10 Simple Ways to Help Your Child Feel Better
Helping A Child Through a Cold Naturally
Helping a kid through a cold. Is there anything more pitiful than a sick kid?
The red little nose. The cough that gets worse the minute their head hits the pillow. The child who suddenly needs Mom approximately every 47 seconds.
And then comes the question most of us have Googled at some point:
How can I help my child’s cold naturally?
The frustrating answer is that we can’t magically make a common cold disappear. Colds are usually caused by viruses and generally have to run their course.
But that doesn’t mean we can’t do anything.
There are several simple things we can do at home to keep our children comfortable, hydrated and resting while their little bodies recover.
Here are 10 of my favorites.
Quick Answer: How Can I Help My Child Through a Cold Naturally?
For a typical uncomplicated cold, focus on rest, plenty of fluids, saline for congestion, a clean cool-mist humidifier, warm liquids and lots of comfort. For children over age 1, honey may also help soothe a cough.
And sometimes the best medicine really is pajamas, a favorite movie and Mom sitting nearby.
1. Keep the Fluids Coming to help a cold naturally
Hydration is one of the simplest—and most important—things you can focus on.
Offer water regularly. Depending on your child’s age and needs, breast milk, formula, broth or other appropriate fluids can also help.
Good hydration can help keep mucus thinner and easier to clear.
If your child doesn’t want to drink much at once, don’t panic. Try offering smaller amounts more frequently.
2. Let Them REST to heal a cold naturally
We live in a culture that wants everyone back to normal immediately.
Sometimes a sick little body needs exactly the opposite.
Cancel what you can.
Put on the pajamas.
Grab the blankets.
Read books.
Watch movies.
Nap.
Their body is doing a lot of work. Give it permission to slow down.
3. Try Saline for That Stuffy Nose to Help a Cold Naturally
Plain saline nose drops or spray can help loosen thick or dried mucus.
For babies and younger children, a nasal aspirator or bulb syringe can then help gently remove the loosened mucus.
This can be especially helpful before feeding and bedtime.
4. Use a Clean Cool-Mist Humidifier to Support Colds Naturally
Dry winter air can make a stuffy nose and dry cough feel even worse.
A cool-mist humidifier adds moisture to the air and may make congestion more comfortable.
Just remember one important word:
CLEAN.
Humidifiers need regular cleaning according to the manufacturer’s instructions so they don’t become little mold-and-bacteria factories.
Because nobody needs to add THAT to cold week.
5. Try Honey for a Cough—But Only After Age 1
For children 1 year and older, a small amount of honey can soothe the throat and may reduce nighttime coughing.
You can offer it by spoon or mix it into an age-appropriate warm drink. I love adding a drop of lemon essential oil. It’s a powerful combo.
Never give honey to a baby younger than 12 months because of the risk of infant botulism.
6. Offer Warm, Comforting Liquids
There’s a reason Grandma kept making chicken soup.
Warm broth, soup and other age-appropriate warm liquids can be soothing when a child’s throat feels scratchy and they’re congested.
And sometimes getting anything into a child who doesn’t feel well deserves its own parenting trophy.
7. Help Them Breathe More Comfortably
If your child’s nose is clogged, try saline and gentle nose blowing or suction. My youngest daughter loves Breathe Again roller ball.
Moist air can also be comforting. Sitting together in the bathroom while a warm shower runs can increase the humidity in the room.
With babies and young children, always supervise closely around hot water.
8. Don’t Force Food
Appetite often drops when kids aren’t feeling well. Tummygize may help, it’s worth a try.
Hydration is especially important during illness, so don’t turn dinner into World War III because your child doesn’t want broccoli tonight.
Offer simple, nourishing foods they tolerate and let appetite gradually return as they feel better.
9. Give Them Extra Comfort for a Cold Naturally
This one won’t show up on a prescription bottle.
Cuddle them.
Read another story.
Rub their back.
Let them sleep.
Sit beside them.
Being sick can feel scary to little kids. Your calm presence matters.
And yes—sometimes that means you watch the same cartoon 14 times.
This is motherhood. We persevere.
PS I love to diffuse Thieves to help me stay healthy.
10. Know When It’s More Than “Just a Cold”
Most uncomplicated colds improve on their own, but parents should pay attention when something doesn’t seem right.
Contact your child’s healthcare provider if you’re concerned, especially with persistent or worsening symptoms.
Seek prompt medical care for symptoms such as:
- Difficulty breathing
- Bluish lips or face
- Signs of dehydration
- Unusual sleepiness or difficulty waking
- Severe or rapidly worsening symptoms
- A fever in a baby younger than 3 months
- Fever that persists or returns after improving
- Significant ear pain
- Symptoms that improve and then become substantially worse
Trust your parenting instincts. If your child seems significantly sicker than you’d expect from an ordinary cold, get medical advice.
What I Keep Around During Cold Season
Along with the basics above, there are a couple of Young Living products I personally like having in our home during cold season.
These aren’t cures for a cold, and I don’t use them as replacements for appropriate medical care.
They’re simply part of the wellness routine I choose for my family.
Immugummies™
Immugummies are one of my favorites because they’re an easy way to add immune-supporting nutrients to our normal wellness routine. I love the taste of these. I keep them in the fridge for freshness.
Young Living formulates them with ingredients intended to support normal immune function.
I think of this as supporting the body, not treating a cold.
KidScents® SniffleEase™
This is another one I like having available during sniffle season.
SniffleEase is an aromatic essential-oil blend formulated specifically for children. I love the fresh, comforting aroma when we’re dealing with one of those stuffy-nose days.
Young Living’s current directions recommend SniffleEase for children ages 2–12, with application by or under the supervision of a trusted adult.
Always follow the current product label and age directions.
What About Children’s Cold Medicine?
Be particularly careful with over-the-counter cough and cold products in young children.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends avoiding OTC cough and cold medicines in children under 4. For children ages 4–6, they should be used only when recommended by the child’s doctor.
And antibiotics don’t treat an ordinary viral cold.
If you’re unsure what medication is appropriate for your child’s age, weight or symptoms, call your pediatrician or pharmacist rather than guessing.
The Mom Reminder
When our children are sick, we want to FIX IT.
I get it.
But sometimes supporting a sick child isn’t about finding one magical remedy.
It’s about creating the conditions their little body needs while it heals:
Rest.
Fluids.
Comfort.
Sleep.
Nutrition.
A clear little nose.
And lots and lots of love.
You’re not doing “nothing.” You’re caring for them. And that’s a pretty big something.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a cold last in children?
Cold symptoms commonly last about a week, although some symptoms—especially nasal discharge or cough—can linger longer. If symptoms are unusually prolonged, worsening or concerning, contact your child’s healthcare provider.
What naturally helps a child’s stuffy nose?
Saline nose drops or spray, gentle nose blowing or suction for younger children, adequate fluids and a clean cool-mist humidifier can help make nasal congestion more comfortable.
What can I give my child naturally for a cough?
For children over 1 year, honey may help soothe coughing, particularly at night. Never give honey to an infant younger than 12 months.
Does my child need antibiotics for a cold?
Usually not. The common cold is caused by viruses, and antibiotics treat bacterial infections—not viruses. A doctor may prescribe antibiotics if your child develops a bacterial infection such as certain ear or sinus infections.
Should I send my child to school with a cold?
Consider fever, how your child feels and your school’s illness policy. A child who is fever-free and feels well enough to participate normally may be able to return, but follow your healthcare provider’s and school’s guidance.
Want My Cold-Season Checklist?
Nothing is worse than realizing at 10:30 p.m. that you’re out of saline, honey or tissues when somebody wakes up coughing.
That’s why I created my Mom’s Cold-Season Survival Checklist—a simple list of things I like having in the house before somebody gets sick.
[GET THE FREE COLD-SEASON SURVIVAL CHECKLIST]
And if you’d like to know more about the wellness products our family uses during cold season, I’d be happy to share those with you, too.
[LEARN ABOUT MY FAVORITE COLD-SEASON WELLNESS PRODUCTS]
This article is for general educational purposes and isn’t a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always consult your child’s healthcare professional about symptoms, medications, supplements and essential-oil use. Follow individual product labels and age recommendations.
For more on this subject, read the post, 3 Tips to Tame Allergies, Naturally.
