Few things are more heartbreaking than watching your baby suffer with a cold. The mucus (so much mucus!); the tiny chesty cough; the little glassy eyes. It's so sad! And since many of us are reluctant to use any kind of medication on our babies — and, let's be honest here, there really isn't anything out there that cures a cold — what to do?
There are a few natural remedies that can help alleviate baby's congestion, cough, and fever. No, none of them will eradicate the nasty sickness altogether, but they'll definitely help shorten it a bit.
Here are 5 natural remedies for baby colds.
Create a Steam Room
Go into your bathroom with baby, close the door and windows, and run the shower on hot for a bit to create a steam room. The humidity and steam will help loosen baby's mucus a bit — and it feels really good.
Try Putting a Wedge Under 1 Side of Crib Mattress
If your little one is a wild sleeper, this may be kind of pointless, but for those of you with babies who tend to stay in the same position in their crib, it's worth a shot. Put a towel or two under baby's crib mattress, as to create an angle. Sleeping completely flat pools mucus instead of draining it. Or if baby's really little, try having them sleep on your chest, sitting up.
Make or Purchase a Natural Vapor Rub
You don't want to use a traditional vapor rub on a baby that's intended for adults (and you may not want to use it on adults either!). Try making your own concoction with essential oils, or purchase an all-natural one.
This one from Etsy ($10) contains beeswax, lavender, olive oil, rosemary, eucalyptus oil, and supposedly works wonders. Please remember, though, if making your own vapor rub, do your research and consult a doctor, as to see what's safe for baby.
Try Saline & a Nose Aspirator
Squirting things into a little one's nose can prove to be an Olympic feat, but for those of you blessed with docile children (or children who are docile when they feel ill), squirt a bit of saline into the nostrils to loosen mucus, then suck it out with a nose aspirator. Isn't parenting glamorous?
Rest & Sleep
It sounds like a cliche, but extra rest and sleep really are the best remedies for your baby when she's feeling ill. You may have to put in a bit more time putting her down for a nap or bed at night, but as a parent, it's your duty. Also, feel free to let your little one watch a bit of TV during this time, if that's the only way you can get him or her to sit still and relax.
