Ten Cold Remedies for Babies

** Edited Jan 10, 2020 – Original June 23, 2019**

When your baby is sick there is basically anything you will do to help them feel better. I have two boys and anytime they get sick it breaks my heart. Hearing their raspy coughs, sniffly noses, and overall fussiness will send any momma to Google trying to find cold remedies for babies. Well, look no further I have put a list of my tried and true 10 cold remedies for babies to save you the headache of losing sleep looking for them!

Vicks vapo rub. This stuff is amazing!

If you have a very young baby or newborn do not put this directly on their skin because it is too sensitive. But there are two other options. First, you can have them wear two onesies the bottom layer put the vapor rub on the chest area and wear a second one over it to make sure there is no direct contact.

Second, rub a quarter-sized amount of vaporub near the drain of the sink basin in the bathroom you bathe your baby. Then, fill the sink with steaming hot water and let the room get nice and steamy so the Vicks gets into the air. Give your baby a nice long relaxing bath. This helps clear out their nose and is perfect to add to the bedtime routine to help them sleep better.

Little remedies saline spray/drops

When your little one has a stuffed up or runny nose you just want to clear it out to help them breathe! A great way to do this is when saline drops (for young babies) and saline mist for older infants and toddlers. Put a few drops or a quick spray in their nostril and then suck out all the boogies and your little angel will be breathing clear in no time. It is also a great way to moisturize their poor little noses.

When your little one has a stuffed up or runny nose you just want to clear it out to help them breathe! A great way to do this is when saline drops (for young babies) and saline mist for older infants and toddlers. Put a few drops or a quick spray in their nostril and then suck out all the boogies and your little angel with be breathing clear in no time. It is also a great way to moisturize their poor little noses.

Humidifier

Humidify! Humidify! Humidify! This is so so important. It keeps the mucous in their noses, mouths, and throats from becoming too thick which helps it run out easier and not get all caught in their lungs. If your child is prone to croup or croup type of coughs then you definitely want a cool mist humidifier not a warm one because the cool air helps soothe and calm their lungs.

Nose Frida

This. Thing. Is. Amazing. So disgusting but seriously so amazing! Basically, it is tube with a tapered end that you put into the babies nose and use a mouthpiece to suck out the boogies. Literally, my husband almost puked when he tried to do it so it is all on me. But, we all know when our babies are sick we will do anything to help them feel better. Which includes using our own mouths to clean out their noses. Don’t worry there is a foam filter thing so the boogies will never reach your mouth!

Bulb suction

For those with less than steel stomachs, a bulb suction is the next best thing. It definitely doesn’t work as well as the Nose Frida and it will take a few more tries to really clean out your babies nose but it will definitely work. Honestly, I use both the nose Frida and the bulb suction. The Nose Frida is amazing for really stuffed up or runny noses while the bulb suction is perfect for the boogies that are easy to see.

Fluids

One of the biggest issues with any illness in a child is keeping them hydrated. If your baby is breastfeeding and has a totally stuffy or runny nose they basically have to choose between eating and breathing so do everything you can to increase their breastmilk intake. Breastmilk is also filled with antibodies from mom to help them fight off the infection. If your child is older and no longer on breastmilk or formula Pedialyte is a great way to keep them hydrated. If your child is a little bit older and can handle popsicles Pedialyte makes delicious popsicles that are great for soothing sore throats.

Cuddles

Did you know that holding your baby has actual pain-relieving effects? All you have to do is cuddle your baby and it literally takes away some of their pain! This is the same reason there are things like the “Cuddle Program” where volunteers cuddle drug-addicted and very sick NICU babies. A simple cuddle can make a huge difference to a sick baby!

Lots of rest

Your baby will need tons of rest when they are sick to fight off the infection. Which can feel like an impossible feat when they can hardly breathe.

Tylenol

(depending on their age) always consult with your doctor before giving your baby medicine of any kind. Tylenol can be an amazing source of comfort for babies that have a high fever or are in pain. This is always my last resort because a fever just means your body is fighting off the infection so we don’t want to take Tylenol too early but if a fever starts getting high then Tylenol works like a charm.

Nebulizer

So obviously you have to get a nebulizer from your doctor but let me tell you what it works and it works fast! If your child is having a raspy sounding cough or a sealing barking one (like with croup) then a nebulizer will bring your little one so much comfort! With these types of coughs, your baby’s trachea or other parts of their airways are inflamed so it hurts to breathe. But, the nebulizer with steroids will get that inflammation down and make your little angel so much more comfortable. My little got had RSV at 4 months old and the nebulizer made such a difference. After the very first use he was back to his chatterbox self.

Always Call a Professional!

Colds and babies aren’t something to mess around with so definitely always put in a call to your pediatrician to make sure it isn’t something more serious. But unfortunately, if it is a cold there isn’t much you can do besides try to help your baby feel less miserable while the cold runs its course.