Seeking Help with Toddler's Chest Congestion and Runny Nose

I had the same problems with my kids during certain times of the year. My pediatrician wanted to prescribe zyrtec and we did that for awhile but it really altered her behavior. I was at my end when a friend told me about ALJ you can get it at the healthfood store. It is a lifesaver. It is for congestion and mucus. It thins it out and helps clear it up. It comes in liquid and capsules. It is great for asthma patients people with bronchial issues and just runny noses. My kids only tkae it when something is coming on now but in the beginning I gave them more to get it in their system. I don't use anything else. It is amazing stuff. Hope this helps.

1 mom found this helpful

Hi E.-

If it's a really bad, barky cough you might want to see your pediatrician. My daughter used to get this cough a lot whenever she would get a cold and the only thing that ever worked was a prescription for Orapred (?). It's a quick dissolving tablet that always seemed to take care of the cough within 48 hours.

Otherwise for just a cold I've had really good luck with the Vick's plug in vapor things. I have one for each of my kids' rooms and I use the pads at night whenever they are congested. Also, a humidifier of course is always helpful.

Good luck,
K.

First I suggest taking him to the dr since he has fever.

Second, unless the dr. says otherwise, I always use saline spray for my daughter. Saline is a water and salt solution. It will help break up the mucous. Also, I try to give her a lot of water. This will help break it up in his chest.

Oh, how I feel for you. It is so hard watching your little one sick. I am not a big believer in Meds unless necessary, so here is what I do. I do the same for my 7mo old, and my 3 yr old. I use a humidifier, and turn off the fan in the bedroom while they sleep. I also use a saline/water spray in their noses (yes, they hate it, but so worth it). I warm it in a bottle warmer, and then hold or have them stand over the sink, and squeeze a little into each nostril. I let this work for a minute, and then aspirate, or have them blow their nose. It really works well. Another thing I do is use Vicks Baby Rub (all natural) on their feet w socks. I apply this as often as needed, and it works miracles with coughing.

Hope that helps!

Vapor rub or plug ins work well at night. Also, saline and a bulb syringe to clean out the nose. Vapor baths are some of my boys favorites. These are all temporary relief. See your dr. if you are really concerned. I use the kids mucinex, but mine are older (11,8,4).

Hi E.
What helps with my son whenever he's congested is rubbing Vicks Chest Rub on him, also childrens Claritin to treat the allergies. I've seen the 'Little Noses' medicines for kids at the stores too, you may find one that would help all his symtoms.

Hello E.,

I would suggest maybe a humidifier in his bedroom at night when he goes to bed. For the temperature, you can rub him down in alchol (chest, legs, arms, neck) (mix with some water to tone it done in a large bowl and put a cover over him a a little bit right after because his pores will be open. One last thing that I did with my children was use a bulb to release some secretions in his nose(he may not like it)and play that by as to how often. The package will give direction on how to properly use it.

I pray the responses you get will help him.

L.

If you think it is just a cold I would treat the symptoms with Tylenol or Ibuprofen. My daughter had the same symptoms with a low fever and I started her on childrens claritin and it worked great. If her fever is high I would take her to the doc to make sure it hasn't turned into an ear infection or something else. Good luck.

Is he still eating? If not, that combined with him getting a fever, I would take him to the dr. You can give him tylenol for any discomfort and put a humidifier in his room to help with the congestion. The reason I asked about the eating thing is that my son is now on his third bout of strep throat. Apparently it is really going around right now so you might just want to take him in for a culture of his throat just to rule that out. Toddler symptoms are coughing, sneezing, irritability, fever, not eating, congestion. You can ask him if his throat hurts and look at it if he will let you, mine won't! You can also feel the glands on his neck, under his jaw bone to see if they feel swollen. My doctor told me his office has been flooded with cases and my mother said some people at her office were out for days with strep. I sure hope that little one gets to feeling better asap!!

A humidifier or vaporizor will help him with that. A good trick is putting a little bit of the vics liquid in the water. It really clears them right up in about 3 days. Hope this helps.

Rub Vicks Vapor Rub on the bottom of his and put socks on-at night. It works wonders. I also put the Vicks on the night shirt around the chest area-NOT ON THE SKIN.

When it comes to your child's health issues, why wouldn't you seek the advice of a pediatrician? That's their sole purpose in life is to be there to help get your little one well.
However, if you don't have health insurance, and therefore can't afford to take him to a pediatrician, there's always the following web site:
http://pediatrics.about.com/od/askapediatrician/Ask_a_Ped...

http://www.askthepediatrician.com/

HTH,
Jen

I suggest you take him to the doctor. I am a certified medical assist with 39 hrs of nursing courses, anytime he has a fever and conjestion it can go into his chest and cause pneumonia. I am scared for babies 2-4 having those symptoms. I dont mean to scare you but I have a 6 month old grandson with asthma and brochitis.

Be blessed,

Gwen

Humidifier at night. Vick's right under the nose. Vick's on the bottom of his feet when he sleeps and put old socks on to protect the sheets. I would do this when I was pregnant and had a cold.

For the fever I would add Tylenol.

Lots of love.