Kids' Cold Care and Comfort
If it seems like your child gets a lot of colds, you're not imagining things.
The common cold—which is caused by any one of over 200 viruses—infects kids much more frequently than adults. That's partly because adults' immune systems have been exposed to many more of those 200 cold viruses than our kids' have. And partly because, frankly, kids are less likely to cover their mouths and noses when coughing or sneezing and don't wash their hands as frequently or as thoroughly, so kids tend to pick up and spread more germs.
So, with the knowledge that there are likely more colds coming your kids' way, help ensure you're ready with these cold-care tips.
Rest Is Best
Your child's body needs its strength to fight off a cold virus, so make sure kids get plenty of sleep, or at least lots of quiet time in bed or on the couch. If your child becomes restless, keep her occupied with books, coloring pages, music, or a favorite movie or DVD.
Your child's body needs its strength to fight off a cold virus, so make sure kids get plenty of sleep, or at least lots of quiet time in bed or on the couch. If your child becomes restless, keep her occupied with books, coloring pages, music, or a favorite movie or DVD.
Feed a Cold and a Fever
The old adage is partially right. Experts agree you should keep your kids well nourished while they have a cold. But don't try to "starve a fever"! The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) suggests offering your kids frequent small meals and snacks to help them keep up their strength—even though your child may not have much of an appetite while she's sick with a cold.
The old adage is partially right. Experts agree you should keep your kids well nourished while they have a cold. But don't try to "starve a fever"! The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) suggests offering your kids frequent small meals and snacks to help them keep up their strength—even though your child may not have much of an appetite while she's sick with a cold.
Keep the Fluids Flowing
Doctors typically recommend serving up plenty of fluids when kids are sick with a cold. Part of the reason, the AAP points out, is that when children's noses are stuffy, they breathe through their mouths, causing their mouths and their throats to get dry, which is uncomfortable and speeds dehydration. The American Lung Association suggests "Eight glasses of water and/or juice per day. ... This will help keep the lining of the nose and throat from drying out, so that mucus remains moist and easy to clear from the nose." A cool-mist humidifier placed in the child's room during a bout with a cold will also help keep your kid's sinuses moist.
Doctors typically recommend serving up plenty of fluids when kids are sick with a cold. Part of the reason, the AAP points out, is that when children's noses are stuffy, they breathe through their mouths, causing their mouths and their throats to get dry, which is uncomfortable and speeds dehydration. The American Lung Association suggests "Eight glasses of water and/or juice per day. ... This will help keep the lining of the nose and throat from drying out, so that mucus remains moist and easy to clear from the nose." A cool-mist humidifier placed in the child's room during a bout with a cold will also help keep your kid's sinuses moist.
Old standbys like orange juice and chicken soup are also good choices for hydration. Although there are conflicting reports about whether vitamin C helps, a tall glass of OJ can't hurt. Chicken soup—Grandma's favorite remedy—has also been studied and does seem to help relieve cold and flu symptoms, as the Mayo Clinic reports, by acting as an anti-inflammatory and by relieving the congestion brought on by a cold.
If your kid is fed up with fluids, try popsicles, which help soothe sore throats.
Fighting that Feverish Feeling
Kids with colds may experience a low-grade fever of 102°F or less. That's an indication that the body is fighting the cold virus. Unfortunately, it's often accompanied by an achy, uncomfortable feeling that can make your kid cranky. Experts disagree on when parents should reach for the ibuprofen or acetaminophen to treat those symptoms, so it's worth checking with your child's doctor if you're unsure. The Mayo Clinic suggests parents "be especially careful when giving acetaminophen to children because the dosing guidelines can be confusing."
Kids with colds may experience a low-grade fever of 102°F or less. That's an indication that the body is fighting the cold virus. Unfortunately, it's often accompanied by an achy, uncomfortable feeling that can make your kid cranky. Experts disagree on when parents should reach for the ibuprofen or acetaminophen to treat those symptoms, so it's worth checking with your child's doctor if you're unsure. The Mayo Clinic suggests parents "be especially careful when giving acetaminophen to children because the dosing guidelines can be confusing."
(Important note: Health organizations such as the American Lung Association, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and AAP all warn parents not to give aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) to children with a cold, flu or chicken pox as it can lead to Reye's syndrome, a potentially deadly condition.)
Hold the Cough Medicine
Recently an FDA advisory committee recommended that over-the-counter cough medicines not be used for kids under 6 years old. And the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) does not recommend the use of over-the-counter cough medicines in children under age 15. The reason they cite is that these medicines haven't been sufficiently proven to be effective and that the potential benefits are outweighed by possible side effects and by the risk of accidental overdosing.
Recently an FDA advisory committee recommended that over-the-counter cough medicines not be used for kids under 6 years old. And the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) does not recommend the use of over-the-counter cough medicines in children under age 15. The reason they cite is that these medicines haven't been sufficiently proven to be effective and that the potential benefits are outweighed by possible side effects and by the risk of accidental overdosing.
Call the Doctor
Of course, parents should call their child's pediatrician whenever they have concerns, but the AAP specifically advises parents to call the pediatrician if their child starts to have difficulty breathing, develops an earache or if a child's sore throat worsens. In addition, the Mayo Clinic also recommends calling the doctor if your child exhibits any of the following:
Of course, parents should call their child's pediatrician whenever they have concerns, but the AAP specifically advises parents to call the pediatrician if their child starts to have difficulty breathing, develops an earache or if a child's sore throat worsens. In addition, the Mayo Clinic also recommends calling the doctor if your child exhibits any of the following:
Got a sick kid at home? Check out Nick Jr.'s Sick Day Activities to help kids beat the feelin'-yucky blues.
Important Disclaimer: This information is not meant as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always consult a doctor with questions about your or your child's condition. NickJr.com does not recommend or endorse specific tests, products, procedures, opinions or other information provided by any sponsors or other third parties. Please also see Terms of Use.
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