Can Anyone Recommend a Natural Remedy My 2 Yr Old Can Take to Help Prevent Colds

Go to Whole Foods and find the kids homeopathic wellness drops. They have a good selection of drops for kids that work well. Not too spendy either.

J. Van Riper
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Hi there. You have received a lot of good advice but I wanted to echo what was said about vitamin D during the winter months. Last year my twin boys started pre-school and were sick from November through May (almost non-stop). I was losing my mind. This year it has been totally different. we've had only a couple of very minor colds. I add liquid Vitamin D drops (for kids) to their milk in the morning and I think this is really helping. I got mine at Foodfront co-op in NW but I'm sure other stores will have it too. Probiotics are also great for the immune system, so I mix in a probiotic powder into their milk also. Another think I added this year is a chewable tablet that has elderberry and astragalas in it. Astragalas is GREAT for kids (and adults) who are in germy environments a lot. This product is by Nature's Sunshine and is called "Elderberry Plus." The Vitamin D drops are called "Carlson baby D Drops." I think there is some truth that the first year of pre-school or day care can just be brutal and then the next year the immune system is a lot stronger. I think that is what we are experiencing this year. I do think the vitamin D and elderberry vitamins are helping. If you kids do catch something, I really like the "Wellness Kids" product which is a liquid herbal mix that you can put in juice, milk, whatever. They have an adult version too that is really good. If I'm the one fighting a cold, I pull out the big guns and crush garlic cloves and swallow them with water. This doesn't work if the garlic is in a pill form or is already crushed and has been sitting. You want the freshly crushed garlic and it does wonders for all kinds of bugs. I also have an arsenal of homeopathic remedies that I use if my kids get sick. One of the best is called "Alium Cepa" and it is for those super runny colds with a lot of sneezing and snot everywhere. You can get the 30C strength at most stores and they are in those little blue Boiron tubes. Just ask someone for help and they will tell you where it is. Alium Cepa works well for allergies too.

At the first sign of a cold, start dosing with a chewable Vit. C. 500 mg twice a day for a child under 4. 1000 mg twice a day for a child 4 and up. Up to 6,000 mg for an adult. On top of a good daily vitamin. Most naturopathic clinics either carry or can recommend a good daily. You can also check with them on dosage of Vit. C.

Foods high in Vit. A and Zinc will help as well. Garlic is great for the immune system too.

Good luck!

Check out www.monavie.com. You would want her to drink the Original juice. In 1 ounce there is over 1,000 mg of antioxidants. I have been drinking it for almost a year and I hardly ever get sick. When I start feeling like I am getting something I drink extra and it never fully get's me. When my kids are sick I make them drink it and it is gone within a couple days. There are so many other things it helps with as well, not just makes them healthier. Let me know if you want more info but it is amazing stuff! It has also helped me with pain, arthritis and I have lost 40 pounds since being on the juice.

C.

J. - This may sound pretty silly, but....

Oranges every day. My son's love the easy peel ones. My son also loves all natural orange juice.
Make sure she drinks lots of water every day. A hydrated body is a helathy body.
Make sure she is getting plenty of sleep. Naps too!!
Eating plenty of veggies.

That's all natural and things you can absolutely control. Then you don't need to be giving extra vitamins or herbal anythings....she will just be healthy with normal foods, water, and sleep. Easy peasy.
L.

I would recommend high quality fish oil-Nordic Naturals is an excellent brand-no mercury or other heavy metals that you'd definately want to watch out for. Taking it regularly is a great immune booster. Also some regular vit. C which you could increase at the 1st sign of a cold. Another good option is Quan Yin Chinese herbs which you take at the very first sign of illness-not sure if that's available for kids but someone else suggestion some drops that would be helpful. Super Supplements has the best prices. Good luck!

Also, my personal observation of my friends' families (and ours) has been that we went through a year where everyone got sick all the time and then our immune systems seemed to have gotten stronger.

Good luck! M.

Something my whole family has started using in the past 6 months is Grapefruit seed extract drops mixed with some orange juice. It is a powerful natural bacteria killer that you can use for beating colds by ingesting internally as well as treating yeast infections, nail fungus, making a spray and cleaning pesticides off fruits & veggies, treat dandruff, etc. The uses for this stuff is endless!!! It's very concentrated and quite bitter but we found that if we mix it well with orange juice, it camouflages the taste so that it is easy to drink. I make my kids what they call their "soda" which is orange juice, 3 drops of grapefruit seed extract, a dash of baking soda (to alkalinize their system) and a dash of stevia to sweeten it all and they love it because the baking soda makes it fizz a little and it kinda tastes like orange julius a bit. Anyway, my husband & I have found it to be extremely effective in preventing colds and keeping them at bay when they do start to develop.
The cheapest place to get the drops is Vitacost: http://www.vitacost.com/NutriBiotic-GSE-Liquid-Concentrat...
They cost about $12 but will last you forever because it is so concentrated and is so useful for so many other purposes that it is very worth the price. Read the reviews by everyone on the site, I found them to be very helpful. They give lots of tips & suggestions of how to get more use out of the product.
Good luck!
S.
www.hazelaid.com
All natural, organic, handmade hazelwood necklaces for the relief of eczema, acid reflux, & teething pain for babies and their families.

Lots of good advice already. Just wanted to add that when I was looking for Sinupret (recommended in Dr. Sears newsletter)--I called Babies r us and they said they didn't have it. I finally found it at Rite Aid. Also studies have shown that it helps your immune system if you get 30 min. of exercise everyday. Something that doesn't always happen when we are inside for the winter!

I give my daughter Hyland's C+ cold tablets. They're all natural and they work well to keep her runny nose from getting worse. Hyland's also has teething tablets, colic tablets, etc. in the store. They can be difficult to find. At Fred Meyer, I usually find them in the "natural food" section.

I don't have a natural remedy other than good ole vitamin C which is in Orange juice, for one. I can recommend some great supplements, though, that I have used successfully over the years of raising kids and having day care.
Mannabears are great...full of veggies and fruit along with a proprietary blend of carbohydrates that strenthen the immune system and help cells communicate effectively. Go to http://www.mannapages.com/phytolink if you want to check it out. Look for the Manna Bear sample promo...buy one box and get one free.

A good strong immune system just about takes care of everything...not just colds.

I can't recommend any certain product, but I do know that when my family gets colds a visit or two to the chiropractor greatly shortens the time we're sick, or keeps us feeling energetic while we still have symptoms.

Since we've been getting adjusted, we're also sick much less often, because chiropractors keep your nervous system in balance, which controls your immune system among all other functions of your body.

Most chiropractors will meet with you for free to discuss how they can help you and your family, and most insurances cover chiropractic. Let me know if you need the name of someone in vancouver/portland, I know a lot of doctors down there!

During a really bad bout of the stomach flu I was at Fred Meyers in their natural health section and just kind of jokingly asked if she had anything and she did. They have these drops for you or ones for kids that she said all the ladies who worked in that dept took it to keep them from getting sick working with the public all the time. You just add it to your juice or water. I have to tell you that I couldn't handle the taste of the adult one and took them both back. Also I don't remeber the name of them. They were like $8.00 a bottle. I'm sure the ladies there would help you plus if you don't likeit they will return it so it makes it easier to find out what works for you. Sorry I couldn't be a better help.

Daily vitamins are good. Make sure she gets lots of sleep since when we are tired we become more suceptible to illness. Some of the other things sound great, but it's all about hand washing. Teach her about hand sanitizer, but don't use the fruity ones since any hand sanitizer can be fatal to small children if eaten. Have her use it before she eats anything, and see if she's chewing on toys at the daycare. What is the Day Care's policy on taking children who are ill? Make sure that they are following their policy.

Also, kids develop anti-bodies to illnesses when they are little so it's not always a bad thing to have them sick. Their bodies are learning to fight off disease. I've noticed that my kids were frequently sick when they were little, but now they rarely get sick at all. (And they are all in elementary school.)

As far as chiropractors go, I've only been for a neck injury, and it helped. But, I do not believe that people can solve all their health issues through that method. Also, my husband is a doctor and thinks it's a load of hooey. It may be a placebo effect that makes it work, but then again maybe not.

Hi J.,

I have three children and all of them have different immune systems. My middle daughter by far catches the most colds and being a 'all natural' momma it was a little frustrating for me until I found Sambucol Elderberry Syrup. There is a cough syrup and then the just straight up immune support syrup. I tried it, it worked wonders (she is sensitive to echinacea which is what I had always used to combat illness so I was really relieved to find this stuff). I really didn't like the fact that it was imported from Israel (carbon footprints and all) so I started looking around for something else. My sister turned me on to the fact that Limbo's (in Portland) has dried elderberries and we started buying them and boiling them down, straining the liquid and adding honey to it and viola hardly a cold in the last 18 months. This year I went to an organic farm that has elderberries and picked them and dried them myself but my daughter says they don't taste the same. I am still working on a way to get them into her food to see if that works as well. I don't give tea to her all of the time, but if she feels like she is getting sick I get right on it and generally only have to make two batches and it seems to ward it off.

Another thing that I do for me is Airborne. I know a lot of people say it doesn't work but I can't tell you how many colds I have started feeling coming and I have been able to ward them off. They do make it for kids, but it is twice as expensive as adult and contains the same amount as 1/2 adult dose. My kids like the pink grapefruit one.

Anyway, good luck!

Hi J.,
Yes! There is an awesome way to improve the immune system with a whole food supplement called Juice Plus. It is backed up by 13 published studies which prove that it does help to improve the immune system, protect DNA, reduce free radicals and other things! It comes in capsules, chewables and gummies. The gummies would be great for your child. It costs 22.75/month, best money you will ever spend. They taste good too. You can go to my website to check it out: www.dblairjuiceplus.com. Or call me if you have questions at ###-###-####. I would love to talk to you. Have a great day.
D. B.

A friend of mine uses Sinupret for her 4 month old baby and 5 year old. She swears it works. I have seen it for sale at Babies r us. Its supposed to be a natural thing. Could probably find it also at New Seasons, etc.

Elderberry syrup is a natural immune builder, and kids love it because it's sweet. A teaspoon a day during the winter helps stave off some colds - though you can't avoid them all! You can find it at health food stores or in some regular stores too.

I'm adding the product I use cos I don't think anyone else mentioned it. Its called "Berry Well Immune Support" by Vital Kids.
My little ones have only been sick once this season. They are not in daycare, which I know makes things easier, but they are frequently in contact with other kids.
I can't prove it, but I think the difference could be that I have started doing acupressure on them. My 2 year old had her one cold earlier this season that just wouldn't go away. I took her to a pediatric Chinese Medicine Doc who taught me certain acupuncture points to press and how. Her cold cleared up, which maybe it was going to anyway, but even after the cold went, she had very chapped lips. She started insisting that I press a point on her cheek. I just did it to keep her quiet, but she asked for it several days in a row. The chapped lips cleared up and eventually I looked up the point in my text books (I am studying Chinese Medicine so I know how to.) The point she was insisting I press is used to treat amongst other things, dry lips!!
Basically what I am seeing is that children respond wonderfully to touch and they know where they need to be touched. My very excited 2 year old daughter and action packed 1 year old son, lie dead still at the touch of my hands when I give them the intention of healing. But if I use my hands to get my son into his pyjamas, it's like trying to stuff an octopus into a very small shopping bag!!
Some nights there are multiple octopi with 16 legs!
Giving acupressure to my 2 yr old daughter has created a bond we hadn't discovered, and my one year old is starting to appreciate it. I think that supplements can benefit us, but in children especially, touch is a more powerful way to go. Its what they know, so take some time to learn it. And let them teach you.

J., it's not that easy to monitor a child who is in day care. The single most important and effective way to prevent colds is to wash one's hands properly and frequently. Most of us fall short in that area. Hand to nose/eye contact is how the rhino virus is contracted. Kids are always picking at their faces, so it's essential to keep their hands as clean as possible. I wouldn't recommend antibacterial soap, for lots of reasons. But just plain soap and water used for 20-30 seconds will do the trick. She'll still get colds, and 2 year olds don't usually have the manual dexterity to wash her own hands adequately. But she can do it with help from an adult, and it's teaching her a really important skill. I really think that individual immune systems are just that. Everyone is different. Some kids just get more bugs than others. As long as your little one is eating right and lives in a healthy home, you're doing what you should be doing. I don't believe there is any wonder pill or supplement that can prevent colds. It's just basic common sense - a balanced diet with an age-appropriate vitamin supplement, if needed, works wonders. Good luck to you!

Hi J.,

A lot of great advice has been given already. Certainly push fruits and veggies, and supplementing is great too. I have read that the main reason we all get sick in the winter time is lack of sunshine and therefore we are vitamin D deficient in the winter months. Vitamin D3 tablets are inexpensive, can be ground easily and put into juice or whatever, and difficult to overdose on. I know it is hard this time of year, but whenever the sun peeks through the clouds, get her outside. Even if just for 10 minutes or so. Even just the sun on her face is therapeutic, as is fresh air. Plenty of sleep is also important. Antioxidants do wonders to boost the immune system as well, vitamin C is wonderful. Frozen berries are powerhouses of antioxidants. The darker in color the better. red cherries, blue berries, blackberries, strawberries, whatever berries you can get your hands on, and they mix up wonderfully with yogurt for smoothies. A tip on yogurt, choose the whole fat kind, not the lowfat or high sugar kinds. Mountain High makes a wonderful full milk fat strawberry and vanilla yogurt that my kids love. The full fat is much healthier than the low fat believe it or not. It is full of active cultures, which are also great for the immune system. Many nutritionists believe that health starts in the digestive system, and we all should take a probiotic every day. a good quality yogurt is a great tool. Just dont fall for the high sugar low fat brands. Make sure she stays hydrated, and keep her away from as much sugar and processed foods as you can. Sugar lowers the immune system and is h*** o* little immature systems. Natural sugars are much better, and avoid all artificial sweeteners, especially aspartame, like the plague, because that is what they are. Any caffeine is detrimental, chocolate, sodas, and teas are all hidden sources of caffeine. Water is the best thing our kids can drink. Even milk isn't great because the pasteurization process removes everything healthy about milk. Soy products are high in estrogen and should be avoided. Corn and soy are both crops that are often genetically modified, and should only be purchased organic. Have I given you too much information? lol. Sorry, but these are all things that will boost her immune system and keep both of you healthy. Handwashing is very important and I second the other post that you should avoid all antibacterial soaps. The ingredients they add to make that ridiculous claim are often toxic, and soap is by it's very nature, antibacterial. Door knobs, handles, and often contacted surfaces like countertops all harbor germs so clean them often with a hot soapy sponge or rag. Try not to run to the doctor when she gets a cold or even an ear infection. They are viral and antibiotics not only do no good, but they do much harm. They wipe out all intestinal bacteria, which are keeping us healthy, they are a drug mass produced by a pharmaceutical company only interested in profit and keeping us sick. They are creating super bugs resistant to antibiotics that are much more deadly than a cold or flu virus. Even cold medicines have been proven not to work. A fever fights the virus, resist the impulse to run for tylenol. Again, it is a drug and h*** o* their little kidneys and livers. Our bodies are fully equipped to deal with viruses and bacteria, and you will know by mother's intuition, when a cold should have run it's course and more intervention is needed. A virus will last 7 seven days, and should be getting better by day 4 or 5. I highly recommend the book by Dr. Robert Mendelsohn called How to Raise a Healthy Child in Spite of Your Doctor. He was a top pediatrician btw. I hope I haven't overwhelmed you, good luck and good health to you both.

We have had good luck with echinacea and vitamin C.

My kids don't remember to take their vitamins daily so they get the echinacea drops in a cup of applesauce and 500 mg. of vitamin C at the first sign of a cold or if we have been out and exposed to others who are sick. That plus some hot tea or extra water seems to head off alot of illness for us.

yeah you can give her chewable eccinachea tablets! They totally do the trick, before, during and after, if the cold lingers at all. I've used it numerous times. Good luck and hope everything is well.

Eveyone is giving great advice, chiropractors, vitamin c, etc.

I also just read yogurt every day so I have begun giving my kids yogurt with breakfast every morning.

Hylands makes great products and can be found in the natural section of Fred Meyer. Also, Airborne Pixies works great or emergency c, my kids LOVE having those put in their water and it's mainly vitamin c!

Good luck!