Cold Medicine for a 17 Month Old?

D.,

I would suggest getting a saline Nasal Spray like Simply Saline brand Allergy - it's got a higher salt content than the regular and so is more drying. My DD usually tolerates the gentle mist pretty well. At 27 months, she likes to do the spraying herself now, but most of the time she manages well.

Cold meds are not recommended for children under about 6 now.

Does she know how to blow her nose? Work on that skill. You can incline her bed/crib to a 30 degree angle to help with drainage at night.

We also use the mmenthol vapor bath at bedtime when DD is congested with good results.

S.

NO MEDICINE! She's much too young. Green snot IS most definitely icky, but it does NOT necessarily mean there is an infection.
Cool mist humidifier, prop the head of her crib on phone books, push liquids (juice, broth, popsicles..) and steamy air baths.
I don;t think the waterless vaporizer will do much other than make you feel like you're doing something...that's been MY experience anyway.
I would take her to the ped, but if there is no fever, and as long as her ears are clear, it's most likely a cold which will take at least 10 days to pass. Hang in there...I know, it's the WORST!

take her to the drs sounds like an infection when it is green.
god luck

First of all, you need a pediatrician you can talk to on off hours. I've never heard of such a thing. Secondly, I would let it flow all day long to get it out of her system. COld medicines don't work well in younger kids and may have side effects, so don't bother. Try a humidifier and some nasal spray and just wait it out. I think she's better off with that stuff out of her system.

We have 20 month old twin girls who have both had runny little noses for some time now. I, like you, was bothered by the constant flow of green oozing from Miss Morgan's little nose. Our ped said NO to medicine (they are too little). He recommended a vaporizor which I have had running for the last 2 months now. It seems to help. I would also clean our her nose with an aspirator several times a day. At bedtime I also put vicks on their feet and put on socks - this seemed to help them sleep better. But I would get her to her dr as soon as you can. It does sound like an infection, hopefully a mild antibiotic would help. But a lot of times teething is the reason for the running nose. Has she had a green runny nose in the past? If it is reoccuring it could have something to do with her ears and how they drain. I would have her ears checked when she sees the doctor. P.S. I would find a doctor/office that can be reached 24/7. :)

It is amazing how our little ones are such troopers! Best of luck! I hope your little one feels better (and you too) soon.
Katina

Hi D.,
I'm sorry your little one is sick, I know how difficult that can be to her and to you. I found an article that recommended putting Vicks on the bottom of the feet and putting a thick pair of socks over it to stop the coughing. All three of my kids are really really sick right now and I've been doing that at night to help with the cough and it really does work! Try it!
Regarding the green mucus, I would take her to the ped. She could have a bacterial infection or virus that might lead to an ear infection. I wouldn't let it go too long!
God Bless, and Merry Christmas!

She could have an infection so she needs antibiotics. You really can not give a child that young any of the medicines you mentioned. It says on the box four and under do not give. I would put her in a warm bath or shower for the congestion. When she sleeps at night put some baby vapo rub on her feet. What ever liquids you give her make sure they are warm. Be careful with the dairy products if she is congested.She can get more congested and cough more with the dairy because it will thicken the mucous. Give her infant tylenol or motrin. call the pediatrician tommorow. good luck.

D.,
I am a pediatric nurse...NO cold medicines in a child that young are recommended. The labels will not even provide dose information. All cold products were recalled for children under 4 a couple of years ago because of potentially serious side effects. Use saline spray and suction her nose (she'll hate it but it will help...babies r us, target, walmart all carry a battery powered small suction machine that works miracles). Green does not necessarily mean infection either, but you should contact your doctor just in case. I would definetly find another doctor who can be reached in off hours...I'm shocked that yours has no one available! Good luck...lots of rest and fluids and hopefully she'll feel better soon!!

I would not use benadryl or tylenol. I would help her body fight off the cold by keeping her warm and letting her rest. Give her lots of liquids like fresh squeezed orange juice, a spoonfull of lemon and honey, warm chamomile tea. She should start feeling better in a few days.
:)
N

My suggestions would be to do the humidifier thing & saline, etc.

My bigger suggestion would be that you find yourself another pediatrician or else ask them what you're supposed to do if you need medical advice after hours? Mine has a nurse call back, and sometimes they do send you to the Emergency Room. You need someone (medical personnel) from your doctor's office that knows enough when you should go!

I find it unbelievable that you can't have someone get back to you after hours! I would definitely confront them about it. They can give you advice that you need NOW and don't know how to treat. Example: how to properly cool a child with a high fever. You don't want to wait at an emergency room to be told that!

Squawk at them!!

From a Mom's perspective, benadryl only makes my kids sleep worse if they have a cold. My pediatrician doesn't recommend it before 2 unless for allergy, although I have given it for the goop. It didn't work and he was WOUND up. Tylenol is generally considered safe from the get go. Just make sure it's the appropriate dose for her weight. My 16 month old get 3/4 teaspoon of the CHILDRENS formula, not infants. Dr. Sears website has dosing charts, I would look there.

I generally will first try salien(sp) nasel spray/drops(it is used as drops for younger then 2 and as a spray for older then 2) when my son starts getting stuffy, but if he gets very mucousy I will give him a half dose of childrens benyadril.

HOWEVER, benyadril is NOT approved OTC for under 2 years, so I would reccomend to check with your doc or maybe calling urgent care (I checked with my sister who is a ped nurse to get dosing information before giving it to my son).

Nasal spray, warm tea with honey, baths, and sitting in the bathroom with thrvsteam from the shower is what my pedi recommends - no medicine unless Tylenol is also recommended. Green makes it seem like a sinus infection so I'd have her checked soon to rule it out. When my son gets them it's miserable but I prop one side of his crib with books under the legs and it helps his nose drain easier and let's him sleep better! Good luck!

Having had a similar sinus infection over Thanksgiving that lasted two weeks and required a serious antibiotic, I would get in with your ped as soon as you can.

About a year or so ago, Vicks was in the headlines in regard to the fact that menthol can trigger the body to create mucus, which is exactly what you do not want to happen right now, and can be dangerous. So the Vicks might be aggravating her cough. You might want to try just plain water in her vaporizer and see if that helps.

Also, they do not recommend children's cold medicine at this age, but benedryl could work. But again, you need to speak to her doc about dosage.

Saline in the nose is really helpful, albeit uncomfortable while doing it.

Hang in there!

C.

Hi, D.:

Call your ped doc tomorrow. Green snot sounds like infection.

Good luck. D.

D.
I wouldnt wait to get her to the Dr's that is an infection that needs treated until then the only thing I use is Motrin for fever and pain. Tylenol never really worked for us. Warm baths and warm drinks.

If they cant take her then go to the emergency room for treatment.......

S.