"Paging Dr. Mom: Sniffles reported in ward nine. School contagion suspected. Full-blown household outbreak expected." What now? We asked real moms to share their best strategies for making it through cold and flu season (relatively) sneeze-free!
Frequent hand washing is your absolute best defense! My daughter loves foaming soap. The rule in our house is "As soon as you walk in the door, wash up."
I make sure everyone gets enough rest: 12 to 14 hours a night for the kids, and as for the grown-ups, well, as much as we can!
Airborne: I swear by it! All of the parents and teachers at my school do as well. Just be sure to get the orange flavor and not the lemon-lime.
I strongly believe in the flu shot. My kids get one every year.
Eat lots of fresh fruits and veggies. And when a cold strikes, comfort food can't be beat: chicken soup, 7Up, saltines, Jell-O, grilled cheese, PB&J, tomato soup… It always did the trick when I was a kid!
Keep supplies on hand so you're not caught unprepared. During cold and flu season, we stock up on honey (use a spoonful for a scratchy throat), cold medicine, OJ that's high in vitamin C, ingredients for homemade chicken soup, Sprite and a box of tissues for every room of the house.
One word: NyQuil! NyQuil is love in a bottle, let me tell you!
Lysol disinfectant spray is great stuff, and we always have it during the cold season. Disinfect doorknobs at least once a day, bathroom surfaces several times a day, plus tabletops, surfaces, chairs and toys, all on a regular basis.http://www.ivillage.com/top-10-cold-and-flu-remedies-mom-ivillagecom/6-a-144223
1. Steam
Steamy air is an excellent way to help reduce congestion. Several Circle of Moms members recommend running a hot bath or shower and keeping your child in the steamy room for as long as possible. Others, like Melissa S., recommend a humidifier for making the air more moist: “What REALLY helps is a humidifier. The cold mist helps my daughter sleep SO much better, and it helps loosen [her] congestion."
2. Vapor Rubs
Applying a vapor rub to the chest and feet is another popular way to treat children's colds. As Claudia G. relays, "I rubbed Vicks Vaporub on her chest and feet and put socks on her at bedtime and during the day. That really worked for her. I could notice the difference after just one night of doing that."
3. Head Elevation
If your child is having trouble sleeping because of his cold, try elevating his head. As Stina B. explains: “Mykids always had difficulty sleeping when they were stuffed up... I'd elevate the head of their beds with a pillow under the mattress...” Jen M. agrees: “Use pillows so he is sleeping in almost a sitting-up position.”
4. Fluids
“Lots of fluids,” recommends Hannah V., and many moms echo this suggestion, as staying hydrated is so important when fighting an illness. In addition to water, Janet M. recommneds vitamin-packed orange juice. And don't forget hot, soothing liquids like chicken soup.
5. Honey
While honey shouldn't be given to children under the age of one, many moms recommend honey as a cold remedy for older children. As Jen M. shares, "You can make a cough syrup with water, honey, and lemon juice. These help my son the most." The AAP also suggests a honey remedy for kids' colds: "Try half a teaspoon of honey for children aged 2 to 5 years, 1 teaspoon for children aged 6 to 11 years, and 2 teaspoons for children 12 years and older."
6. Saline Drops and Nasal Aspirators
Saline nose drops can be used to “clean out the sinuses” of children of any age. After the mucus is thinned and loosened, many moms recommend using a nasal aspirator like the Snot Sucker to get it out, since most kids aren't yet pros at blowing their noses. Melissa B. shares: "I use saline nasal spray and a good old [fashioned] bulb syringe to suck it all out! It's non-pharmaceutical and it really helps break up the mucus."
7. Fever Medication
If your child has a fever, the AAP recommends acetaminophen for a baby 6 months or younger, and either acetaminophen or ibuprofen for a child older than 6 months. Enlist your doctor's help in determining the right dosage for your child, and always double check the concentration on the bottle.
http://www.circleofmoms.com/article/7-tips-treating-kids-colds-page-3-01967?trk=multipage_nextpage_big_buttons
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