Out In The Cold

Then God said, "I've given you every sort of seed-bearing plant on Earth And every kind of fruit-bearing tree, given them to you for food. To all animals and all birds, everything that moves and breathes, I give whatever grows out of the ground for food.” And there it was. - Genesis 1:29-30

You’ve no doubt heard the news this week that pharmaceutical companies are now acknowledging what pediatricians have said for years—cold medicines don’t work in young kids. The unnerving part is that they are also admitting that some remedies may even be harmful.

Reports seem to differ, but the information I most consistently find warns not about individual medicines given at recommended doses, but rather the risk of accidental overdose when giving different medicines that contain the same ingredients.

The other area where I find different recommendations is on the age at which children need alternative therapies. Most of the reports say to avoid over the counter cold medicines for kids ages four and under, but some suggest protecting kids under the age of six.

If you have identified a cold remedy that actually works for your child and she tolerates it well, I’d stock up now because it probably won’t be on the shelf for long. The stores in my area dropped most children’s cold products, with the exception of a few syrups, last year when pediatricians publicly spoke out against these treatments.

So without over the counter medicines, what can we moms do to comfort our littlest patients? I have had luck soothing sore throats and coughing with popsicles (avoid the cream-style type if your child has a lot of phlegm or mucus). Citrus flavors seem to cut through that yucky cottonmouth sensation the best. Try for varieties made from natural juices without added sugar.

Diluted or weak tea also feels good on sore throats. When I make my pot of tea in the morning, I pour a little in the mug of whoever is sick and fill the rest with cool water. This brings it down to a drinkable temperature and also cuts the caffeine to a kid-friendly level.

Grandmas, doctors, and patients everywhere agree that chicken soup truly is one of the best treatments for a cold. There is actual scientific proof to support this as well.

If your child is old enough not to choke on it, a natural, non-medicated throat lozenge can help control a cough.

When noses start running, a little Vaseline rubbed into the skin just inside each nostril can help prevent (or soothe) irritating chapping. When my kids were babies I used Little Noses brand non-medicated gel for this, but now they prefer old-fashioned Vaseline.

Tummies full of drainage are settled by toast and ginger ale or 7-Up. I try to avoid Sprite because it is a little on the sweet side and can further upset an unhappy tummy.

As in most things, I find our faithful God provides the main things we need to stay healthy and recover when we do get a cold. Our bodies use whole, unprocessed foods better than any other kind. If it looks like something Adam and Eve would have found in the garden (like an apple or a stalk of broccoli) than it probably is good at helping your body stay healthy. If it looks like a box (say of cake mix) then you are better off leaving it on the grocery store shelf this cold season. If it comes in a package and you recognize all of the ingredients as real foods, then enjoy it. If you have to sound out anything on the label, don’t add it to your cart. I really don’t even like foods with added vitamins—real, whole foods already have naturally occurring vitamins so I don’t want synthetic ones added in.

You undoubtedly have some home remedies of your own for fighting cold symptoms. Share what works for your kids. Here’s to staying healthy!