| American Academy of Pediatrics and FDA agreed | | | | battle nasal congestion. Saline solution is |
| that there is not enough scientific evidence | | | | a salty water, thus it is very safe to use as |
| regarding safety and efficacy of cold and | | | | many times as your infant's nose needs it. |
| cough medications in children. Therefore, | | | | Children younger than 3 months should be |
| most of the over-the counter products were | | | | evaluated for fevers by your health care |
| taken off your super market's shelf. You | | | | provider as soon as possible. |
| might wonder about what else is out there to | | | | |
| treat cold symptoms of your child. | | | | Cold Treatment in Older Children |
| | | | |
| What to expect when your child has a cold | | | | Clear fluids are crucial, especially when the |
| | | | child runs a fever. Chicken soup daily will |
| Statistically speaking, cold symptoms are the | | | | help with nasal congestion, will break up |
| worse on days 3 and 4. After day 5, you | | | | mucus in the respiratory system, and will |
| should expect to see some improvement daily. | | | | decrease mucus production. |
| It is not unusual to have a fever even with a | | | | |
| plain cold. However, fever should resolve | | | | Children over 12 moths of age can be given |
| after 3 days. | | | | honey for coughs, 1 teaspoon three times a |
| | | | day or at bedtime if cough control is desired |
| Cold Treatment in Infants | | | | at night time only. Research shows that |
| | | | honey has better cough suppressing qualities |
| Water down her formula to help decrease | | | | than dextromethorphan found in most |
| mucus. You can elevate her head of bed to | | | | over-the-couter cough suppressants. Extra |
| help with breathing when the infant has nasal | | | | pillow, vaporizer and saline nasal spray will |
| congestion. Small children should not use | | | | work as well! For aches and pains or fever |
| pillows. However, you may slide something | | | | you can use Tylenol as needed. |
| under the mattress (i.e. pillow, rolled up | | | | |
| blanket, or a telephone book) to keep her | | | | If your efforts to make the cold better fail, |
| head elevated at night. A vaporizer by the | | | | your child gets worse, or you are concerned, |
| bedside and saline nasal spray will help to | | | | talk to your health care provider right away! |