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