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We don't want our little snuffle bugs to suffer any more than they have to, as jacobsmommy78 mentions in her Toddler Moms group post (application required). So many of us reach for an over-the-counter children's cold medicine. You probably even have a bottle or two left over from last season, indicating the exact dosage for your 1 to 4 year old ...
Wait! Before you pour, consider this latest news.
The labels on kids cold medicines will soon read "do not use in children under 4." Huh? What happened?
Well, doctors and pediatricians have said for years that children's cold medicines don't really work. Now, drug makers are finally giving in and changing the labels to discourage parents from using them in young kids. And if they're not in the house, there's less chance a toddler will sneak a slug or two when Mom or Dad isn't looking.
Cold medicines are generally safe to give your child when used as directed--but that's mainly the problem. Parents can inadvertently give too much, or the ingredients can react with other medicines.
By all means, you should still give your child Tylenol and Motrin, as directed by your doctor, for fevers and general aches and pains. But to loosen mucous and ease the runny nose, scratchy throat, and coughing, Dr. Richard Groman, chairman of the section on pharmacology and therapeutics for the American Academy of Pediatrics, swears by his grandmother's homespun recipe:
1. Warm food. Spaghetti, hot chocolate, chicken soup. "Any food that gets your nose into the plate," he says.
2. A humidifier or vaporizer while they sleep.
3. A bedtime story in a steamy bathroom (run the shower).
4. Saline nose drops. You can buy Ocean drops, or your pediatrician can give you a recipe to make your own.
Comments (9)
I really don't know how to feel about the studies on toddlers and cold meds. They helped my symptoms when I was young so I don't totally agree with not giving them. I also understand the concern with medication interaction, you have to watch that with herbal meds also. I use a mix of store bought and herbal, for myself and the children.
The thing we should all remember is, we are only treating symptoms not curing the common cold. We are simply easing the discomfort until the cold or what ever it is has run its course. Old remedies work well also (although they can be smelly or gross to look at).
Thanks for the update. How did I miss this in the news. Wow.
You know, I'm very anti-medicating, but when my toddler is practically drowning in her sleep from mucus, 'warm food' and a humidifier do nothing and adding MORE liquid to the equation isn't going to do anything, either. Maybe they're just trying to discourage use with stuffy noses, but nursing takes care of those just fine. Stuffy CHESTS on the other hand... (Dh heard this at his work when it was first released and told me then)
The only thing that ever really worked for us was to elevate the pillow side of my sons bed and run the vaporizer. It's so much better these days with the pads instead of the water and and gooey mess we had as kids. I almost alway managed to burn myself in the steam. I will admit though that a good decongestant is nice to have on hand for night time coughing.
I was just at the drs the other day for a lingering coup infection that had turned into a cold. He told me about this, and then informed me they may even be upping the age to 8yo!!! I was baffled. My dr even seemed like that was getting a little extreme. can understand under 2, but 8? Wow
Strange , I heard about this but when my little one got a horrible cough and cold,
I did call the pediatrician, and to my surprise, he did suggest an over the counter cough medication, by the time we went to the store although the pharmacist did tell us that they pulled all infant medication off the shelf for the *cough and cold*
So i bought little remedies, snuffy nose saline which works good, and of course, i did at home remedies and she was better within a couple of days
I think that main thing is toddler being given 'wrong' dosage. Must consider
height and weight. When I worked at hsptl b4 daughter born, there were
wrong dosages given and even at wrong med? Thankfully only happend
once.....I only given daughter any med that would treat the problem.
Since they make meds to taste like candy, must be careful. There's
only certain meds would even look at. If a fever, why is it elevated?
if teeth, child Motrin kicks it.
Wow, I had heard this, but my children are very spread apart 17, 12 and 2, and I used them with the two older ones and they are honor students, the only meds I use on my 2 year old are childrens tylenol or mortrin and Delsum for her cough, and I only do this because her coughing can be so totally extreme she will vomit, or not sleep at all, even when I try sitting her up in my arms. Things changs sooo much between kids, I was terrified to do immunizations with the 2 year old and oh lord I couldn't believe how many more they have now days. I felt like a first time mom all over again, I still do sometimes.
Has anyone heard of this giving tylonal too often to ur infant can cause their stomach to bleed? I am confused.....now I am scared to even use it and what if I am harming him. He has been having dark poop and runny sorry but I am just worried. Just wondered if anyone had any idea!