What to Give 15 Month Old for Cold Symptoms

NOTHING............I have been done this road so many times with my daughter, I would use saline drops for her nose and yes they work and vapor rub on her feet with socks at night
lots of showers really hot and let the bathroom steam up and stand in there for 5 minutes and warm drinks heat her juice and milk up in the microwave and thats the words from my Pediatrician. Motrin/Tylenol I use only when there is pain or fever and you can alternate them(which I didnt know). But I am so careful to not medicate at that early age.Oh and ALWAYS ALWAYS CHICKEN SOUP............
S.

My daughter will be 2 in a couple of weeks. When she is stuffy/runny due to a cold or allergy symptoms, I lower the heat, put a humidifier in her room, and use a fingerful of Vicks Baby Rub on her shirt (if I put it on her chest she gets a small rash....but on the shirt works perfectly.) Other than that, lots of liquids and lots of cuddles.

Good luck!

My son's doctors told us there is nothing to use, however, I used Pedia Care Children's Multi-Symptom Cold. When I gave it to him, I only gave him half a teaspoon (1 teaspoon at 2 years). It helped enough to get him to sleep. Good luck.

Leah,
I try to avoid all "medications" for a child that young. Could I suggest the following:
1. Prop the head of the crib up on phone books so he won't be as stuffed up at night
2. Give LOTS of liquids (water, juices, freezer pops, etc) during the day as it will thin his mucous
3. Definitely run a cool mist humidifier in his room at night (Let it get a head start by running it about an hour before bedtime with the door closed.
4. Saline nose drops
5. Booger puller bulb frequently
6. Try the Vicks Baby on his feet (with socks)
7. I would avoid the plug-in things b/c hey seemed to cause a rebound effect with my son but I think they are safe if you want to give them a try.
8. Don't forget the chicken soup and or broth--it really does clear the nose!
When my son is not feeling well, I tend to let whatever and whenever he wants but I try to ease up on milk & dairy products as it seems to worsen congestion.
Good luck!

the vapor bath was a staple in my house when my children were younger, as was Johnson & Johnson vapor rub. It is not a gel consistency like Vicks. It rubs into skin and doesn't stick on clothes. We also used those vapor plug ins, I think they are made by breathe-right. If you choose the humidifier way, I used to add vapor bath to that water as well. And obviously the booger sucker, after a bath you can usually get alot out. Good luck, I hope this helped.

Just tylenol. infants or childrens doses will be different
vick's has an infant vapor rub and steam I personally wouldn't give any cold medicine Push lots of clear fluids too

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26989212/
read this story ... it might help !!!

Little Noses worked good for us when my son was little. We also used a humidifier and also the Vicks Baby Rub that someone had already mentioned. Also try to elevate their head while they sleep. That will help to drain their head. Good luck!

I have had the same problem being a mom of 3 my 2 older ones were able to take anything when they were younger no I have my 11 month old there is a thing which is all natural sold in spanish stores or health-food stores called Sancochito when I 1st looked into it I was skeptical but my in laws swear by it and im so glad I tried it.

I only give my kids Tylenol when they have colds. Cold medicine is a definite no-no.

you could give tylenol for pain or fever but I love those plugs in they have now. you just plug them in and I feel like it works better then the humidifier.

When all those stories came out last year about manufacturers voluntarily recalling cough medicines for young children, it really gave me pause. As it turns out, there are a lot of products out there that are not really tested on kids for effectiveness. I asked my doctor about it, and she said they never recommend over the counter stuff for colds, cough, etcs., because they do not believe that they do anything for kids, other then make their parents feel better. (Which may be why they don't specifically tell parents not to use them.) However, like all these other mothers have suggested, use the bulb syringe to clear the nose, saline drops, the humidifier. You could also elevate his crib/bed/sleep on two pillows to help drainage and prevent an ear infection. You are basically just making them comfortable until the cold goes through its phases.

So, we can all stop wasting money on that stuff, apparently. And bravo to all these well informed moms who gave you responses! I'm impressed.

There is nothing you can give for children UNDER 12 YEARS OF AGE. All over the counter meds were supposedly pulled from the shelves months ago because of a recall. They said people weren't reading instructions properly and kids were overdosing. I personally returned tylenol cold medication to the store because of the recall. This was confirmed by my son's pediatrician. My son is two and has a cold right now. He was just at the pediatrician and there is nothing to give them. It basically just has to run its course. To make him comfortable I use baby vicks on his chest and back. Constant wiping of the nose, vaseline on the nose/face area from the constant wiping, lots of fluids, and lots of love!!! Good luck!!!!

I would ask my doctor's office before considering ANY kind of antihistimine. I don't think they are good for little ones. We always used baby tylenol drops, or baby motrin. Pay attention to the dosing, and if it says, "Ask your doctor", Do it. Get the sccop from a nurse or doctor at your pediatrician's office.

The ONLY thing my doctor's office will recommend is Benedryl for children. The dose is based on weight so you might want to give your own doctor a call. It is only recommended when their cold is affecting their sleep. It does wonders by drying them out. And of course a humidifier.

No cold Medications!! Excellent article in this mornings Pittsburgh Post Gazette all about this. Doctors are lobbying to have cold meds pulled because of serious or fatal side effects of these. They suggest saline drops, humidifier, ibuprogin or acetominephen.

Defenitely use a humidifier and ask the Doctor about tylenol fever reducer and thats about it because I think all other medicines are recalled.
Caio,
S.

Whenever either of my kids gets a cold, I take them in for a chiropractic adjustment (I go to Dr. Robert Smith in Forks Township) & I put a few drops of Eucalyptus (sp?) oil on their shirt, pjs, sheets, etc.... to help them breath better.
Hope you little one is feeling better soon!

Go to the pharmacy and get a product called Sudacare Advance. This is a product that you plug into the outlet in you son's room. The smell fills the air and will help to clear your son's nose so that he can sleep. I works great.

I never recieved medication when I was a kid other than baby asprin (don't give that now), my mom always used a vaporizor and vicks for stuffy noses, I continued that practice with my son.

A tip, when you use Vick's or whatever brand vapo rub, put it on your feet and then wear socks. It still works because there are so many blood vessels in your feet. Try it yourself, in a few minutes you will begin to smell the vicks when you exhale. It is good for the kids because many don't like the greasy feel on their chests or the strong smell. And who doesn't like a foot massage.

Hi Leah -

My 22 month old twins have colds now also. It is awful to watch them all stuffed up and not be able to do too much for them. You can use saline nose drops to help break up the congestion. I will warn you now, they HATE it. Also, use a cool mist humidifier in his room at night and nap time. We have also used a night light that you can put a vapor pad in. I found this helped a lot. Some humidifiers have this feature on them. We also use a vapor bath before bed. It's just a soap with vapors in them. I believe you can also use vapo-rub, but check with your ped first. I have been informed by my ped that I can give my kids Zyrtec (which I do during the day) or Benedryl (which I give at night). Offer lots of fluids during the day. Good luck - I know it's miserable!!

Leah,
A cool mist humidifier in the room, little noses saline spray, the 'booger sucker', baby vicks on the chest under clothes and lots of tlc!
Good luck
Christina

Hi Leah, With all the information out about cold medicines for kids and from a personal point of view, you should call your Doctor and find out what they can perscribe or recommend. That is your safest, best course of action. Best wishes.

could be teething , allergies Call the pediatrician

I have always given a decongestant to all of my kids even as infants and all 5 perfectly fine.

No meds. Just vapor baths, and vaporizer(cool mist). That will do the trick. I have a 3 yr old, and I still use this method.

My best advice for young children and adults alike, is to go back to what our grandparents did. All these modern medicines and "cold relief" products are a waste of money and really not very effective.

Use a humidifier in her room. Use saline drops in her nose to clear things up. Right before bed... sort of make a tent over her bed with the humidifier on... so it really creates a nice environment. Breathing in that moist air will really help. (Don't keep it like that when she is sleeping or unattended.)
Also hanging out in a bathroom after or during somebody's shower will have the same affect. You can also prop the crib up about 3 inches (put something under neath 2 of the 4 legs) and this will help keep him from getting so congested.

Good luck!

PS - A small (very small) dab of Vix will help also, but with children so young, you need to be careful. I don't suggest "slathering" them up with Vix at this age... just a little dab under the nose or on the chest.

To add to what other have already recommended;