Hi Mamas!! My baby Isaac is going to be 2 in April. I know there are no medicines for babies who are sick but his cough is just terrible. It wakes him up so frequently in the night that he is tired during the day. The cough is coming from a post nasal drip. I'm wondering if anyone has any homeopathic remedies or any ideas. Also, I want to know if I can put vicks on his chest. The Vicks baby rub says it is to soothe while the adult vicks says it is a cough suppresent. I'd like for my little guy to get some relief with the adult formula - it says not for under 2 - what do you think? We currently are running the humidifier and we sit in the bathroom while the steamy shower runs. I've tried the hyland's cold tablets and they work during the day but not at night. Any other ideas?
Thank you for all your input! I bought the honey cough syrup by Hylands and it has been working decently. Tomorrow, we're going to the doctor to see if there is something more to this cough. Also - the mom that mentioned the vicks on the feet... I had mentioned that to my husband the night you posted so you are not crazy - I read about it in a forward of some sort! Thanks mamas for your support!
Honey works very well. My doctor who is Indian says it is the best homepathic remedy for coughs and most kids love it.
Try it and see.
If your son is not allergic, try honey! You're not supposed to give it to children under 1, but you mentioned yours is almost 2. My son just turned 1 and I gave him some and it stopped his cough almost instantly. My whole family uses it and it really helps with the coughing. I have heard the darker the honey, the better. I'm not sure of how much to give so I just gave my son a little bit less than a teaspoon full.
I have used the Baby Vics on my 6yr old and it works great. The adult version is just too strong. (I also used it as a baby on both kids.) You can also use saline spray in his nose and help him blow it or use a bulb syringe. Try to get his nose clear before he goes to bed. All of this will help.
Hyland's makes a great Honey based cough syrup that is 100% natural and has been working wonderfully for my son since he just experience croup for the first time.
As for the Vicks Vapo Rub, my son's pedi is firm about trying homeopathic first and if the package says it's for adults then it's for adults.
I have used the kids one, and it helps my son a bit while napping but it's not fantastic.
Make sure you are cleaning out the nasal passages with saline and using some kind of either bulb syringe or nosefrida to expel the mucus. Also, check out the Vicks waterless vapor plug-ins or Pedia Care plug-ins...they are awesome and they help my son get through the night.
Good Luck!
Peppermint Extract is also good for clearing sinus'-rub under nose or on chest like the vapo-rub.
If you aren't already, try using a pillow for him to sleep on at night. Having your head elevated can help a bit for a cough caused by post nasal drip.
I find that a few drops of Eucalyptus essential oil on my son's pillow woks great. About Vicks, they did a study recently that it actually hinders breathing rather than helping. Its something about the menthol irritating the nostrils and causing swelling which actually makes it harder to breathe. I used to use it on my son and didn't really see a difference either way but have since stopped using it to err on the side of caution. Just thought you should know. Hope your little one feels better soon :)
Try putting the vick's on you child's feet and cover with socks. It's very soothing. I know it sounds crazy but it works. Can't hurt to try, he will not be directly inhaling the vapors. Good Luck!!
Hi B.,
Caution with the Vicks- it was recently a story on MSN (I can send to you, just email me) and I have stopped using myself. Greaseless and safe!
ARBONNE has a great Herbal Vapor Rub along with an aromatherapy Herbal Salt that is great to use in humidifier or even just on the stove.
