Safe and Easy Home Remedies for Baby Cough and Cold

 

Hello dear Mama!

Today I have come to share my heart with you all. It was just last week, it was around 1 am and it was raining lightly outside. Suddenly my son started coughing. His breathing was getting heavy and hearing the sound of a blocked nose made my heart very nervous, I started worrying a lot. If you are facing this right now, you can learn How to Clear a Baby's Stuffy Nose Instantly to help them breathe easily. I could not understand what to do that would bring peace to my son. As a mother, we are all very familiar with this situation when our child is sick, our own life hangs on the cross. We start thinking that I wish this pain would happen to us but our child would sleep peacefully.

That same night when I took my child in my arms, put him to my chest and used some of my old, tried and tested recipes, his breathing got better in a short time and he slept peacefully. Then I thought why not share these simple and safe home remedies from my heart with all you mothers, so that whenever your child goes through this pain, you don't have to worry, but can take care of him like a good and wise mother.

Come, today I will tell you about these tried, safe and natural methods that mothers have been using for their children in our homes for centuries.

The best and safest solution for newborns

If your baby is very young (especially under six months old), his immunity is still very low. We need to be very careful for such innocent babies.

• Breast Milk: As a mother, I believe that there is no better medicine than breast milk. Breast milk is a natural shield for a baby. When a baby is sick, feed him your milk frequently. It not only gives him strength but also prevents dehydration in his body.

• Pure mustard oil massage: Remember that giving anything to small children to drink can be dangerous, so external massage is the safest. Burn a couple of cloves of garlic in a little mustard oil and warm it slightly and massage it gently on the baby’s chest, back and soles of the feet. This provides internal warmth to the baby’s body.

• Keep your baby upright or elevated: When your baby has a blocked nose, don't lay them completely upright. Keep their head slightly elevated by placing a thin cloth on your lap or under their head to make it easier for them to breathe. For more tips on setting up a peaceful sleeping environment, see our top ways on Best and Easy Ways to Help Your Baby Sleep.

Home remedies for babies over six months

When a baby is older than six months and starts solid food, we have some other best and easiest ways to comfort him.

Along with external care, offering them warm, comforting liquids is a great way to soothe a congested chest from the inside. You can check out our top recipes for the best healthy soups and porridges for babies in winter to naturally speed up their recovery.

• The magic of celery potli: This method was told to me by my grandmother. Make a potli by adding a little celery in a clean muslin cloth and heat it slightly on a tawa. Remember that it is not too hot, first check the temperature by applying it on your hand. Now gently rub it on the baby's chest. Its aroma and warmth will immediately open the blocked nose.

• Garlic and celery oil: Add a little celery and garlic to mustard oil and cook it. Filter this oil and keep it in a bottle. Whenever the baby has a cold or flu, massage the baby's back and ribs with this lukewarm oil at night while sleeping. It shows a magical effect. If you notice severe chest rattling, check out our guide on Baby Wheezing Remedies: Safe Home Care.

• Warm water and hydration: If the child is older than one year, give him lukewarm water that has been boiled and cooled, in small sips. This relieves dryness in the throat and thins the mucus and makes it easier to come out. For more details on clear respiratory passages, you can read about How to Remove Mucus From Baby.

Sweet and healing methods for children over one year old

After one year, children's digestive and physical systems become quite strong, so we can give them some things that give instant relief to their throats.

• Honey and ginger juice: Honey is a priceless gift of nature for children over one year old. Mix two drops of ginger juice in half a spoon of pure honey and swish it on the baby. It is a thousand times better and safer than any expensive syrup for sore throat and cough. (Remember: never give honey to a child under one year old).

• Turmeric milk: If your child drinks the above milk, mix just a pinch of ground turmeric in a cup of lukewarm milk before going to bed at night. Turmeric has the natural power to eliminate inflammation and germs, which cures a sore throat.

• Hot chicken soup or stew: Just as we adults like hot soup when we are sick, a light stew of local chicken is very beneficial for children. Add a little black pepper to it and feed it to the child with a spoon. It will also give the child strength and open his closed chest. Severe coughing fits can sometimes trigger spit-ups; if your little one struggles with this, read our practical Baby Vomiting After Feeding? A Real Mom's Guide.

Make the room environment calm and airy

Often, mothers completely close the child's room for fear of catching a cold, which stops the air and the child starts suffocating. We must take special care of this.

• Steam inhalation: If the child is coughing a lot or his nose is completely blocked, open a hot water shower in the bathroom so that steam is created there. Then take the child in your lap and sit there for 10 to 15 minutes so that he can breathe in this moist air. This will soften his nose.

• Maintain humidity in the room: If you have a humidifier, run it in the room, especially in the winter season when the air becomes very dry. Dry air causes more coughing attacks. Keeping them warm outdoors is equally crucial, so make sure to check out How to Dress a Baby for a Stroller in Winter to safeguard them against chilly drafts.

• Cleanliness and fresh air: Be sure to open the window of the room for a while so that the old air can go out and fresh air can come in. Do not allow dirt, dust, or any type of perfume or cigarette smoke around the baby, as this can aggravate the cough.

The power of love, touch and comfort

My dear sisters, medicine and tips have their place, but the greatest healing for a sick child is the touch of his mother. When the child is sick, do not take him away from your lap.

• Skin-to-skin contact: Hold the baby close to your chest. The natural warmth of your body calms the baby's heartbeat and breathing. This makes the baby feel safe.

• Lullabies and affectionate words: Sing a sweet lullaby in a soft voice or stroke his head. Your calm tone will eliminate the baby's irritability and he will recover quickly.

An important request: Never make these mistakes!

While some things benefit the child, some mistakes made unknowingly can also harm. 

Always remember these things from me:

• Do not give antibiotics or syrups yourself: Cough syrups available in the market can be harmful to young children. Do not start any English medicine on your own unless the doctor says so. Instead, learn How to Check a Baby's Temperature accurately and manage minor viral flares using Safe Home Remedies for Fever in Toddlers before rushing for unnecessary medications.

• Do not give honey to a child under one year old: It has also been scientifically proven that it is impossible for young children to digest some of the components in honey and it can be poisonous to them.

• Do not dress the child too warmly: Often mothers dress the child so much that the child becomes drenched in sweat. This sweat can make the child feel colder. The clothes should be comfortable and according to the weather.

When is it necessary to see a doctor?

Home remedies are great for the common cold, but you have to be a wise mother. If you see the following signs in your child, don't waste time on home remedies, but take your child to the doctor immediately:

If the child has a very high fever that is not decreasing.

If the child is moving his ribs while breathing (i.e. his stomach is sinking inward).

If the child is not drinking milk at all and is crying constantly.

If the cough or cold has been going on for more than a week and the condition is not improving.

I pray that Allah Almighty will keep your children, mine, and all of us in His protection, grant them a long and healthy life, and may no mother see the pain of her child. Amen.

Disclaimer: 

The information provided in this blog post is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your pediatrician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. Reliance on any information provided here is solely at your own risk.