2 Natural Ways To Treat Colds With Babies

If your infant gets sick and has a bad cough and cold, you may be surprised to find that there are not a lot of over-the-counter products for young babies. Young babies cannot handle a lot of medication, but there are alternative options to consider. Using natural baby healthcare products can be an effective and safe option. Here are some natural ways that you can treat your baby's cold symptoms.

Steam

One of the best ways to clear up a baby's congestion and cough is to expose the baby to steam. The heat and moisture from the steam can open up a baby's nose and airways by loosening up the mucus. If the mucus loosens up, you can suck it out with a bulb syringe. To provide steam for your baby, you can:

• Place the baby in the bathroom with hot, running water
• Use a humidifier
• Run a cool-mist vaporizer

Keeping the air in your house moist and warm is also important if your baby is suffering from cold symptoms. Dry air tends to irritate the nasal passages of babies and adults, and it can cause the mucus to dry up and get trapped in the nose and chest.

Vapor Rubs

Another good method to try to help your baby breathe easier is a vapor rub; however, you should not use a regular type of vapor rub on a baby. Instead, look at the pharmacy for a brand specifically designed for babies. This type is safe because it does not contain all the same ingredients as a regular vapor rub, and you can use it on babies of any age.

To use it, simply rub some on the baby's chest and back. The rub has ingredients designed to penetrate within the baby's body. As this happens and as your baby breathes in the scent of it, the product can actually loosen the mucus in the baby's chest and nose.

A lot of parents believe in putting this rub on a baby's feet. Although there is no scientific evidence to prove that this clears a baby's nose, a lot of parents have found success with this method.

If your baby is still experiencing problems after trying natural remedies like these, you may want to call the doctor, especially if the baby is running a fever. Congestion and cough symptoms can be present from colds, but they can also indicate other types of illnesses that may require prescription medication from a pediatrician. For more information, consider contacting a professional like those at Sutton Apothecary.