Did you know that children suffer
3-8 colds a year? It can be quite a task
to nurse your child when they are down.
Some useful pointers to remember when your
child gets infected:
Do's
Your child should wash hands frequently:
This lessens the chances of re-infection
for themselves and/or others. Keep some
instant hand sanitizer handy in case washing
the conventional way becomes cumbersome.
Hydration: Dehydration results easily when
they are sick. Give your child lots of water
(clear liquids) to boost their immune system.
Give the correct dose of medicine: Read
directions on your child's medications before
medicating. Bear in mind that by giving
more than one medication, overdosing and/or
reducing the medicine effect can happen.
Use a rubber bulb aspirator for children
under 6 months old: This is a great tool
to relieve nasal congestion in infants.
Tip your baby's head back and squeeze over-the-counter
saline drops into your baby's nostrils to
loosen up the mucus. Then use the bulb to
suck out any mucus.
Dont's
Give your child aspirin: Use medications
with non-aspirin acetaminophen. Aspirin
can eat away the lining of the stomach.
(Check with your pediatrician if in doubt)
Overmedicate: If your child has a runny
nose and a slight cough but is handling
it fine, avoid medication altogether. Let
the symptoms run their course.
Keep them around cigarette smoke: Children
contract colds largely because of second-hand
smoke. Stay away from environments with
cigarette smoke.
