Natural Healing
When you have little ones it can be stressful, exhausting and even scary when they show symptoms of a cold coming on. You know they need some extra loving care, but deciding what they need to help ease their symptoms is trickier.
I have created a list of the things that seem to help my children the most. I am not a doctor and this is general information only. Always speak with your health care provider or pediatrician if you are concerned about your child’s health.
Rest
This may seem like a no-brainer because most of us want to sleep or relax when we don’t feel well, but that is not always the case with children. Even when they’re not feeling themselves they still tend to go go go.
Be sure to remind them that rest is best and turn on a good show or read them a few extra stories. They will love the attention and snuggles.
Fluids
It’s always important to stay hydrated, but we all need more liquids when we’re not feeling well. Even a little runny nose can leave your body low on fluids.
When a child is not feeling well it can be difficult to get them to drink something. Especially water. If they’re not wanting to drink for you, then popsicles can be a great way to replenish their bodies. Not many children will turn down ice cream.
Shower Steam
If your child is congested shower steam can be quite helpful. The hot steam will loosen their mucus, making it easier for them to blow it out. Shower steam is also great for a croup cough, nasal irritation, and swollen blood vessels.
When I do this for my children, I will turn the hot shower on, and then close the curtain so they don’t touch the hot water. I will then bring them into the bathroom, close the door, and have them sit on the toilet for about 15 minutes.
If their very sick or it is the middle of the night I will just hold them in my lap. My daughter is almost 5 now, so a couple weeks ago when she was sick we actually sat on the bathroom floor and played the game Trouble.
Humidifier
A cool mist humidifier is handy when your child has a cold and a cough. During the winter months the air gets very dry. This irritates both the nose and the throat.
When using a humidifier it is important to change the water and clean the basin daily. Mine even states that I should sanitize it weekly. If your humidifier is not cared for properly you risk it growing and spreading mold and mildew.
Saline Nasal Spray
This helps keep your little ones’ nose moist rather than crusty. It also helps loosen up mucus, making it easier for them to blow it out.
You can make your own nasal spray too if you would like. It’s super easy.
- Add two to three teaspoons of non-iodized salt to one pint of water.
Organic Throat Soothing Pops
These are basically cough drops on a stick for little ones. The recommended age is 3 +.
I buy Lolleez for my children. This particular brand makes flat suckers rather than round. I feel that flat suckers are safer which is what drew me to them. I also love the fact that they are organic, made with honey, and contain elderberry. If for some reason you want to skip the elderberry, they do make some without it.
Honey
Honey has been helpful when my little ones have been sick. It calms their cough and soothes their throats. Anytime one of them begins coughing I give them a teaspoon of honey. I also give them honey before they go to sleep because sick children always seem to cough the most in the middle of the night.
This is safe and effective as long as your child is at least 1 year old. NEVER give honey to a child less than 1-year-old. A dangerous type of food poisoning, botulism, can occur.
Here is a great recipe using honey. This will help their cough, immune system, and keep them hydrated.
- 1 TBSP of lemon juice
- 2 TBSP of honey
- 1/2 cup or more of hot water
Feel free to change the amount of lemon or honey to their liking.
Pineapple Juice
Pineapple juice is great for coughs and colds. Many studies have shown that it helps break up mucus and soothes throats. From observing my children, I do believe it helps.
This may be because pineapple contains bromelain. Bromelain contains anti-inflammatory properties that appear to help with respiratory issues.
Garlic
Garlic is one of nature’s miracle drugs. You may find it difficult to get your little ones to eat it, but finding a way that works is worth it.
Garlic has antibacterial and antiviral properties. This is why garlic is great at fighting off colds, keeping germs away, and healing many health issues. I’ll save those for another post though.
Studies have shown that those who take garlic supplements have fewer colds than those who do not. One study in particular even proved that those who took garlic supplements fought off colds faster than those who did not make garlic a part of their diet.
If you are unable to get your children to eat garlic and they are too young for supplements here is a drink you could make for them
- Crush 3 garlic cloves (let the garlic sit for 15 minutes after chopping, this is when the Allicin is released)
- Add the crushed garlic to 1 cup of boiling hot water for 5-10 minutes
- Remove the garlic
- Add the juice from about 1/2 of a lemon to the drink, and some honey to taste
Elevate Mattress
You can do this by using a rolled towel or even yoga mat. You would just slide this under the top of your little ones mattress.
I have always found this much safer and easier than using an extra pillow. My children would never be able to sleep propped up on two pillows even if I did try.
Photo by Nataliya Vaitkevich
