My 4 year old has a nasty cold. Besides his prescribed antibiotics and advised dosages of OTC meds, what can I do to soothe him? His nose is constantly running, but he's still stuffy. He coughs in his sleep and is just restless in general. Any advice?
2006-10-24 17:47:12 · 14 answers · asked by Suse 4 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
Try a little Vicks mixed with a little vasoline..see if that works..and no milk..that causes more congestion..Also, give him lots of water... When he is sleep..prop his head up a little (at a slant) it makes it a little easier to breathe.
2006-10-24 18:01:53 · answer #1 · answered by Tru-Gem 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Well, if it is a cold, it's viral and antibiotics aren't doing anything to help him. So many doctors dole out antibiotics as if they were M&M's! For the congestion, I always use some Vapor Rub. If he doesn't like the way it feels on his skin, just apply a little on his pj's. If you bring him in the bathroom with the door closed and run hot water in the shower, the steam might help break up the gunk in his chest so at least the coughing is more productive. Keep a positive attitude, pessimism is more contageous than the cold! Instead of asking if he still feels crummy, ask if he's feeling better. It sounds silly, but the mind is a mysterious and powerful healing device! While he's awake, try to divert his attention to fun activities like coloring or easy crafts, maybe a board game you can play together. Keep his mind off how lousy he feels. Good luck, I hope he feels better tomorrow.
2006-10-24 18:04:27 · answer #2 · answered by Chocoholic 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Take him in the bathroom,shut the door and put a towel under the door. Run the shower really hot and let the steam build up with him on your lap. You can sit on the toilet. The steam will help loosen up the sinuses. Don't worry about the heat,he's not a baby and his body can probably regulate his temperature well enough. It was already said but it is a good idea to keep him slightly elevated while he sleeps..the coughing is probably mostly post nasal drainage irritating his throat. But I still think that good old fashioned TLC goes a long way. Hope he feels better soon.
2006-10-24 18:02:54 · answer #3 · answered by madame_emperess 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
All the answers so far are really good, another idea is a humdifier, or I used to boil Vicks on the stove in an old sauce pan with some water, I still do that when I am sick, Also vicks under the nose or on the chest and those new plug in vaporioriers are awesome
2006-10-24 17:59:50 · answer #4 · answered by Lisa H 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I give my kids some 'airborne' 2x a day when one fo them is sick. They are these fizzy tablets that you drop in water and they dissolve. They have lots of vitamins and minerals in them to give your immune system a boost. You can get it just about anywhere.
Just a few weeks ago, my 3 year old came down with a cold and I gave some airborne to all 3 of my kids. My 2 year old got the cold and it lasted for over a week, but he wouldn't drink any of it. My 3 year old got over her cold in 2 days, and my 4 year old never got sick. It says to give kids 1/2 tablet, but I give my kids 1/3 twice a day. I asked the dr. about it and she said there shouldn't be a problem if given in small doses and not all the time.
Also, use a humidifier and, if you can, keep his head elevated a little extra at night.
2006-10-24 18:31:02 · answer #5 · answered by JenN 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Get some Vicks make a vaporiser out of it by putting a tablespoon of Vicks in boiling water.Put it in his room at bedtime and that should help sooth nighttime coughs. Also put some vicks on a tissue and put it in his pocket or down his top during the day. I found rubbing it directly on the skin burns. Also give him a nice warm bath before bed and make sure he is completly dry before you put him to bed. Other tham that let it just run its course.
2006-10-24 18:28:01 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
No milk...that made my kids worse off when they had a cold, but that seemed to be what they craved. I made sure they drank only water. And as silly as this sounds, I make my kids go swimming. It expands their lungs and gets a lot of the snot out naturally. If you don't have access to a pool or jacuzzi (my kids preferred that, but I sure didn't want to soak in booger water), have him take a warm bath before bed. Use one of those nightime (preferably with Mentholatum) bubble baths. It'll soothe him, calm him, and can ease some of the cold symptoms long enough for him to fall asleep. Good Luck to you too!
2006-10-24 17:50:49 · answer #7 · answered by SoCalBeachGal 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Try to get him to blow his nose if he can or use a saline solution nasal spray (available otc at any drugstore)if he'll let you. A humidifier would also help with the stuffiness in his nose. Also have him sleep in a slightly reclined position by elevating him with pillows or elevating the head of his bed or mattress. It will help drainage.
Hope he feels better soon.
2006-10-24 17:51:48 · answer #8 · answered by suzyQ 3 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Well, if he has a fever then don't put a blanket over him thats bad. Mostly sometimes sleep helps alot. It will rest his head and he won't have to be irritated. Give him alot of fluids. Water helps alot. It clears his nose if he has nasal congection. Make sure he eats so he doesn't get weak. Soup will help alot. Good Luck. Hope he gets better!
2006-10-24 17:51:34 · answer #9 · answered by ♥Choco Lover♥ 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I used to direct a preschool swim software, and virtually with out exception, each and every newborn I requested about being chilly denied it. That develop into inspite of blue lips and fingernails and chattering tooth. babies extremely won't be able to modify their conception of chilly till about 40 to 40 8 months of age (3 a million/2 to 4).
2016-10-16 06:20:04 · answer #10 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋