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Date Posted: 12/23/2008
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Natural Cough & Cold Remedies

Dr. Early Denison, a Dallas pediatrician, says a typical cold in children will run its course over seven to 10 days. Babies under 3 months with cold symptoms should be evaluated by a physician. Older children with colds should be evaluated if there is a persistent fever, lack of appetite, difficulty breathing or if the cold persists beyond 10 days.  
Here are some non-pharmaceutical tips for soothing your little one’s illness, according to Denison:
  • Make sure your child gets plenty of rest.   
  • Try nasal saline drops or spray, along with a bulb syringe, which can be very effective in relieving congestion in children.   
  • Make sure your child drinks lots of fluids.   
  • Use a humidifier in your child’s room. The humidity can decrease irritation in the lungs and therefore decrease cough.
  • Elevate the head of the bed with books under the mattress.   
  • Use Tylenol or ibuprofen for fever or discomfort.  Do not use ibuprofen in children less than 6 months.
  • Soak in steam from a hot shower to relieve congestion.
  • Put Vaseline under the nose to relieve any rawness that develops.
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