Hellobee Boards

For a runny nose, have you tried having LO sit in the bathroom with a hot shower running? I know it softens up stuff and makes it easier to use the aspirator on LO. I've also had SO "steam" himself when he's really congested. It helps!

Saline spray
Elevated bed
Extra hand washing
Long warm baths
Bulb suction

Baby vicks on the feet, under socks, and/or on their chest and/or on a kerchief around their neck helped my kids last time they were sick. Garlic on the feet works too.

Hylands makes homeopathic tiny cold tabs that we have in the cabinet for next time they get sick.

We tried the sock trick but I didn't notice any change.

We use eucalyptus oil in the steam showers & vaporizer, along with having some simmer in a pot on the burner, occasionally I put 1 drop in the corner of her crib if her congestion got really bad, and I've even put a few drops on a baby wash cloth and tied it to the side of her carseat if we had to go out.

For her cough that was nagging for THREE weeks, we started putting 2 drops of Lavender oil in her bath... cough was gone in just a few days. (It's a natural expectorant). It helped relax her and she slept better too.

Of course using essential oils isn't for everyone, but after talking with some other natural moms & scouring the internet I felt these 2 would be fine. Peppermint oil is good for things like fevers but not recommended for little ones.

@regberadaisy: I think you can use baby Vicks on their chest, but not regular. Baby Vicks doesn't contain any menthol.

@regberadaisy: yep, they both got really bad colds around 4 months. baby vicks is a different formula, and as weagle said, is safe for babies 3 months +. it has a pink lid instead of green.

my friend also swears by doterra essential oils. they make one called on-guard that's an immune booster. it's expensive, but really nice, i have a few samples. you can rub it on their feet, rub it on your chest so they breathe it in while nursing, etc. and as runsyellowlights said, you can get individual oils and use those too.

there are also naturopaths, at least in my area, that specialize in kids health. if it becomes a really nagging issue, it might be worth a consult visit, just to work through some suggestions they might have.