Hi moms- Okay I have gotten sick from our 11 year old and now my 14 month old has it. I think it's a cold (although it could be the flu). I have it for 3 days and have given my baby infant Motrin. You can tel lhe isn't feeling well. He hasn't been eating as well, is fussy and had a runny nose. Here's my question. I have a sore throat. What can I give my baby if he has a sore throat? Thank you as always for the help moms!
The Baby Motrin you're giving will definitely help the sore throat. I don't believe you can give him any other medications, except Baby Tylenol. And please DON'T give him honey.
p.s. 1 YEAR is the VERY MINIMUM age you could give a child honey. I wouldn't take the risk if it were my child.
Traditional Medicinals brand has a great tea for sore throats especially for kids called Throat Coat - Just for Kids. You can mix a little honey in it and give it to him in a bottle or sippy cup, preferably warm. But, if he won't drink it that way you can try making a popsicle out of it. I wouldn't recommend juice or anything else with too much sugar because sugar depresses the immune system. I would also avoid dairy and citrus because they can aggravate a sore throat and create more mucous (so, definitely NO ice cream). Sick kids typically don't have much of an appetite so just follow his hunger cues and trust that he will eat normally again when he feels better. Also, a fever is the bodies natural response to an infection because the increased temperature stimulates the immune system and directly kills viruses and bacteria so I wouldn't recommend suppressing it with any medication. You really don't need to worry at all about a fever until it gets over 103 (once the child is over 6 months). There are lots of other home remedies for colds but the most important thing is to just comfort your child and make sure he is getting good rest and adequate hydration. Hope you all feel better!
Dr T.
www.primarynaturopathic.com
Warm water with honey, which the doctor also says calms coughs.
You can give him saline (I like Simply Saline in the aersol can) to help dry out the runny nose which will help with throat irriation. I have heard of some people mixing honey with luke warm water, so it disolves, and put it is a sippy cup for them to drink. My sons wouldn't touch it for some reason. I would just try lots of fluids water mostly or 1/2 juice and water or juice popcicles (mini-melts) for him to suck on that should help him. If he is coughing a cool mist humidifier works really well for my sons (1 has asthma and it is essential for him).
Hope this helps!
Honey is fine in a child over 1 year of age, popsicles, cool foods, yougert, icecream, apple sauce, warm baths, and a tincture of time. As long as he is drinking, don't worry too much about the eating. If he has a high fever, above 102, call your doctor.
peppermint water make it warm so it melts the peppermint
I would guess that your reaction to this illness may be different from your baby's. So don't assume he has the same symptoms as you. Colds are very common in babies. Most doctors don't recommend motrin, tylenol, etc. unless they have a fever of 100 or above. I'm not sure that motrin helps with a runny nose, if that is the extend of his symptoms. Good-luck.
You should have him checked out to make sure it is not something that needs to be treated. He could have a throat infection. Is he running a fever or just a runny nose? With children that young I like to have them checked out since they can't tell us what is hurting them. Air on the side of caution, especially if it is the flu.
I don't think you're supposed to give young kids cod medicines anymore without the doctor telling you to. Popsicles are great. Talk to your doctor before giving medicine. If its just a cold then the sore throat will go away on its own.
If he has strep, he'll need a throat culture to determine that--he would have a fever with strep.
For a reg sore throat--popsicles, jello, applesauce, and all will help give extra fluid.
