The American Academy of Pediatrics recently began to recommend AGAINST giving children under the age of 6 OTC cold medicines.   They say these cold medicines do not work and can cause side effects or injury to children.   The AAP also commented on the confusing nature of the products and the possibility that parents, even those that carefully read dosing instructions, could accidentally give their children too much of an ingredient by  combining products.   Finally, although we all want to help our kids feel better, it is proven that these remedies do not cure the common cold, they treat the symptoms, and often have side effects that outweigh the benefits (hyperactivity, fatigue, racing heart beats, etc).  The AAP offers advice on home remedies that can help.  They suggest that we:

BAGD and I have always believed in under-medicating the kids.  We don’t treat every fever or runny nose.  We keep our eye on things, but we try not to jump off the deep end.   Its Ok to have a fever, it means your body is fighting an infection .  Its OK to have a runny nose.  Its OK to cough.  Last winter, we did use OTC cough and cold medicines, sparingly.  This year, we won’t be doing so, until we can talk to our doctor about what is safe and what is recommended.   We expect her to say that we can give the kids something to dry up the runny noses, if needed.  Our big kids are not prone to ear infections and are getting old enough tp where this is not a huge concern, but we want to make sure we keep on top of it, so a runny nose does not lead to fluid in the ear.  With Giggles, its a different story.  She is so young.  I expect that we will be told to keep her off of medicine this winter, but that next winter its OK.   Bottom line is that even if you use OTC cold medicines, you have to watch out for symptoms or conditions that require a Doctor’s attention.  If we do that, we will be OK, whether we give OTC meds or not.

Until we can talk to our doctor, we like the following ways of alleviating a child’s cold symptoms:

• Vicks VapoRub, also available for babies
• a cool mist humidiier
• Little Noses Saline drops
• the good-old snot sucker bulb
• Sudacare Nighttime Vapor Plug in (like a Vicks VapoRub air freshener)
• lots of water
• cool baths to bring a low temperature down
• tummytime to help an infant blow the boogers out
• Popsicles for a sore throat
• Extra naps, extra TV time and a “Whine if you need to” punchcard.