Why does my toddler get so many colds?









How should I treat my toddler's cold?

No medicine will make a virus go away faster, but you can help your toddler feel better and prevent the infection from getting worse by making sure she gets plenty of rest and liquids. Since most children don't master nose blowing until about age 4, here are a few ways to help ease her congestion:

  • Use saline and suction. It's not worth struggling over, but if your toddler tolerates it, tip his head back and squeeze over-the-counter saline (salt water) drops into his nostrils to loosen up the mucus. Then suction out the liquid and mucus a few minutes later with a rubber syringe or nasal aspirator. Apply petroleum jelly to the outside of your toddler's nostrils to reduce irritation. (Don't use nasal sprays on your child unless his doctor says it's okay. They may work temporarily but can cause a rebound effect in which the congestion gets worse with continued use.)
  • Moisten the air. Use a humidifier or a cool-mist vaporizer to moisten the air in her room. Or take your toddler into the bathroom with you, turn on the hot water, close the door, and sit in the steamy room for about 15 minutes. A warm bath can accomplish the same thing.
  • Elevate your child's head. Raise the head of your child's mattress by a few inches. Put a crib wedge or a towel under the end of the mattress. Never use pillows to prop up your toddler as they create a risk of suffocation. And don't put anything under the legs of the crib, which could make it unstable.

For more safe ways to soothe your child's symptoms, see our article on home remedies that really help.

Is it okay to give my toddler over-the-counter cold (OTC) medicine?



If your toddler is feverish and uncomfortable, you may want to give him acetaminophen or ibuprofen, making sure to give him the correct dose for his age and weight.



Adding a few drops of menthol, eucalyptus, or pine oil to a vaporizer or bath may help your toddler feel less congested, says Kathi Kemper, professor of pediatrics, public health sciences, and family medicine at Wake Forest University School of Medicine and author of The Holistic Pediatrician. (You can get these oils at most natural food stores.) A spoonful of honey or a weak, lukewarm solution of chamomile tea can also be soothing.

For more great ideas, see our complete article on safe home remedies for children.
