Mild Allergies--Zyrtec alternative?

[Mirichka]

Okay, so I posted somewhere else about this, but I think this might be a more appropriate forum. My 18mo son has had a cough for about a month now. It mostly seems to bother him at night. For nighttime, the humidifier seems to be doing the trick and he has been able to sleep really well--right next to me, nursing much of the time--but sleeping Anyways, I wasn't sure about the cough so I had the pediatrician listen to it. She diagnosed it as allergies. Its what I thought, but I wanted to be assured. He is otherwise playful and happy during the day. The doctor prescribed OTC Zyrtec. Any alternative suggestions. Or would you just ride this out? He's mostly a breastfed baby. Not too many allergen possiblities and I don't think its severe enough to have to start eliminating foods, Any ideas from moms and/or dads with mild allergy experience?

[mamafish9]

For me, if it is serious enough you're thinking of giving him something for it, it's serious enough to figure out what he's reacting to and try some basic eliminations (whether food, environmental, etc).

You could try giving him sublingual B12 (I like the ones by Jarrow, my son just chews them, or you can crush and rub in his cheek), and vitamin C (about 1-2g a day), both help manage histamine reactions.

[Mirichka]

How do you give a baby vitamin c? I've tried in powder form mixed in juice but it doesn't mix well and he won't drink it. Where do you get the b12 sublingual tabs? Would whole foods carry it? Since we are still primarily nursing maybe it's something I'm eating?

[Mirichka]

Thanks for the advice--I've ordered the Jarrow b12 online. I also gave ds a vitamin C chewable today which he crunched on his own. I wonder if he would eat it if I crushed it for him...any thoughts. Thanks again for the help, I will keep you posted as to how it goes. Any thoughts also on carpet? I am thinking maybe I should get it professionally cleaned? Might that help some or not?