Best home remedies for cold and cough 

Children catch colds often, and that is because their immune systems are immature. Infants may catch a cold if exposed to any one of the 200 viruses responsible for it.

Common cold in babies:

A common cold in babies is not very serious. According to experts, children will get about eight to ten colds by the time they are two years old.

It is heart-wrenching to see infants struggling, but using medication for babies is not advisable until necessary. Don’t worry, there are multiple ways to ease your baby’s discomfort.

What are the common causes of cold?

Newborn baby colds can be caused by 200 viruses, but the most common virus responsible for the common cold in babies is the rhinovirus. Once infected by a certain cold virus, your children will become immune to it.

But there are many cold-causing viruses . Hence, your baby may suffer from several bouts of the cold. Since cold is communicable, it can enter the body through air, touch, or infected surfaces. Climate change can also cause colds in babies.

Signs and symptoms of infant cold:

The most important symptoms of an infant cold are cough, sore throat, reddened eyes, running nose, fever up to 101 degrees Fahrenheit, loss of appetite, and swollen lymph nodes in the armpits, back of the head, and neck.

The applications caused by several cold:

The conditions caused by several colds are severe ear infections, wheezing, asthma, sinusitis, pneumonia, bronchiolitis, and croup.

Treatment for cold:

• Make certain your baby gets enough sleep.

•Try giving him more food.

•Give your baby paracetamol for fever if the doctor allows it.

•Elevate his head in case of congestion

•Wipe your baby’s nose if flowing

•Only use vapo-rub and nasal drops if prescribed by a doctor.

•The common cause doesn’t require special treatment, but if it becomes severe and doesn’t go away even after a week, consult your doctor to ensure it is nothing serious.

Home remedies for infant colds:

• Additional fluids and foods such as fruits, juices, and water

• Spray saline on the mucus and suck it out.

•Use a humidifier to avoid dryness

•Encourage them to sleep and rest.

•Make it easier for them to cough.

• Consult a doctor if you notice any symptoms.

Tips to minimise the chances of getting a cold:

• Practice basic hygiene at home.

•Make sure that everyone who comes into contact with your baby washes their hands.

•Keep him away from infected individuals.

•Keep him away from cigarette smoke.

•Keep your child hydrated.

• Breastfeed as much as possible.

•Use room humidifiers during dry weather.

• Provide vitamin C-rich fruits and juices to your baby. 

When to consult a doctor?

Consult a doctor if:

• Your child is under three months old.

• The fever has been above 101 degrees Fahrenheit for more than two days.

• There is rapid breathing, wheezing, and ear rubbing.

•There’s abnormal crying

•Your baby is feeling extremely uneasy

• The symptoms worsen, or the treatments are ineffective. 

 Is it safe to give over-the-counter ( OTC) cough and cold medicines to a baby?

The cold is a common problem in children of all ages, but it is a little more difficult to manage in infants because they cannot expel mucus on their own.

OTC is a strict no-no for children under six months. OTC causes side effects in children. These medications can only give some temporary relief but are not worth the risk. It is important to monitor them and know when to reach out to a doctor for a remedy.

 Cold and cough home remedies for baby/kids:

Ajwain potli recipe for babies and kids:

Ingredients:

Half cup of ajwain, a pan and a cotton cloth

Directions:

Heat a pan. Add ajwain and dry roast till a nice aroma comes out of it. Transfer the roasted ajwain to a cotton cloth. Wrap the cloth. Tie a knot to make a potli. Ajwain Potli is ready.

How to use ajwain potli for babies and kids?

Ajwain has numerous benefits that we are not aware of. Ajwain has antioxidant properties that help in boosting the immune system. It also has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties and has been used to treat coughs and colds since ancient times.

Ajwain potli works as a natural inhale and helps in soothing the throat and relieving nasal congestion in babies and kids.

For babies below 1 year, ajwain potli can be placed near the baby’s bedding at some distance. Inhaling the air can help a baby relieve congestion.

For toddlers, check if the potli is warm by placing your wrist in it and giving a hot compress on the chest, back, feet, and palms to relieve the cold and wet cough.

 Home made syrup for cold and cough for babies above 1 year:

1. Ingredients:

Pan, water, Tulsi or Basil leaves, grated ginger and cumin seeds. 

Direction:

In a sauce pan, add 1 cup of water, 25 to 30 Tulsi or Basil leaves, 1 tablespoon of grated ginger and 1 tablespoon of cumin seeds. Turn on the heat below this. Give a good stir to it. On a moderate flame, bring it to a boil and cover it with a lid. Boil it for 5–6 minutes. Filter the water in a bowl .

How to use it?

In the event of a cold or cough, feed babies over the age of one year 1/4 cup (60ml) three times per day. 

2.     Ingredients: 

Sauce pan, grated ginger, crushed black pepper, water, honey and lemon juice.

Direction:

In a sauce pan, add 1 tablespoon of grated ginger, 1/2 tablespoon of crushed black pepper, and 1/2 cup of water. Turn on the heat below this. Mix it well and boil it for five minutes. Use a moderate low flame; don’t use a high flame.

Turn off the heat after 5 to 6 minutes. Make sure water absorbs whole ingredients’ flavors. Strain it into a bowl or glass. Add 1 tablespoon of honey to it. Finally, add 5 to 6 drops of lemon juice to it.

How to use it?

This syrup, like the previous one, is given to babies over the age of one year, 1/4 cup (60ml) three times daily in the event of a cold or cough. Feed at lukewarm to moderate temperatures.