The Best Drug-Free Remedies For A Baby Cold

 It’s never easy to see your little one struggle with a nasty cough and cold. You might be tempted to ease all their troubles with a little cough syrup or cold medicine, but these can do more harm than you think. Here are some better and safer ways to help your baby heal and feel better without the risk of harmful chemicals or side effects.

Saline Drops

One of the worst parts of dealing with a nasty cold is having to breathe through a clogged and stuffy nose. Babies especially have to deal with too much snot and mucus many times in their young lives as their tiny nasal canals are prone to filling up with too much gunk. 

You might think that clearing things up with cotton buds or a napkin might solve all your baby’s problems, but they aren’t as helpful as you think. They can push snot and mucus even further back into the nasal canal, and they can even sting and scratch up your baby’s delicate nose. 

Saline drops, on the other hand, can melt away and soften sticky, stubborn snot and mucus instead of clogging up the nose even more. They can also help reduce the swelling of the nasal canal and allow air to pass through so your little one can breathe much easier. Unlike some other household products, saline drops don’t risk any harm to your baby’s nose since they don’t contain any harmful chemicals or sharp edges. Giving a few drops of this stuff two or three times a day should help bring your baby some much-needed relief and comfort during a nasty cold.

Water

A good glass of water always helps us feel better whenever we feel a bit under the weather. It’s cool, refreshing, and a healthy way to keep us replenished. Babies can also benefit greatly from just a bit of extra water while they’re feeling ill from a cold. It can help clear up the nasal passages by making mucus less thick and sticky, and it can help keep them hydrated in case they’ve sweated out a lot of body fluid.

Do be warned, however, that babies less than six months old shouldn’t be drinking anything other than breastmilk unless otherwise specified by your pediatrician. It’s also not a good idea to give your baby more water than their bodies are used to, as this can lead to a rapid drop in blood sugar. The best amount to give your baby would be around 4 to 6 ounces a day.

Breastmilk

It’s no secret that breastmilk is one of the most important fluids for a young baby’s growth and development. It contains plenty of healthy vitamins and nutrients that can nurture a baby’s developing body and antibodies that can give a much-needed boost to a baby’s immune system. Breastfeeding your little one while they’re recovering from a cold can pass on antibodies that fight off infection and help the body recover from illness much faster. Even when your baby isn’t sick, passing off antibodies can still provide them with protection and ensure that they don’t have to endure any difficult diseases in the future.

Breastfeeding offers great benefits for the mother, as well. It can help burn calories and reduce weight, as well as lower risks of breast and uterine cancer. Nursing also helps the brain release a hormone known as oxytocin, which can induce feelings of happiness and affection, as well as aid in the recovery of the uterus after childbirth.

Vitamin D

Sunshine on your baby’s shoulders can definitely make them happy. Not only does Vitamin D help build healthy bones and teeth, but it can also play a vital role in strengthening our immune system and fighting off diseases. Providing your baby with a healthy dose of Vitamin D can help their immune system grow stronger and produce antibodies that can fight illness, as well as ward off skeletal diseases like rickets.

The best source of Vitamin D for a baby isn’t supplements or additional medicine. Babies can already gain a healthy amount of it from simple exposure to sunlight and a nice, long walk outdoors. Just be sure to keep them safe with plenty of sunscreen and protective clothing.

Another great source of Vitamin D for a baby is breastmilk. Nursing mothers can provide their babies with plenty of healthy vitamins through breastfeeding and supply plenty of healthy antibodies to their immune system. If you wish to breastfeed your little ones but feel concerned over any vitamin deficiencies in your system, you can supply your body with plenty of Vitamin D by eating plenty of healthy Vitamin D-rich food such as liver, cereal, fish, and eggs. You can also take safe vitamin supplements as needed since they won’t pose any risk to your child.

There’s no room for risk and error when caring for a delicate and sensitive baby. As mothers and caregivers, we often have to deal with the responsibility of knowing what’s best for our kids and shielding them from harm. Finding the right tools to help give your baby the best love and care can seem quite scary and overwhelming at times, but with enough care and patience, you’ll be sure to come up with a reliable and trustworthy parenting arsenal.