Safe baby cold medicine according to a doctor's prescription (plus natural medicine)

When a baby has a cold or flu, it's natural for parents to panic. Not only are they busy calming their fussy little ones, parents may also be confused about finding safe drugs. What's more, most babies get the flu eight to ten times in the first two years of their life. So, what cold medicines are effective and safe for children and babies?

Choice of cold medicines for children and babies from doctors

The cold is an infection caused by rhinovirus that attacks the upper respiratory tract. Babies and children are most susceptible to colds because their immune systems are still not perfect.

Children who catch colds generally do not experience symptoms in the first 2-3 days. New cold symptoms will appear and last for 10-14 days. However, it is possible for children to experience symptoms sooner than that.

Here are some cold medicines that can be given to children and babies with certain age restrictions.

1. Saline or nasal spray

Source: Firstcry Parenting

Saline solution is a salt water solution used to moisten the respiratory tract and soften mucus (mucus). After the mucus has softened, suck the liquid into the baby's nose using a snot suction tool.

When used appropriately, nasal sprays are often a safe and effective baby cold remedy. This baby cold medicine can be purchased at the nearest drugstore or pharmacy without a doctor's prescription. However, make sure parents read carefully how to use it.

If you do not understand how to use it or are hesitant to use it, you should ask the pharmacist directly. If necessary, you can also consult a doctor before using a nasal spray.

2. Paracetamol

Fever and headache are the most common accompanying symptoms of colds in infants and children.

To relieve fever in children, you can use paracetamol which is available in many variants. Especially for babies and children, provide the syrup version.

The dose of paracetamol is usually adjusted according to the child's age and weight, for example:

Children aged 4-5 years with body weight of about 16.4-21.7 kg, the usual dose is 240 mg.
Children aged 6-8 years with body weight of about 21.8-27.2 kg, the dose is 320 mg.
Children aged 9-10 years with a weight of about 27.3-32.6 kg, the dose is 400 mg.

Give one dose of medication every 4-6 hours as needed. Do not exceed 5 doses in 24 hours. If used according to the rules of use, paracetamol rarely causes side effects.

Paracetamol is sold freely without the need to redeem a doctor's prescription. However, it is important to understand that paracetamol should only be given to infants aged three months and over.

In addition, always pay attention to the dose that will be given to your little one. Too much paracetamol can cause liver problems.

Therefore, do not give to babies more than the dosage recommended by the doctor or the directions for use on the packaging label.

In general, paracetamol can be dangerous if given to:

Children under two months of age
Children who have liver or kidney problems
Children who are taking epilepsy medication
Children who are taking TB medicine

Paracetamol rarely causes side effects when given in the correct dosage. Even so, this pain reliever drug can react negatively with other medicines.

So, be sure to consult a doctor first before giving it to a baby.

3. Ibuprofen

Ibuprofen is also on the list of cold medicines for children and babies. If used in the right dosage, this medication can help reduce the symptoms of fever, runny nose, and pain in the child's body.

Apart from relieving pain and reducing fever, this drug can also treat inflammation in the body.

Ibuprofen has different strengths according to the dosage. That is why, doctors will generally prescribe a drug dosage according to the child's age.

The dose of ibuprofen for cold children with fever is 10 mg / kg body weight if they are more than 6 months to 12 years of age.

Give one dose every 6-8 hours as needed. Discuss further with the doctor for a more accurate dosage according to the child's condition.

Unfortunately, This cold medicine should only be given to babies aged six months and over. The reason is, ibuprofen is a drug that is stronger than paracetamol.

Ibuprofen can cause mild side effects such as stomach upset, indigestion, and heartburn. Usually, the effects of ibuprofen can be felt 20 to 30 minutes after taking it.

Parents should not give this drug if the baby has:

Allergy to ibuprofen
Have liver pox
Have a history of asthma
Liver or kidney problems

As well as inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn's or ulcerative colitis.

Avoid carelessly giving cold medicines to children and babies

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), children can catch colds up to 6-8 times a year.

Colds do need to be treated so that they don't drag on, but be careful. In fact, in infants, it is not really necessary to be given cold medicine.

According to the U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA), cold medicine is not actually necessary for infants at two months of age or younger.

Here are the rules for giving cold medicines for babies and children.

Over-the-counter non-prescription cold medicines are not recommended for children under 2 years of age
Avoid using cold medicines that contain many combinations of substances because of the risk of overdose if consumed by children.
Parents must carefully read the rules for using cold medicines, especially for over-the-counter medicines.
Choose cold medicines that are specifically marked for babies or children.
Always use the medicine spoon that comes in the medicine package.
Herbal medicine is not always safe to cure a child's cold, consult a doctor.
Immediately consult a doctor if your baby's condition does not improve or gets worse even though he has taken medication.

Quoting from the Mayo Clinic, prescription cough medicines containing codeine or hydrocodone should not be used in children under 18 years of age.

Codeine and hydrocodone are opioid drugs that have the potential for serious side effects for children.

To date, there is no evidence to show that these drugs are effective in treating colds and coughs in children and infants under two months of age.

Always be careful before giving any type of medicine to your little one. Make sure your child gets more benefits than risks.

Therefore, non-prescription cough and cold medicines for children can only be used in children aged 4 years and over with the doctor's approval.

Home remedies for colds for children and babies

Apart from doctor's medication, there are also a number of home remedies for colds you can try on children and babies. Here are some home remedies for baby colds that are safe and effective.

1. Give lots of breast milk as a cold medicine for babies

Breast milk is the best cold medicine for babies. Breast milk contains antibodies and other complete nutrients that can boost your baby's immune system. Including to ward off the flu virus that causes colds.

Adequate breast milk intake also helps meet the nutritional needs of the baby. The fulfillment of nutrients can make a sick baby recover quickly.

In addition, as we know, babies who are fussy and keep crying are usually feeling sick and not feeling well. By breastfeeding, the baby will feel warmer and more comfortable because he feels safe in the mother's arms.

At times, the pain can be so debilitating for your little one that he doesn't have the urge to suckle. If you have this, don't lose your mind to keep giving your baby breast milk.

You can pump breast milk and then store it in a bottle. Rather than from a direct nipple, sucking from a bottle tends to be easier.

If the baby does not want to breastfeed at all, you should immediately take your little one to the pediatrician.

2. Use a humidifier or air humidifier

Colds usually make it difficult for babies to breathe. To relieve breathing, you can use a humidifier.

Humidifiers are useful for keeping the air in the house moist, so that your little one can breathe more smoothly and freely.

Avoid placing the baby in an air-conditioned room for a while or until his condition has completely recovered.

This is because cold temperatures and dry air in an air-conditioned room can exacerbate cold symptoms by causing a throat and an itchy count, as well as a dry mouth.

3. Eat lots of fruits and vegetables

Proper nutritional intake is a cold medicine for children and babies that parents must fulfill. As we know, children who are sick usually tend to have difficulty eating and are fussy.

Meanwhile, in order to recover quickly, children need nutritional intake according to proper children's nutrition.

Fruits and vegetables contain vitamin A and vitamin C which act as antioxidants to ward off various diseases.

If the baby is 12 months of age and over, parents can give him citrus or mango fruit which contains vitamin A and vitamin C which are good for maintaining their immune system so that they recover quickly from illness.

4. Honey as a cold medicine for children

Honey is a natural cold remedy that can help relieve coughs and colds in children. The antimicrobial properties of honey are believed to help the body fight diseases, including viruses that cause colds.

However, honey should only be given to children 12 months of age and over. Giving honey to babies under 1 year of age actually increases the risk of developing botulism infection.

Give half a teaspoon of honey every time the child has a cough or cold to speed up healing. You can also dissolve 2 tablespoons of honey in a glass of warm water to drink every morning and evening.

5. Give water and warm food

If the baby is six months of age and over, you can give warm water to help clear the throat.

This natural cold remedy can help loosen your little one's airways. Making sure your child drinks plenty of water during illness also helps prevent them from becoming dehydrated.

If the child doesn't like plain water, you can make a cup of warm tea. Add a teaspoon of honey and a little lemon juice to enrich the flavor and help relieve breathing.

However, avoid giving honey to children under 1 year of age.

In addition, warm foods such as cereal porridge can also be a natural cold remedy for children and babies.

Warm temperature foods are useful for relieving sore throats, reducing coughs and irritation due to runny noses in babies.

6. Pat the baby's back

Pat the baby's back gently and slowly can also be one of the natural cold remedies for babies. This method helps relieve nasal congestion due to colds.

It's easy. First, lay the baby on the thigh with a prone position. After that, pat his back slowly.

If your baby is more than one year old, you can pat him on the back when he is sitting or while holding him.

7. Routinely clean the baby's snot crust

The mucus or mucus will dry out and harden around the baby's nose. This of course will make the baby feel uncomfortable and uncomfortable because his nose seems blocked by something.

Now, to work around this, you can help clean the crust around the baby's nose using a cotton swab or cotton ball that has been moistened with warm water. Gently rub the area with crusts.

8. Wear extra pillows

Positioning the baby's head slightly higher than his body can help clear his breathing. This allows your little one to sleep better when they sleep.

Make sure you don't choose a pillow that is too high and hard because it actually makes your little one uncomfortable.

9. Take a warm bath as a cold medicine for children

If you have taken medication, persuade children with colds to soak in warm water before bed. In addition to relieving fever, children can inhale warm water vapor to thin the mucus in their throat and nose. After finishing the shower, your little one can breathe easier.

If the child is over 6 years old, you can ask him to breathe in hot water vapor that is collected in a basin.

When to see a doctor

Usually cold symptoms will subside on their own within 10 to 14 days.

Although not a dangerous disease, a cold that is not handled properly can be very debilitating for your little one. You need to take him to the doctor immediately if:

Less than 2 or 3 months old. This is because newborns are at high risk of complications from colds.
Urinating less than usual
Have a fever above 38 degrees Celsius
The child is constantly fussy
Complain of ear pain
Reddened eyes with eye discharge that is yellow or greenish in color
Hard to breathe
Persistent cough
Cough until you want to vomit
Thick green mucus for several days
Refuse to drink breast milk or bottle milk
The presence of blood in the sputum
Difficulty breathing until the lips are bluish