be given to children under age 12 months old (due to the risk of botulism), but for kids over 1, honey—served straight by the spoonful or generously stirred into tea—can be administered as often as kids’ throats want soothing (try a teaspoon every couple of hours to start).

Salt Water 
Researchers in Europe showed that a saline nasal wash eased cold symptoms faster than standard nasal decongestants alone in kids ages 6 to 10. (Children in the saline nasal wash group used the nasal wash six times per day during the first two to three weeks, and three times per day during the remaining study period, which was twelve weeks long.) What’s more, the saline rinse treatment seemed to prevent or slow recurrence of infection. How does it work? Health experts believe it washes away mucus and the germs trapped in it while moistening sinus membranes to help them stay resistant to infection.

Administering a nasal rinse (often quite uncomfortable at first) several times daily to school-age kids is definitely more time-intensive than administering a quick slurp of cough medicine or having them pop pills, but if it’s safer and more effective, why not give it a try? You can encourage kids to sniff warm salt water from cupped hands in the shower or bath, use a neti pot (specially designed for nasal irrigation and available at health or drug stores), a squeeze bottle or syringe device, a nasal bulb aspirator (for infants), or try nasal saline drops.

Humidity
A cool-mist humidifier safely adds moisture to the air which, in turn, moistens nasal passages and helps thin some of the mucous in sinus passages. This makes it easier for your little cold sufferer to breathe and easier for the mucous to drain. In addition to acting like a decongestant in this way, humid air feels warmer than dry air, which can be a comfort in winter (and—bonus!—saves on heating bills). Just be sure to follow manufacturers’ directions when it comes to keeping your humidifier clean to avoid spreading bacteria, mold or mineral deposits into the air.

If your child has a fever of 102°F, watch how he or she acts. Call your doctor if the fever rises or lasts for more than 3 days. In children 3 months to 2 years of age, if the temperature is 103°F, you should call your doctor immediately, even if your child seems to feel fine.