Babies suffer from cough and cold more than they do from any other ailment, and it is difficult to administer any therapy, remedy or medication to them. The doctors, world over, do not recommend any over the counter prescription for infant’s cough. The American Academy for Pediatrics (AAP) is against these treatments and syrups for infants less than two years old.But there is no need to despair, because there are many effective home remedies that can treat cough of infants.
List Of Home Remedies For Children
Give Honey
Honey is a very good remedy for babies, as it is very gentle and effective. For babies less than a year, there is a risk of infection with honey, so they should not be given any honey.If honey is being given at bedtime make sure that their teeth are brushed, to prevent dental cavities.
Steam Inhalation
Giving steam inhalation to your little one? A very good remedy indeed, but be ready to inhale the steam yourself. Without that, it is impossible to give them the steam. The steam treatment can be administered in two ways, one is with a mini sauna, that is like a facial sauna and the second is in the steam filled bathroom.
If using a mini sauna or a vessel with steaming water cover yourself and the baby in a sheet with the steam unit inside. Now remain inside for about 10 to 15 minutes. Know that your baby will not like to remain inside for as long as you can. Keep the temperature lower than you think your baby can tolerate.Bathroom can be filled with steam by running hot water from the geyser. Take the baby inside for about 20 minutes. Let the steam die down, cover the baby and yourself well and come out in the room where there is no breeze.
Humidify The Room
Keep the room humid during dry days or nights. Either use your humidifier or boil some water in the room and allow the steam to evaporate and make the room humid.
Hydrate
Keep your infant well hydrated. The dry and scratchy throat will be helped immensely with water.
Use Rubs
There is an excellent rub that can be made with nutmeg. Take the nutmeg kernel, half will be enough as it is very potent. Grind it into a fine powder, mix some water so that it becomes a paste. Rub a thin layer on your little one’s chest and back. Cover the area with a cloth and leave it for about 20 minutes. Clean it with a wet towel, preferably a lukewarm towel.
One more rub is useful, that is made with mustard oil and camphor. We put a bit of camphor in some mustard oil. Leave it for a few hours, then use this oil as a gentle rub on your baby’s chest, back and neck.Both these rubs are very good but it is advisable to do a skin patch test on your baby’s forearm or legs to check that the infant is not allergic to any of these.
Use Eucalyptus Oil
Add a few drops of eucalyptus oil, when you are giving steam or humidifying the room. This refreshing steam will relieve congestion and help treat the cough. This oil is volatile and thins the mucus, giving respite to respiratory tract. It also has the ability to fight a particular type of bacteria, that usually causes cold and cough.Do not make your baby inhale this steam for more than 15 to 20 minutes. If done over a prolonged period, its effect gets negated and can even prove harmful. Just two to three drops are enough if you are using mini sauna, for a bathroom you can use about 6 to 8 drops or some more.
Aromatherapy
Just like eucalyptus oil, try using juniper oil or thyme oil. Mix 2 or three drops of essential oils to 3 tbsp of olive oil. Give a gentle massage. The therapeutic oil will enter the skin of the baby and help sooth the respiratory passage, thus giving relief to the baby.Rub essential oils on yourself. Use this olive oil, thus mixed with the essential oil on your body too. As you hold the baby in your arms or lap, the healing fragrance of these marvelous oils will waft their way into child’s nose and bring about some relief.
Continue Nursing
The babies who are nursed, are able to fight cough better if they are not. So continue nursing the baby, even during the cold and cough.
Keep The Baby Upright
The upright posture can help the baby cope with coughing bouts better. Keep the baby in inclined position when he/she sleeps.
Prevention
Keep the baby away from allergens, because their delicate body catches cough and cold easily. See what are the other triggers, avoid all those.
