Best Natural Cough and Cold Medicine for Babies and Kids
This post is pharmacist momma approved for the BEST natural cold medicine for kids.
As a mom of two under two AND a pharmacist, I completely understand the mommas who are looking for natural cold and cough medicine for their kids. It’s tough to see your kids not feeling well or having a yucky sounding cough. Before starting any medications that are found over the counter (like tylenol or mucinex) or natural supplements, please double check with your provider. Some medications can interact and a lot of the cough and cold medicines have a ton of combo ingredients in it. Many of the ‘flu’ options have tylenol, a decongestant, and more – so I always avoid these.
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Who I am, why you should care, and what my credentials are
I’m a pharmacist that attended pharmacy school and passed my board exams to obtain my doctorate degree. I practice in community (think big retailer chains) and often gave plenty of recommendations for over the counter products. Patients have also asked about alterative or natural remedies for the common cold. Now that I have my own kids, everything I have listed (from products to advice) is what I do for them.
Your child does not need antibiotics
The common cold and even a cough is usually something that the immune system will beat with time. Sometimes your child might be sick for up to 10 days or beyond. A common symptom that I’ve seen with kids and adults is having a lingering cough (these can last for a WHILE). When your child isn’t feeling that great and you either take them to see their doctor or you know it’s the common cold, antibiotics are not needed. Because these illnesses are usually caused by viruses, antibiotics will only contribute to antibiotic resistance and won’t actually cure or treat it.
What is the BEST natural cough medicine for toddlers and kids?
The first one that I want to mention is honey. It’s IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT HONEY CAN ONLY BE GIVEN TO KIDS ABOVE 1 YEARS OLD. Do not give honey to kids under 1. Always double check with your provider before starting anything.
When I was at work as a pharmacist, a lot of patients would ask about cough and cold options for themselves and for their kids. My recommendation for an alternative medicine product is always honey and one that I will use for my kids.
Honey is the absolute best cough *medicine* for children over 1 and throughout adulthood. One reason that I love honey so much as an alternative medicine option is because it has been shown in studies to actually be BETTER than placebo. This means that taking honey is a better option than not taking it. Although this is the case for placebo, honey hasn’t been shown to be better than other cough medications, but a lot of parents like to use it because it’s natural.
Is Vapor Rub a safe cough medicine for kids?
This alternative therapy option can help decrease the amount of coughing and allow for kids (and adults) to sleep better at night. In addition to the honey, we also recommend Vapor Rub. This might be a little smelly but it can definitely help with cold symptoms.
For the best way to baby proof your store medications, check out my pharmacist mom approved medicine safety post!
Drug free product for a stuffy and congested nose
To clear up a stuffy nose that your little one might be experiencing is to try saline spray or drops. Little Remedies saline spray and drops is a great option for most ages (newborn and up!). Always double check with your provider though. This product is also recommended by pediatricians and pharmacists alike!
The most effective way to use saline spray to loosen mucus
Tilting the child’s head back will help the drops and spray stay in the general area. It usually only takes a few seconds (5-10 seconds) to start having an effect on loosing the mucus. The bottle will have specific instructions on the best way to relieve nasal congestion in babies and kids. Spraying can be a little more aggressive to babies, so drops are preferred. Only a few drops are needed. Follow up with a nasal bulb or the Frida baby nose sucker.
My experience using the Frida Baby Nose Sucker for my baby
I always use bulbs, short and long, to help with my kid’s congestion. I start with using the saline drops and let it set for a couple of seconds before going in with the nose sucker. It was LIFE CHANGING to go from a typical suction bulb to the frida baby nose sucker. As a pharmacist, it’s insane that I didn’t try this natural product for sickness sooner! It’s a must have for all parents.
Top Recommendations from a Pharmacist
- Before you start increasing your child’s fluid intake, speak with your provider. Kid’s electrolytes are easily changed and can cause an imbalance.
- Avoid the combo meds. Look at the back of the bottle to check the active ingredients. Try to just get the ingredient you need: for fever reduction you only need tylenol or ibuprofen and do NOT need additional medications like dextromethorphan (used to stop coughing).
Common cough and cold medicine questions
- When should I seek medical care for my child when they have the cold, flu, or cough?
- Always check with your provider but basic things to note: if a child is having a hard time breathing, not eating or drinking well despite clearing the nose, a sustained fever. Ask your provider for how long a fever is okay and when to get treatment AND what temperature is becoming dangerous.
- How do you use the Frida Baby Nose Sucker
- After using saline drops or spray to loosen mucus from the nose, gently press the open nasal sucker to the nostril while using the mouthpiece to suck the mucus out of the nose. Your baby will probably not like this and might cry and can throw up after using this. Make sure the little sponge filter is intact at the top part of the cap. This part help you to not suck up anything into your own mouth. Clean after each use!
- How long can the common cough and cold last?
- It can last days to weeks to a few months. Some symptoms can be lingering and will get better with time. Medicine will only help improve the symptoms, but not the cold itself.
This post showed you all the pharmacist momma approved BEST natural cold medicine for kids.
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