Herbal cold remedies for baby

[Ranni]

Hello,
I am wondering about herbal remedies for a cold in a 5 month old. My son is coming down with a cold and I wouldn't think much of it accept that my husband is just getting over it and was horribly sick. He had a very low fever overnight has a snotty nose and the start of a cough, what would you suggest?
Thanks in advance!!!
Ranni

[kamane18]

Probably not too much other than BFing as much as possible. And extra vitamins C and D for you (which he'll get through the BM). Saline drops are good too and maybe run the vaporizer at night with a few drops essential oil in there? Plus I like Vicks BABY rub (not the regular one) on the feet at night, covered by socks or footed pajamas.

[Marnica]

Most of the time they advise you to not use herbal stuff in a baby that young. I didn't start using herbal stuff with DS until he was a year old
with that being said this stuff (which you have to order from NZ) is amazing and is safe to use in babies The stuff works and I always have it on hand! I would have used it with him at 5 months but I didnt discov it until he was older.

http://www.healthchemist.co.nz/malco...l-p911014.html






I would use homeopathics (hylands makes cold stuff that I used for DS when he was that young) Also I would be giving him SA. Do you BF? If you do chaces are your son will be FAR less sick than your hubby!

[Ranni]

Yes he is exclusively breastfed. Thanks for the suggestions!

[kamane18]

Originally Posted by Marnica

with that being said this stuff (which you have to order from NZ) is amazing and is safe to use in babies The stuff works and I always have it on hand! I would have used it with him at 5 months but I didnt discov it until he was older.

http://www.healthchemist.co.nz/malco...l-p911014.html

This looks very interesting - I wonder why it says it helps with vaccine reactions too?

[Marnica]

Originally Posted by kamane18

This looks very interesting - I wonder why it says it helps with vaccine reactions too?

many herbs have detoxifying properties. I would think that may be why although Im not 100% sure

[tinuviel_k]

At 5 months I would definitely stick to breast milk.

After your baby is a year old you might consider looking into various herbal remedies.

I personally like to make syrups for my daughter. Most little ones like the sweetness of syrup, and if you use raw honey it can be beneficial. However, you need to wait on the honey until after the child is one year old because of the risk of infant botulism.

As my daughter got older and was more willing to take teas I started making more of those. Our standard cold care is to use various infusions and syrups, diluted with hot water, sweetened with honey (unless using a syrup which is already sweet) with a squirt of lemon. She drinks them all day as she is able to.

There are various plant medicines I use during the course of a cold, but they are good in specific situations. For instance, for a productive or almost-productive daytime cough I like to use elecampane. For a night time dry, hacking irritating cough I might use cherry bark. I'll usually combine them with licorice, which is sweet and soothing, and maybe cinnamon, which is warming.
To keep nose congestion running freely I might give ginger tea with lemon.