Cold Medicine for Children

           When you have a sick young child all you want is, for them to feel better.  That is why over the last year or so…alarms have been raised that giving cold medications to children under the age of two is too risky.

            So, when i caught the morning news that says that they are now recommending that parents do NOT give cold medications to children under the age of SIX; i took notice.

            I have young grandchildren under the age of six.  I plan to call my daughter and let her know about the new report. 

            She is usually pretty well informed…but, it is winter here in michigan.   My grandbabies have alot of allergies that seem to turn into severe colds and infections regularly.  Cold medications often do work…but, obviously they are not worth risking the life of a child. 

           Some of those medications can cause severe problems …often due to life threatening side effects (if i remember right even those such as bleeding in the brain).   It is wise to talk to your family doctor because sometimes what looks like the common cold can be something much more serious!  But, if it is the common cold…experience speaks volumes.

           Going back to the old tried and true methods of all the mothers and grandmothers before us, i have used these non-medical solutions myself for children and adults :): homemade chicken soup…hot/warm teas and juices, multi-vitamins, vaporizers/humidifers, and the trusted brand of Vicks Vapor Rub. 

            If  it was  a young child that i was taking care of; i used to lightly rub the Vicks on their back between their shoulder blades and then on their chest.  Of course, if you have a child with sensitive skin it is wiser to just rub it on the inside of the blanket sleeper between the onesie and the sleeper. 

            Now days, they also make those wonderful Vick’s plug ins that emit the vapor once they are plugged into a wall outlet. Great invention i think, experience combined with new innovation!

             Just make sure that there is always a fire alarm with fresh batteries in any young child’s room when plugging something in while you are sleeping.   That advise is only common sense.

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