Does your baby have a cough or cold? If so, there are over-the-counter products you can try. Cough and cold medicines that adults use are not recommended for infants, but there are natural medicines available that use different ingredients that are said to be safe. It is wise to consult a doctor before giving any medication to an infant. There really is no cure for a cold, so the important thing is to relieve symptoms for a baby, just as you would for an adult. Remedies that are available are aimed at relieving symptoms, and there are some natural solutions that can be tried. The best three products are Maty's All Natural Chest Rub, Hyland's Baby Nighttime Cold Syrup and ZarBees Natural Soothing Baby Chest Rub.
Acetaminophen (Tylenol) can be given to babies over three months old, and Ibuprofen can be given to babies over six months old.
Popular choices for infants who suffer from coughs include chest rubs, moisturizers and natural external applications to relieve soreness or dry skin. Honey can also be used to soothe throats.
This is a liquid you apply to the baby's chest. It contains Eucalyptus, Lavender and Chamomile. These are natural products that create vapors that sooth congestion and soreness. It is all natural, so you don't need a prescription. It contains no petroleum or menthol. You can apply this rub for overnight use without having to worry about it.
This rub has eucalyptus, lavender and beeswax. Beeswax is a substance that helps the product stick to the baby's skin, so it is easier to apply. The eucalyptus and lavender are the materials that comfort the baby. This can also be used in a humidifier. Creating the vapors is what makes it effective. Test on a small area to make sure there are no allergy problems.
This product uses all natural materials, and is safe for babies over six months old. It can be used on younger babies but only under a doctor's supervision. It comes with a syringe that is used to put the syrup in the baby's mouth. It uses chamomile and eupatorium perfoliatum, which are natural substances.
For infants, nose drops or spray made of saltwater is a good choice. Humidifiers and vaporizers - some can contain medicines like those mentioned - can be used to relieve symptoms and moisturize skin. You an also use suction cups to get nasal mucus out, which are products made for this purpose.
If the cold persists longer than seven days, you should take the baby to a doctor. If a fever lasts more than a couple of days, or if it is extremely high, it would be good to see a doctor. Vomiting and diarrhea are also symptoms that could require a doctors attention.
Coughing can be caused by difficulty breathing or a post-nasal drip, both of which can be helped by saline drops. For babies, you can give saline drops two or three times per day, which can help thin mucus and relieve coughing. For babies who can't blow their noses, a suction bulb can help remove thinned mucus and saline drainage.