Natural Remedies for Toddlers with Colds

It is the absolute worst watching your little one get sick with a cold! Having a routine ready along with supplements on hand is the best thing you can do to be prepared. I put together Natural Remedies for Toddlers with Colds to help parents who want to implement a holistic approach for their sick child.

My son Louie is on the tail end of his first big cold at 18 months old! Luckily I already purchased supplements and didn’t have to make any runs out for products, so that was helpful. We are making our way through 4:30 am wake ups and cranky nights so one less thing I need to do the better! I am sure you are with me on that one!

Before we get into Natural Remedies For Toddlers with Colds, I also want to mention as a disclaimer, I am not a health professional, and you should always contact your child’s physician with concerns and to check on using these remedies.

How You Can Treat Congestion Naturally

Mucus, pouring noses that don’t seem to stop and even coughing; these poor little bubs get it all. Here are some items you can keep on hand to be prepared to treat congestion.

Step 1

Use a saline spray to loosen up mucus. Louis absolutely detests this; however, it is worth doing because it really makes a big difference. Be sure to follow the instructions on the bottle.

The product we use is called Little Remedies Nasal Mist. The instructions say to turn your toddler on their side and spray the saline towards the bridge of their nose on the side that is facing up, so it drips out the other nostril. Wipe, then turn and repeat on the other side.

Little Remedies is safe for newborns+

Step 2

After the saline rinse get your Nose Frida ready with a filter and suck those nasty snots out. This two-step process really helps loosen and remove mucus.

I recommend doing this before your little one’s nap and before bed so he can breathe easier. I also do this two-step process in the morning as noses seem to drain out after laying down all night.

Friday Baby has a manual NoseFrida and an Electric Nose Frida. 

Step 3

Make your own or use a natural eucalyptus chest rub. We like to use Maty’s All Natural Baby Chest Rub because it is petroleum and menthol free.

This product also has the proper dilutions for babies 3 months and older. The ingredients include coconut oil, coriander oil, chamomile oil, eucalyptus oil, patchouli oil and lavender oil.

You can rub some on the soles of your child’s feet and then put socks on. Next a rub some on his chest. I recommend using the chest rub in the am and before nap time and bedtime.

If you would like to make your own chest rub, just combine a teaspoon of organic castor oil with 1 drop of organic eucalyptus essential oil. I always keep a bottle of Sky Organics Castor Oil on hand as well as Cliganic eucalyptus essential oil.

Step 4

If you have a baby who sleeps in a crib you can raise up the side he sleeps on safely with risers. This will help a little bit with postnasal drip.

Step 5

Keep a humidifier and air filter going during the day and at nap and bedtime. This will also help with breathing and the humidifier can help loosen the mucus. You can try using an oil diffuser during the day with a drop of the eucalyptus oil.

Frida Baby has a 3 in 1 machine that is a humidifier, oil diffuser and night light. This saves space so you don’t have to purchase both a humidifier and a diffuser.

I highly recommend reading this article on humidifiers before purchasing one as you want to be sure it is not set too high and that it is cleaned of bacteria, dust and mold. There are mist free humidifiers available with antimicrobial filters like the one we use from Pure Enrichment.

I also like using the Pure Enrichment air purifiers in my home because they have UVC to clean the air. We keep this on nightly as part of Louis sleeping routine however, when he is sick we also keep it going during the day.

Another method you can try, if you can get out to the grocery store, is steaming eucalyptus leaves in the shower to help break up mucus. I tried this with Louie. I just let him play around in the bathroom with me and read him some books while the rooms steamed up. (note the child does not go in the shower it will be too hot and is unsafe.)

Supplements 

Vitamin C and D are essential when we are sick, and the good news is there are brands you can trust for your little one too. I am a big fan of both Mary Ruth’s and Mommy’s Bliss products since they are both natural and don’t include toxic additives and preservatives. I always read the labels and do research before purchasing any products, especially products for my child.

My pediatrician recommended keeping Louis on vitamin c and d during the winter months so that is something to consider to keep your child’s immune system up.

Below you will find a list of products I use for my son Louis and therefore recommend them.

Mary Ruth’s Organic Toddler Vitamin C (Ages 1-3)

Up to 12 Months

Mommy’s Bliss Vitamin D Drops

Mommy’s Bliss Probiotics

Probiotics are important because the gut microbiome plays a crucial role in fighting off colds.

Mommy’s Bliss Baby Elderberry

Kids Cough Syrup + Mucus (1 -3 years)

Contains Elderberry, Ginger, Slippery Elm, Agave and Honey (honey should only be used 1+ years old)

Do not combine with Mommy’s Bliss Elderberry

 

Fevers

A natural remedy to help reduce your child’s fever is a cold compress with organic apple cider vinegar. You can put 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar in a bowl with cool or cold water and dunk a washcloth in it. Then hold the cloth on your little one’s forehead.

As always consult with your physician if your child has a fever.

Coughs

Raw honey can help soothe a sore throat. It is also antibacterial and a good source of antioxidants. You can try some warm water, cinnamon and a half teaspoon if your child will tolerate this drink. Louis wouldn’t drink this since it is a new flavor for him. Instead of the warm drink I just give him a spoonful of honey and followed it with water. We do this three times a day. If you have a child under 1 years old do not give him honey!!

Feeding

Smoothies are a great way to get extra vitamins and more liquids into your child when he is sick. I have been mixing frozen organic mangos and strawberries with organic orange juice, flax milk and organic almond butter in a blender for a daily pouch. You can mix in a banana if you like or some spinach. You really can’t go wrong.

You want to avoid dairy products when your child is sick because they create excess mucus. I give Louis Good Karma Flax Milk + Protein (protein is from peas) as his every day milk. It makes the smoothie creamier..it is so good that I double batch it and drink one myself.

I also recommend homemade chicken soup. The liquid in the soup helps your little one get more hydrated which is very important when he is sick. Consider adding in some dark leafy greens like swiss chard or spinach to pack in more nutrients!

 

Last but definitely one of the most important tips is to give your bub extra love and cuddles when he is sick!

 

I hope you find this blog on Natural Remedies for Toddlers with Colds helpful. I share this information with other natural minded parents because I spend a lot of time researching and learning more about natural ways to parent and I truly enjoy being helpful. If you have some natural remedies, please share them with me in the comments!!

 

Disclaimer: The information contained on this blog is for informational purposes only. This blog is meant to share my health experiences and what treatments worked for my family’s medical conditions, it is not meant to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.