Ways to relieve your toddler’s common cold or flu symptoms

Posted on Monday, January 7th, 2008 under Children, Health, Parenting. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.


Respiratory infections such as flu or a common cold are known to affect toddlers younger than five years old an average of 10 times per year. Those who are sent to day care, nursery or pre-school have a much higher chance of developing colds. On the bright side though, the common cold or flu is their body’s way to ward off viruses and they recover, your toddler’s immune system would’ve developed antibodies againsts these familiar viruses.

Barring complications like severe sore throats, ear infections, high fever or pneumonia, toddler’s common cold or flu usually doesn’t require a consultation with the paedatrician. Viral infections can’t be cured medically. Parents will have to let their toddler’s cold run it’s course and bear with the symptoms. Your child’s body will heal itself. What you can do is to relieve your kids from the discomfort and here are some home care ideas to provide such relief:

  • Make sure your child drinks plenty of water, herbal teas or fruit juices. Consume the liquids warm. It is important to keep your toddler from dehydration caused by fever, coughing, loss of appettite or diarrhea.
  • Keep your child warm and comfortable.
  • Reduce your toddler’s activity and encourage lots of bed rest.
  • Warm and moist air in the room can provide comfort to your child. A warm bath provides excellent relief. When in the room, switch on the humidifier or vaporizer to moisten the air. An air-conditioner produces very dry air so avoid using it if possible. Dry air makes coughing worst as well.
  • When lying down or sleeping, place an extra pillow to raise her head to a slight incline. This helps to reduce nasal congestion and secretion.
  • It is safe to use saline drops or spray to loosen thick nasal secretion that is congesting the nasal path.
  • Toddlers who aren’t old enough to blow their noses require nasal aspirator to help remove mucus from their nose. This helps reduce nose congestion, especially during bed time. Nosefrida makes a good external nasal aspirator which does not intrude into your toddler’s nasal path.
  • If your child is feverish, over-the-counter children acetaminophen or ibuprofen can reduce fever and pain. Avoid aspirins for toddlers. Be aware that infants below 6 months of age must consult the doctor before any acetaminophen medications are given. This prevents overdosage which will be harmful to your child.
  • What about over-the-counter cough remedies? This proves to be a tricky situation as more medical research and studies show over-the-counter oral cough and cold medicine to be ineffective and often end up being voluntarily recalled. A panel of expert advisors to the FDA recommended that most over-the-counter cough and cold medicines don’t work for children under 6. Some are even found to be harmful to toddlers. Hence, their use cannot be recommended. You are also advised against giving your toddler below 2 years old oral cough remedy.

    Try this instead. Before bedtime, rub some Vick’s Vapor Rub on the bottom of your baby’s feed. Then cover your baby’s feet with socks.

  1. Aaron writes ...

    “rub some Vick’s Vapor Rub on the bottom of your baby’s feed” should read “bottom of your baby’s feet” rather than feed.

    February 26th, 2008 at 7:49 pm

  2. Raymie R. writes ...

    Why Vapor Rub on the baby’s feet? I’ve heard to place the vapor rub slightly under the baby’s nose (careful not to get any in the nasal passage) and on the baby’s chest, but feet?? What’s the significance there? I’m guessing the same result………….

    June 14th, 2008 at 9:07 pm

  3. Gunjan writes ...

    Vicks Vapor Rub should also be applied to the nasal passage…as far as your finger reaches…”

    Also on chest and back to create warmth…”

    I have applied this regularly to my toddler of 18 months from 6 months and it works !!!

    June 19th, 2008 at 2:15 am

  4. abs writes ...

    my pediatrician advises ‘not’ to use vicks on very small children. it may cause temperory relief, but increases the congestion in the long run. and i think its quite true,,, out of personal experience being a sickly child and having a cold/flu every second week. avoid vicks on small kids!!!

    September 15th, 2008 at 6:32 am

  5. farheen writes ...

    my baby(17 months) is always usually put on antibiotics by his pediatrician, does that affect his imune system?

    October 6th, 2008 at 4:35 am

  6. momma writes ...

    you should NOT apply vicks inside the nasal passages, and should not be sticking your finger up your babies nose! Also, read the label on Vicks -it says not to be used on children under 2 years of age.

    December 8th, 2008 at 11:17 pm

  7. Tarik (#1 dad) writes ...

    when my 21 month old daughter nyla gets sick i put her on a dry food diet. NO DAIRY!! anything mucousy in its final or beginning form eggs,wheat,etc i stay away from. fruits,juice,meat only. I find vicks actually provokes her nose to drip more. vaporizor,saline drops, nasal aspirator, dry foor diet, plenty of warm fluids. Try this home made cough syrup it works well also. Grape juice(diluded)fresh lemon juice & honey. =)

    December 22nd, 2008 at 11:48 am

  8. crys writes ...

    wow people, get educated about children. they have vicks baby rub now so you shouldnt use the adult vicks vapor rub. if you put vapor rub in your child’s nose you should have your children taken away–that stuff hurts. and yes if your child is always on antibiotics it can hinder his development of antibodies, but bacteria need to be treated by anitbiotics and your pediatrician should know best if he needs them or not.

    April 16th, 2009 at 1:59 pm

  9. Mummy writes ...

    People am really surprised that common cold is caused by virus and There is no medications to stop that.Only symptoms can be controlled (may be) by medications like paracetomol for fever and body ache..Applying Vicks under 2 is dangerous especially in sensitive regions like nasal passage.Please avoid any oral medication,Natural remedy like honey and pepper are very good in relieving cold,plenty of fluids and lots of attention too.They are cranky ,so needs to be given extra attention and presence.

    July 15th, 2009 at 4:04 am

  10. | melatonin supplements writes ...

    common cold is caused by virus so the logical thing to do is to boost our immune system by eating fruits that are high in Vitamin-C. this would reduce our chances of catching the common cold

    July 26th, 2009 at 8:43 am

  11. bodydetoxdiet writes ...

    the easiest way to prevent common cold is to take Vitamin-C from food supplements or natural fruit juice.

    August 3rd, 2009 at 9:31 am

  12. Kim writes ...

    it is easy to avoid getting the common cold. just take lots and lots of vitamin-C. i take 1000 mg of Vitamin-C a day.

    August 10th, 2009 at 7:18 am

  13. CharlieMommy writes ...

    Vicks on the feet covered with socks helps keep the baby warm. I actually learned this from my Japanese grandmother.

    October 8th, 2009 at 4:17 am

  14. christina r writes ...

    Ugh u ppl r do retarded. If u feel the urge to diagnose ur children online u should probably consult ur pediatrician. I understand if u want to check on other ways to properly use a product but, wow! Vicks in the nose? Why don’t u try it first, if ur nose doesn’t bleed, then let’s hope ur chicldren inherited ur titanium nose!

    March 8th, 2010 at 1:05 pm

  15. Nicole writes ...

    no vicks should be put up a childs n ose, try baby vapour bath, baby vicks, warm fluids, tempra and honey…good luck my two yr old and 5 month old have this right now :S

    April 2nd, 2010 at 6:41 am

  16. Isaiah Roberts writes ...

    The usual remedy for common cold is just lots of water, fruit juice and also vitamin-C tablets.”*`

    May 1st, 2010 at 3:46 am

  17. serrano writes ...

    wow. putting Vick’s up a child’s nasal passage. What an expert advice. Maybe I should experiment with that up my butt.

    seriously, whoever thought of that needs to delete this article with something more professional. ITS A JOKE!

    May 24th, 2010 at 6:01 am

  18. Alice Kelly writes ...

    you can actually shorten the symptoms of common cold by taking lots of vitamin-c;,,

    August 12th, 2010 at 1:34 pm

  19. Dragon Momma writes ...

    Never give Honey to a child under a year of age! It often contains botulism spores and can cause you child to contract the illness. botulism in infants can be FATAL! Never put vicks in a child’s nose, and never use adult vicks in a child. Use the baby stuff. also Johnson&Johnson makes a vapor baby bath that is wonderful. If you don’t have a humidifier, you can leave a large pot of water boiling all day on the stove and add a little peppermint to it. Plenty of fluids and rest. Baby tylenol is OK for low fever. high fever or vomiting yous hould see the doctor!

    August 30th, 2010 at 11:52 am

  20. Dragon Momma writes ...

    Oh, I almost forgot- Popsicles are also a good way to prevent dehydration if your child won’t drink. Pedialyte also makes them if you go that route, follow the directions exactly.

    August 30th, 2010 at 11:55 am

  21. twinmommy writes ...

    Vicks INSIDE the nasal passage…wow that’s a new one! Try reading the label again….the smell alone makes MY eyes water and my nostrils burn so why on earth would you put that stuff in your baby’s nose?? I hear a shot of tequila will help her get some sleep too…

    September 9th, 2010 at 10:56 am

  22. Christine98 writes ...

    Another way to help ease a cold…
    stay home, rest, encourage light play change bedding and blankets after each sleep, wash clothes, cloths, bedding in hot water. Use the “sterilzing” hot wash on the dishwasher. Wash your hands often too! I use baby wipes when we leave playgrounds, and public places (when we remember)during cold and flu seasons. NOTHING works as good as movies to get them to stay still when all else fails. I am not a tv fan for any children, and if they don’t usually watch it most days, when they are sick, they think its a treat.

    October 1st, 2010 at 10:18 pm

  23. Leandro writes ...

    People that post comments that can posible hurt a baby or taddler in any way should not should not have their comments posted, because there could be trying to confuse other rather desperate parents looking for solutions the easy way out. Comments like; You should stick your fingers up your baby’s nose with vicks is bad and not medicly recomended or safe. When and dout call your doctor or nurse or profrsional farmaces.

    November 16th, 2010 at 12:44 pm

  24. twihardmama writes ...

    I am sure the person who wrote to shove vicks up the nose of your child was being sarcastic no one can be that dumb. I can say some of the suggestions do work.in the end everyone can give advise and everyone can seek it but at the end of the day we are responsible for choosing what is best for our child thanks to those comments that helped me with my child.

    December 16th, 2010 at 12:49 am

  25. DaddyBear writes ...

    Thank you Dragon Momma for the best advice on this thread. A drop of Peppermint essential oil on the soles of your toddler’s foot can also be very soothing. Please remember to put a sock over the foot afterwards so your little one doesn’t get it on fingers and then in eyes.

    Good Luck moms and daddies. It’s tough to watch your little ones fight a cold, but fight it they will and with extra love and hugs from you, they’ll be just fine

    January 18th, 2011 at 7:30 am

  26. Carlee writes ...

    Vapor rub on the feet, covered by socks, also helps with reducing coughs. I’ve tried it on myself, and it works. It also seems to help my 18 month old so he can sleep a little easier at night.

    March 16th, 2011 at 12:41 am

  27. Dhans writes ...

    I have toddler and i am using buckwheat honey for his cough & cold. It really works great. I never want to give overthecounter medi for kids. And give a full spoon of honey in a day. It really helps for smooth throat & cough. But make sure you are buying pure buckwheat honey. No sugar added.

    March 21st, 2011 at 9:29 am

  28. SHWETA FROM AUCKLAND writes ...

    Hi All,

    if you are posting a comments and that to for small kids you should be having the proper knowledge than only you have the right to do so,because posting a wrong comments can cause a danger to a baby,whether its ur or some one else”well unless your baby’s cold seems to be abnormal you can just keep them on lots fluid,soup,lentil,and lots of vitamin C contains fruits,saline water to relief with nasal blockage,also homeopathic is the best remedy to fight with conman cold in infants.

    June 23rd, 2011 at 7:58 pm

  29. Max's Mommy writes ...

    WOW! I have never seen such ignorant advice…ever. First, do NOT self diagnose your children – secondly, why would you put a menthol based medication up a childs nose? Really?!? – Breathing it IN too hard will make your eyes water… If your Ped is giving you antibiotics because your child has the common cold – you need a Ped that knows what the heck they are doing – you cannot cure viruses with an antibiotic… And forget the silly hippie Herbal Remedy crap… Putting drops of anything that is irritable to any part of their body is essentially creating another disaster and MORE discomfort for a child – as you cannot keep their hands away from their mouths or face even…. How about you dont pump them full of anything at all and let it run its course – if you need assistance bringing down a HIGH fever – over 103, use tylenol or motrin – and be PRODUCTIVE and give them a tepid bath, cool the head off with a rag and make sure that they are taken care of.. Dont give the meds to try and get them to be quiet and sleep – thats just being lazy…take care of the child. low to mid grade fevers are actually helping them fight off infection, so dont freak out – just keep the core temp as low as possible. You cant “pump” a child full of vitamin C either – where the heck do you come up with this stuff, just because we can digest such a thing doesnt mean then can – they get plenty of what they need in the recommended amount of juice, fruit, and veggies – kids under 2 cant take supplements anyway… Try some old fashioned parenting – like in the old days where the kids being sick wasnt a medical science case…rather a part of LIFE. Try some vicks baby rub – which is SAFE, a small dose of tylenol to reduce the fever and make them a lil comfy, a nice room temp bath, some much needed parental love and cuddling and just bare with them… not much more to it than that.

    August 29th, 2011 at 11:19 pm

  30. Potsy writes ...

    My 16 month old son has just started a dry rough cough. We live in a small town 2 hours away from nearest hospital. Does vicks on feet really work?

    November 7th, 2011 at 3:35 am

  31. Lauren writes ...

    My pediatrician told me about the Vick’s vapor rub on the feet. Children under the age of 2 should use the baby vapor rub. But slather it on the feet and put on socks (or feetie jammies for the little ones that may pull off socks!) before they go to sleep. It helps with the cough and runny nose. I also rub a little on my guy’s tummy, so it isn’t too close to his nose or mouth at night. Lots of liquids, rest (although very hard with a 15 month old), and keep the air and nose moist. My pediatrician said one or two drops of saline up the nose can help also. I also add a splash of fruit juice to their water to help them drink more, but toddlers shouldn’t have more than 4-6 oz of juice a day. Always check with your pediatrician though, cause each child is different. I know my son can’t use the Johnson and Johnson vapor bath soak cause it gives him rashes (very sensitive skin). You know your child best!

    December 19th, 2011 at 11:20 am



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