Top 10 Natural Remedies to Treat Coughs and Colds in Babies

Just like adults, babies also suffer from coughs and colds from time to time, due to the common cold. Symptoms often include not just coughs and colds but also headache, fever, and fatigue; though the babies are too young to tell you this, of course.

It is important to make sure the child’s fever goes down as soon as possible since prolonged high body temperatures can have detrimental effects on the body, especially on someone so young.

Here are the top 10 natural remedies you can try at home to treat coughs and colds in babies:

  1. Fluids

It is important to keep your baby hydrated to help reduce labored breathing and help the body heal faster. You can let the child drink fruit juice or vegetable soup or simply water but only give these to babies over 6 months old.

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  1. Breast Milk

Breast milk contains natural antibodies that can help your child fight off various diseases and infections. Continue breastfeeding even if you are feeling under the weather, too, as the benefits of doing this far outweigh the risks.

  1. Apple Cider Vinegar

Warning: Do not make your child drink apple cider vinegar! In this home remedy, the vinegar is actually used externally to help draw heat away from your child’s body; thereby reducing his/her fever. To use this remedy, soak 2 washcloths in a mixture of 1 part vinegar with 2 parts cold water. Put one on the forehead and the other on the tummy for a few minutes.

  1. Bishop’s Weed

Boil half a teaspoon of Bishop’s weed (also called carom seeds) in 1 cup water for a few minutes. Strain the mixture and cool before giving this to your child to drink several times a day. If your child does not like drinking this herbal tea, try this other option: Roast 1 tablespoon of Bishop’s weed and 2 garlic cloves. Place the roasted mixture inside a clean piece of cloth, tie the top, and place on your baby’s bed to help treat nasal congestion.

  1. Ginger

Boil ½ cup sliced ginger and 2 cinnamon sticks in 6 cups water. Simmer for 20 minutes and strain. Add sugar or honey. If your child could not tolerate the taste, dilute the mixture by adding more warm water before letting him/her drink.

  1. Orange

Let the child drink one or two glasses of fresh orange juice a day. Older kids can also eat the fruit, if they want to.

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  1. Sponge Bath

Since it is important to keep your child’s temperature within the regular range, you can use a sponge bath. For best results, use cool water. You can also add ½ cup vinegar in the water to help cool the baby’s temperature faster.

  1. Hot Lemonade

Mix peels and juice from 4 lemons with 1 tablespoon of ginger slices and ample boiling water to cover all ingredients. Steep for a few minutes and strain. Add some water and honey to taste before giving to your child to drink.

  1. Honey

Warning: Do not give honey to babies below 1 year old as this might cause infantile botulism! For those over a year old, you can give them a teaspoon of honey a few times a day.

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  1. Warm Chicken Soup

For babies over 6 months old, warm chicken soup would be a great option to take 2 to 3 times a day. You can add various vegetables like spinach and carrots for best results.

Source: Top 10 Home Remedies

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