17 Month Old - Cold with Chest Congestion

Definetly call the doc.

We use thie Nose Frida, looks gross works wonderfully. I feel like I get more of the congestion out with that than any other sucker we have used.

http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=298161&amp...

Spoon of Honey with Ginger to coat the throat. I make Soup (from scratch), Chicken soup or split pea.. put garlic and onions in them it helps break up the congestion and boost the immunine system. Humidifier in the room while sleeping.

Good luck, it is no fun with a sick kiddo.

I would urge you to take her to the doctor. At her age, a simple cold can turn into something worse very quickly. My son had that around 6 months and ended up in the ER with docs having to suction all the mucous out of his nose and sinuses to keep him from getting pneumonia.

Liquids: water, soup, Popsicles

Saline nose drops.

Cool mist humidifier at night.

Prop head of crib with thick books to elevate head at night/for naps.

NO meds for kids under 6, sorry.

In my experience taking them to the doc is not the answer unless the chest congestion sounds raspy then there is probably something else going on. does she have a fever, definitely a doc trip. Otherwise, she unfortunately has to suffer and get through it.

What I've done and I've had my doc recommend is saline drops then bulb syringe it out, warm baths, bring them in the bathroom while your taking a hot shower for the steam, humidifier while they're sleeping, my doc recommended elevating one end of the bed so that they have some relief from the build up when they're laying flat (I've never perfected this one and it just made me nervous so I've never tried it with the crib only in a pack n play), and I've tried Vicks vaporub for babies, but they also have natural remedies that I haven't tried before. I absolutely hate/hated it when my little ones had colds it makes you feel so helpless. There is an end and hopefully they won't be sick again for a long time since they have the immunities.

Take her, to, the Pediatrician.
You cannot give her anything, without a proper diagnosis.

Samilisan makes some natural remedies for kids under 6. They work great for my kids. I never give the one for coughs. It surpresses the cough so well that they have major coughing fits as soon as it wears off. Mine do better with the one for mucus/congestion which dries them up a little and lets them use the cough to work out the rest. Humidifier at night and naps is great too. J&J makes a "soothing vapor bath" that smells like menthol. It makes a really nice bubble bath in a steamy bathroom and clears them up for bedtime. I also let my kids have water all night long in a sippy cup. They are well beyond the age to depend on it for sleep, but they like to drink in the night if they wake up, especially if they are coughing and get a scratchy throat. You might also make her some warm water with honey and lemon. It's comforting and can calm a cough.

No need to take her to the doctor. But you could call and ask advice from the advice nurse.

A post from several days ago asked about giving their 11 mos old a cold medication and the doctor/pharmacist said it was OK.

There are at least 2 trains of thought concerning cold medications. One says to never give a child under 6 otc medication. The other says it's OK when authorized by the doctor.

Hi, K.:

Get a vaporizer and put chest rub for babies on her chest with
a warm cloth.

Get some Hyland Vit. C, 5 mg tabs. that melts in the babys mouth.
Give her lots of fluids like pedi lite.
Keep her out of drafts.
Put a little cap on her head.
Good Luck.
D.