[dantesmama]

My MIL had the bright idea of bringing DS to her work - a very busy doctor/ped office - to show him off when she babysat Wednesday.

: So now DS has his first cold.

: He's so miserable - is there anything I can do for him, or any herbs I can give him to help him feel better? His nose is runny, he's coughing and sneezing, temperature slightly elevated, not eating as much, etc. (He's also teething, poor thing!) I'm offering the breast often, encouraging extra sleep, giving him water, and suctioning out his nose whenever he'll let me, but this is my first experience with a sick babe so I'm kind of in uncharted territory. Any advice from more seasoned mamas? TIA!

 

[Hevyne]

Saline drops for congestion. I was told NOT to suction the nose. It aggravates them and makes them cry and produces more mucus. My ds got a cold at 5 weeks old and it was so sad but he got over it at 2 weeks without the use of any meds. We also ran a humidifier in the bedroom, kept him in there as much as possible, no heat exposure if possible (i.e. run the ac in the house and try not to bring him into the heat, and if possible if you co sleep have him sleep propped up on a firm pillow on his back. good luck!!

 

[aydensmama]

Everything you listed is good + humidifier and elevated sleeping if possible!

 

[Shanana]

Another MDC mama recommended sage tea when my dd was sick and it worked like a CHARM. It really cleared up congestion and I think it helps a little with fever too. I ended up taking dd to the doc because she was screaming (when she was congested) and I was afraid it was an ear infection. I gave her the sage tea about 45 minutes before we went, and when he saw dd he was asking why we were there, lol. She had no congestion, no sign of a cold whatsoever! This is what the other mama said:

Quote:

Smart Medicine for a Healthier Child by Zand, Rountree, and Walton... Quote: Sage tea helps to break up congestion and bring down a fever. Give your child one dose of sage tea, up to three times daily, for three to five days... Newborn to two years. One dose equals...2 or 3 teaspoons of tea.

I got it at Whole Foods, steeped a cup then kept it in the fridge. DD loved the taste. FYI, It is known as "drying", so mama shouldn't take it while bfing because it might affect milk production (per my very knowledgeable yoga instructor).

 

[dantesmama]

Shanana, thank you for the sage tea advice! We will give that a try tomorrow.