S.W. asks from Eagle Lake, MN on February 09, 2009
Common Cold Remedies?
Hello Everyone,
I'm sure this is a common question but I wanted to ask. My 6 1/2 mo old son has the common cold. I'm still breastfeeding and after he eats he has to cough badly. He usually ends up vomiting because there is flem stuck in his throat. My main question is: How can I get rid of that flem, quickly. He isn't dehydrated and he's not vomiting the whole meal up. I have tried saline drops through the nose. His nose is also very stuffy. Can anyone help me with a good remedy that has helped them?
Thank you very much!
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T.H. answers from Minneapolis on February 10, 2009
If you are not already using a humidifier then that is a good start. Also with him being 6 months old you can get the pediatric vapor plug ins. They are in the pharmacy and work great.
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J.C. answers from Minneapolis on February 10, 2009
this sounds silly. but put some baby Viks on his feet then put his socks on before he goes down for his nap. it WORKS!
even for adults.
my baby boy has a strong gag reflex too and would vomit after eating a lot with his cough. it goes away as they get older.
C.K. answers from Minneapolis on February 09, 2009
Hi S.,
Another mom just asked a similar question, but she has a 2 year old!
There isn't much you can give a baby that is 6 months old.... I would run a vaporizer 24/7 near the baby. You could also run your shower real hot and and shut the door and let the bathroom get all steamy like a sauna, and then sit in there for a few minutes.
The saline is good--keep up with the saline.
T.H. answers from Minneapolis on February 10, 2009
If you are not already using a humidifier then that is a good start. Also with him being 6 months old you can get the pediatric vapor plug ins. They are in the pharmacy and work great.
L.G. answers from Minneapolis on February 10, 2009
I got this remedy from my midwife, but haven't used it yet. I probably should. Anyway, you can squirt breast milk in his nose because it is the perfect salinity. I suppose the saline drops would seem easier, but I've heard that breast milk is very powerful for healing. My only problem is that I haven't quite mastered the art of hand expressing my milk. If you would like to read up more on the subject, check out this link: http://www.mothering.com/articles/new_baby/breastfeeding/...
T.V. answers from Lincoln on February 10, 2009
there isn't really any medicine that you can give at this age. I bought one of those pedicare plug in vapor things for my boys. it works good for them when they're stuffed up.
L.M. answers from Minneapolis on February 10, 2009
Can you find a way to feed him so he is sitting up rather than laying down across you lap? Or pump for a few days so he can eat from the bottle sitting up. Also, water is better when they are sick. You can pump and freeze breast milk and give mostly water to drink for a couple days. It will not hurt him. When my oldest was 4 months he had rotovirus and my doctor told me to only give water and pedialite until he stopped vomitting. It was several days, but was fine.
V.R. answers from Omaha on February 10, 2009
hey there,
i know how hard itv is to see ur son suffering..........trust me i have two kids one is 3.6 yrs old and one is 1.6 yrs old..so whenever they have cold i dont give them curd related items.........avoid chilled food..try giving him spicy soups like tomato or vegetable soup with lots of pepper.........u can try this also.....boil a glass of milk along with 1/2 tsp of pepper powder......cool it and give to him daily morning empty stomach..........it works really............u can also give warm milk mixed with a bit of turmeric........all these home remedies were told from my grand mother and i follow them as they really work. and also vicks vapour balm which u can apply on nose chest back neck....daily night.
i hope it may help u
bye
M.W. answers from Eau Claire on February 10, 2009
A humidifier in his room will help a lot. Otherwise, there's not much else to do for a common cold. (It just needs to run its course, just try to make him as comfortable as possible....) It is great that you are still breastfeeding! (I know it can be a challenge nursing a baby with a stuffy nose).
Some moms I know use baby vicks vapor rub, although my physician husband said they have found vicks sometimes makes the irritation worse. Good luck!
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