21/2 Year Old Son with Drippy Cold/cough NEED ADVISE PLEASE !!!!

There are two things that seemed to help my little guys (ages 3 and 18 months). I would dissolve a Halls in hot/warm water, let it cool down but still give it to him while it was on the hot side of warm, and that helped get out even more (which is good!). My husband would also give them warm/hot water with honey, lemon, and salt. Honey soothes the throat. Lemon helps clear infection. Salt actually helps clear mucous. It sounds funny, but the kids really drank it up!

My daughter, 5 now, right around 2 1/2 going on 3 she had post nasal action, we dealt with it, and come march it would get better. Fall comes starts back up again. We went back and forth between allergy medicines and stuff, actually still dealing with it because they cant tell me what she is allergic too. Anywho, you can try apple cider vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon, so its a small amount put it in the medicine dropper thingy and squirt it in there and have some juice ready to go right after. It helped clear up anything stuck in her throat and stuff. Didnt help the dripping too much. But, tonight actually, I am taking my daughter in for a sleep study to see how she sleeps and how much it is interuppted, we are in april now so she does a lot better now. But, from what I get from a lot of moms is their child ends of getting their tonsils and adnoids taken out and that helps a lot. Call the Ear, nose, and throat clinic and see if you can get him a consult.

My daughter had the same symptoms (she was just over 12 months at the time) and at the end it was the result of an allergy. I took her to the pediatrician who subscribed chronic medication which made all the difference. Hope this helps.

Sounds like you're doing everything right...you could also try saline nasal spray to help dry up the mucus & vicks vapor rub on his chest at night (or the soles of his feet...believe it or not, that can actually help with a cough! Just be sure to have him wear socks over them). My son went through a period of about 2 months with these same symptoms over the winter, but it's cleared up now.

You've received a lot of good answers so far, and you are already doing a lot to help your little guy! My daughter was sick almost every 3-4 weeks from October to February and it was so frustrating. She was 18-22 months and was 25 pounds. We did the same kinds of things that you did, but also added some homeopathic treatments. Since our son is over 2, there are a number of homeopathic cough remedies that you can try by reputable companies. I couldn't use most of them because my daughter was under 2. Also, we used Hyland's C Plus Cold Care, which can help with runny noses. Also, we used a KingBio (homeopathic) spray for sinuses--it's the same for adults and kids, you just adjust the dosage. The spray tastes like water, so it's easier to give than some of the herbal things. That worked for a few days for us. Ultimately, since the coughing was so bad (and my daughter's congestion wasn't loose enough to come out, as we used saline and suctioned her often!), we called the doctor back. He gave us Tussionex, which is the prescription cough medicine that adults get. It has a stronger antihistamine in it and it did take help a bit. The dosage was very small, like 1-2ml. Trust me, I am very much into natural remedies, but when your toddler is unable to sleep because of coughing, it can really wear you down! And, if you can avoid the antibiotics, but relieve his symptoms, that would be an added bonus. By the way, we did take her to an allergist, and the allergist felt that she did not exhibit characteristics of allergies (food or environmental). She suggested that our daughter was just building her immune system through the unfortunate string of colds/upper respiratory infections. And once winter was over, it was true, she has not been sick! Hopefully you can find out the cause of the issue--whether it's dairy sensitivity, environmental allergies or just something that is too much for his immune system to fight off. Good luck and hope you all gte some sleep!

Claritin for allergies might help but not sure of the dosage for a little guy. One of my boys was like that a lot when younger and as he has gotten older we discovered several severe allerigies, so you might him him checked for that.

Usually a runny nose-is something that disagrees with him- check what you are feeding him- WestonPrice.com is my best reference.
A symptom is the body's way of telling you there is a problem- the idea of hiding that symptom with a drug is a hats off to the drug company advertising and leaves us open to worse symptoms later- look at what the body is trying to tell you- runny nose is a way the liver - that's right liver reacts to too much stuff that is difficult for the body to process.
I can see that you are doing alot very well- but that he has the symptom is a chance to look further. Fienglod is another place to look to help find what may be reacting with your little guy.
best,k

Antihistamines are the only thing out there that can help to dry things up ( I am a pharmacist). There are 2 once a day, non-sedating antihistamines (already mentioned), Claritin and Zyrtec. Both are available generically. Benadryl is a shorter acting one, but if it's just the night time that you're worried about, and the sleepiness isn't a concern, then it usually will work better. Before using any of these, though, please talk with your pediatrician. No one on this site can diagnose what's going on with your child, and before giving him any medication, you should run it by someone who is familiar with his medical history.

Please check with your pediatrician, but my son is almost the exact same age and he's also 33 pounds. He has been on Zyrtec (cetirizine) liquid since he was about 18 months old. It is available over the counter, but get his doctor's okay first. Our dose is 2.5 mls (one-half teaspoon) once daily in the evening. This helped my son with the cough, drip, runny nose, and seems to have decreased his ear/sinus infections. As a pharmacist I feel really safe about it - but of course make sure your doctor feels the same. I know it's working because when he misses doses when he goes to dad's all that drainage is right back. The zyrtec (or generic) works really well. Hope this is helpful!
Kristen

I have been dealing with the same thing, but my son is 4. His pediatrician put him on 3 different kinds of allergy meds - Zyrtec, Cingulair, and Nasonex. Unfortunately, the caugh still happens at night but not during the day any more. The only other suggestion she gave me was honey. Give him a spoon full before bed time to coat the throat.

It sounds like you are on the right track. I know it is challenging when they are little like that weezing and coughing at night. Like so many others already said, there might be some allergic reaction going on. I found a product in the health food store that my holistic pediarician recomended.... It's a natural herbal expectorant "Children's Expec" by Naturade. Look at the foods like dairy, sugar and white processed flour that can really increase the muchus in the body. Beside nutrition and plenty of outside activity we use a product called "Immunity" to support our sons immune system. It is by a company I have worked with for years. Very effective, food based and all organic. Good luck with all.

All of the previous post are great ,but, if it continues for more than a couple of weeks ,take him to the pediatrician, it could be he has ear/tube problems that sometimes present themselves as cold syptoms. (He may need tubes.) Ask for a consult with an ENT Dr. Good luck to you ,hope things get better ! C. S.

I know how you feel, but I was never a fan of cough medicine, it only seem to make them worse. I am a big fan of vick's vapor rub. I rub a small amount on their upper chest area (a little goes a long way and too much will make them warm, so experiment with a very little at a time and then add a little here and there until you get to the amount that works for you little one. Depending on the cold and how bad it is I would sometimes rub it on their back and front (again I stress just a little on each). This made them sleep all night without coughing. I hope this helps.

Sounds like allergies. Call the Ped. We have our son on Zyrteck once a day. It helps a lot. This is the worst allergy season.

i'm not one to give my 3 year old medicine unless absolutely necessary. so when my boy has a cold or is coughing all day/night, or has a hard time breathing due to a runny nose, i try and boost his immune system. on to of what you are doing (humidifier, raised head while sleeping), try giving him echinacea, elderberry syrup, alot of probiotic yogurt, and an overload of fluids (water). after a couple days, he'll be all better =) also, at this age, try teaching him to blow when you put a kleenex to his nose, this will help as well.

Dear Caroline,

I agree, making healthy eating a priority does make a big difference in your family's health but children struggle just as we adults do with eathing right especially in terms of getting the "recommended daily servings of fruits and vegetables". And, sugar is a culprit too, it wrecks havoc on the immune system ... not certain the vitamins you use but there is a chewable unlike any other solft chewable product Juice Plus ... have you heard of it? The good news is Juice Plus helps bridge the gap between what we should eat and what we actually eat - every day without the sugar. It's also offered in a capsule that can be opened and sprinkled on food. All good nutritionists as well as the food pyramid recommended we eat 7-13 servings of fruits and vegtables every day. Dr. William Sears renowned pediatrition recommends this to his patients. And, if you have a child(ren) between 4-18 years you can get it for them for FREE. If you would like more information please let me know.

For better health,
c.

PS. Juice Plus is substantiated by peer-reviewed published research studies done throughout the world ... that's evidence based research that PROVES is supports the immune system!

Allergies are probably the culprit. This is a very bad season - mine are crazy. Take him to the pediatrician.
Some kids do well with Zyrtec - some Clariton. You may have to experiment. Give medicine at night so it will be in full effect by morning.
For adults the BEST is the Neti pot (Walgreens $14) washses off your sinuses - it's amazing! The kids version is put them in a bath and let them play awhile, by playing an putting their face in the water.

I would guess it is allergies too. My son takes zyrtec now (he is older/smaller than your son but gets 3/4 tsp/day... I'd ask your Dr. Many of the kids in our playgroup take it- this is a lousy allergy season!

PS - If it lasts mor than 2 weeks, or if he has a fever with it for more than 3 days, I'd go to (or back to) the Dr, he may have a sinus infection & may need antibiotics.

You can try baby vicks vapor rub.. they have one that is milder than the one for us.. its good for babies 3 months and older. Sounds like you are doing everything right. As long as its clear there is no infection. He may be big enough to try to blow his nose.. you can teach him how and that may help to get the stuff out. Hope this helps! Good Luck!!

Childrens triaminic? My dr says it's ok.

Put saline drops in his nose at every diaper change. This will keep his ears free of bad fluid and congestion. If ears are stuffy too much it really has an effect on their auditory processing later on in school. I would buy Elderberry syrup. It is safe and effective for preventing colds and clearing them up.

you sound like you are doing a great job to help him feel better! i hate when mine is sick too! I do give her tynol if she is really bad and she is 20 lbs just ask your dr. first but i am pretty sure they will agree. you can also take them in the shower w/ you (bathroom or IN the water) it will help and all the steam is better than a humidifer bc it will build up more in the small room. oh and you can use cheast rub too, again ask your dr please. I know most kids will not let you go near them w/ a nose 'sucker' but if yours will do so bc that will really help. we got this one that looks so nasty but is the best thing ever! Nosefrida The Snotsucker Nasal Aspirator they have it at amazon: and there is NO WAY that the boogers get in your mouth and yeah i repeate it looks gross but works amazing!!! good luck, feel better lo. xo

saline drops. vaporizer. sounds like allergies, maybe some benedryl?

Caroline,

Don't be so quick to think of this as a cold. My two sons went through very similiar problems before we found out that it was allergies. Not saying that is what your son has but it does sound very similiar to what my sons symptons were. You should definitely see the pediatrian and have him checked out. If he isn't runny a fever chances are it isn't a cold or virus it is something else. Good luck.

S.