Looking for Good at Home Remedies or Advice for a Sick 21 Month Old

We just had that same bug, if she is still coughing after two weeks, then please take her to the dr. My sons had the same thing, and it seemed to get better and then get worse and then get better....you see the pattern. Anyway, after 3 1/2 weeks of this I took in my oldest b/c he had developed a fever. He has pneumonia and my other son has bronchitis. This is what the dr. told me and my friend whose kids have the exact thing as well, "If the cough persists longer than two weeks, always take them in, b/c they have bronchitis." So, please don't be stubborn like I was. If this persists, take her in.

She is old enough to have honey. You can give a 13 month old honey. it is before a year that they recommend not giving honey.

My three children have also been ill with the exact same symptoms. I have been giving them guaifenesin.

Read Here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guaifenesin

I recently had something very similar to that and after 3 weeks of it I finally went to Urgent Care. It ended up being a Sinus infection followed by a secondary viral infection. With 3 medications (Claritin, a prescription cough medicine, and an antibiotic) it finally cleared up a week and a half later! It was awful. I would see a doctor, because sometimes bad coughs may actually be bronchitis or even worse, progress to pneumonia.

Use Vicks very sparingly. Most people don't know that, but it can be overdosed easily. Menthol is a bigger deal than people realize.

Keep the humidifier going. There is an herbal tea called 'throat coat' which might help the coughing. If coughing persists that bad where she is not sleeping, I'd take her to the doctor.

There is a liquid Sudafed that you can get by asking the pharmacist. Sometimes I give them that if coughing is disturbing sleep, since it dries up post nasal drip, which is usually the culprit.

Just stay away from sugar as it lowers the immune system.
Give yogurt to up her immune sys!!!
Not sugar free, but we like just the plain.
The best is Stonefield flavored as the natural sugar isn't as acidic and will do fine with immune systems!
God Bless

Hi, sorry to hear you little one is so miserable. It seems the cold viruses going around this year are particularly harsh and lengthy. My 2 boys (2.5 years and almost 7 months just got over a cold similar to your daughter's in duration and symptoms). Honey is great!!! My oldest had a small spoonful before naptime and bedtime every day for almost a week and we also kept it close by for the middle of the night wakings with cough fits. It really helps! I believe before age 1, honey can be unsafe due to botulism but your daughter is closer to 2 years old. You can always check with your doctor. If your daughter has an allergies, she could be experiencing some congestion from that as well. Benadryl might be an option if you suspect allergies could be a factor too. Check with your ped. for dosage amount based on weight. We use an air purifier in our kids rooms year round. Sometimes a humidifier can be problematic because it grows mold so quickly and mold spores can be released all over the room rapidly. Another tip which you may already be doing is saline drops. NOT medicated nasal spray, just plain saline. Little Noses makes one and you can use it very frequently w/o any side effects for children and infants of all ages. We've found using saline every day helps cut back on congestions issues and coughing because it thins the mucous and keeps the nasal passages and back of the throat(post-nasal drip) hydrated. You could try this at every diaper change, before nap(s) and bedtime.

Hope you are both feeling better soon!

Do keep her head elevated at all sleep times and stick with the cool mist humidifier (it may be doing more good than you realize, and remember to keep her room door nearly but not entirely shut when it's running). But since she's had this persistent cough for 11 days and now it's invading her sleep time, please get her to your pediatrician. This could be a mere bug, it could be allergies (my daughter's mild allergies were diagnosed after very similar symptoms) or it could develop into something like croup, which needs medical attention. With kids this age, it's hard to tell, and these things don't always come with fevers--we always look for fevers as the sign to get to the doctor but that's not always the case. Also, a doctor should check her ears even if she isn't complaining of pain; ear infections are secondary infections that can happen when the goo from congestion settles in the ear and never quite dries up, and ear infections don't always come with a fever or even a lot of pain in every case. Do give any natural comforts a try, but at the same time, with a child this age, I'd have her checked out by a doctor since she's spent nearly two weeks coughing. Likely the doctor will tell you it's a bug and recommend some of the same natural remedies, but why not check. Good luck and I really hope you both feel much better soon.

The cough and cold homeopathics are perfect for your daughter. She can have honey at this age. I'd suggest raw honey. I'm sure you know to avoid dairy and any processed sugar. Chiropractic adjustments can help as well. They will address the symptoms as well as get the immune system back on track. No side effects with that either. Feel free to contact me if you want or need a referral.
Good luck,
L. M

Hi! Mother of 3 kids aged 4, 8 and 11. Both the younger one's had the same symptoms. It could be allergy related. If you haven't done so, give her allergy medication - Claritin or Zyrtec - you'll have to test them both to see which one her body responds to - you won't believe it but there are differences depending on your body. She is not too young for allergy medication - ask the doctor or pharmacist what the dosage should be and keep using the humidifier. They both cleared up in a few days. Also, try doing nasal rinses - talk to your pharmacist they can help you with that. Good luck.

It sounds to me like you have been doing a wonderful job for both you and your daughter. Its so tough when you can't medicate. A couple weeks ago we had the same type of thing and I couldn't find anything more than what you are doing. I did give my little girl some thicker orange juice to help coat the throat for a little soothing. Not very much though as I was afraid of diaper rash. It will be over soon, and as long as her temperament is good with no fever a doctors visit is probably unnecessary.

A warm mist humidifier with the vicks stuff in it really helps my son, they tell you to be careful because they can burn themselves, so we keep it up on the dresser with the cord securely behind the dresser so it can't be reach. My pediatrician told us to use musinex mini-melts, to help clear out the mucus, they sell one with cough, but with some much bad stuff about cough meds, I avoid that one. Good luck!!

Hylands Cold and Cough 4 Kids. This medicine is a homeopathic one. I can usually find it at Walmart, but not always. It is right with the other children's medicine. There are a number of them and are listed by symptom. My little girl was sick for about 2 weeks and the doc said the stick with the Tylenol. I was sick of that and tried this. Not only did I feel better about giving it to her but it was gone in 2 days!!!! Always remember children medication is given by WEIGHT, not age. I hope this helps.
T.

L.,
Get vicks chest rub and put it on her feet and yours and then put socks on, you can do this only at night or throughout the day if needed. I dont know exactly why this works but I have had my peds and nurses tell me to do this and I have friends who have search it on google. I have done this with all 5 of my children and friends children and is works wonders. Good luck.

Hi L.,

Sounds like what you all have could be allergy or change of season related since there is no fever. But that being said, we have great success with homeopathic remedies. We got the kit and use it all the time!! You can find them at most health food stores, we got ours from www.organicfooddepot.com. Not sure where you are located but they may work for you as well. We use the Hylands brand. Also, since your dd is over 1 you can give her honey, my ped even told me its a great cough remedy, just give a teaspoon or so as needed.

Good luck, S.

Sounds extremely similar to what my 3 year old has had this past week...and I took her in, it was croup. Maybe do a bit of online searching about croup to see if it may be the same thing? If it is, they can't really do to much (what I was told), it runs its course, but just make sure to pay attention to their airways, and that they are still breathing fine. If they seem to have trouble breathing, take them in right away. But for my daughter, sitting in the closed bathroom with the shower running hot, to steam up the room helps a lot. Breathing in the steam helps stop the coughing fits. I will try to do that before bed every night, and then if she starts coughing a lot during the night, I will turn on the shower and scoop her up in my arms and take her in there again, and it stops it. Good luck!
K.
And the docs say now no cough meds for children until 6 years old...

Hyland's homeopathics makes a cough syrup for kids that works great! They also have other kids remedies that are wonderful. You should be able to find them online or at your local health food store.

Get the vicks stuff that goes in the humidifer. It puts the vapor into the air and adds to the help from the chest rub.

Since she's almost 2, her pediatrician may give you the go ahead for cough or sinus medicine as they are approved for 2 and over.

We have had the same thing going on at our house as well, my son ended up having bronchitis and having no fever just a runny nose and severe coughing to the point of were rest was not happening, honey can be given after a year old, my ped. suggested it to us for the soothing of his throat. good luck to you and i hope that it works out, as being pregnant doesnt help i am due any day know and my son is also 21 months, it makes it hard sometimes.

I'm sorry to hear that both of you have the drips. She is old enough to have some honey now, try a teaspoon in some warm water for her. Also there is a tea out- Gypsy cold- that has been halping me. Have you tried saline drops oin both of your noses? Also it is very important for all of you to take a good multi vitamin, and eat foods that support your immune systems- any brightly colored fruits or vegetables. Also, steamy bathrooms can thin out mucus, you could aslo try Mucinex for your daughter, ask your OB if you can use Mucinex.
I hope you all feel netter soon.

Babies can have honey after they are one year old. Avoid eating any mucous producing foods like milk and cheese. (Breastmilk is fine) Echinacea and Goldenseal strengthen the immune system and fight off any bugs we get. I recommend the tincture as it is strongest tho it doesn't taste good. there are teas with echinacea too that you would like. Take Vitamin C everyday too. AF