How To Help Treat Your Child's Cold
A cold can sometimes be severe enough that you may think it's the flu. When it affects your child, it can be difficult watching your little one in agony with coughing fits, a runny nose, and just not feeling like themselves. Read on for ways you can help treat your child's cold.
Prop Your Child Up
When your child lays flat at night, it can make breathing difficult, and you may notice more coughing or even choking. This is because all of their mucus is draining down the back of the throat and causing them to choke. Prop your child up with pillows or use a pillow to prop up the mattress a bit to keep your child from laying flat. Try to have your child lay on the side rather than on their back can also be helpful.
Run A Humidifier
A humidifier can help if your child has a cough, as it can help to loosen up the mucous and thin it out. Run the humidifier in your child's bedroom when sleeping at night to help ease cold symptoms and allow your child to breathe a bit better.
Get The Mucous Out
If your child is old enough to blow their nose, have your child blow their nose often to get the mucus out. If your child is too young for this, use a booger sucker to get the mucous out for them. Continuing to get rid of the mucus will help prevent the coughing and choking that can sometimes happen with excess mucous.
Drink Water
Water can also help thin out the mucus and flush the system of germs and bacteria. Give your child water to drink rather than milk, which may thicken the mucus and lead to choking. Drinking water is good for your child anytime, but especially when they are not feeling well, it can be beneficial. Drinking water helps your child stay hydrated as well. Being dehydrated and sick may worsen your child's condition. Give your child a cup of water and make sure your child is getting enough water throughout the day.
Give Pain Reliever
For severe colds especially or if your child is coughing quite a bit, a pain reliever such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help relieve pain associated with their cold. They may be experiencing pain in their chest from coughing so much, or even headaches and the pain reliever will help.
If your child is ill and the treatments above just aren't helping, or your child is getting worse take your child an urgent care clinic for a checkup.
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