Sit with your child. Read your child a book. Sing to your child. Hold your child’s hand. Hold your baby in your arms.
You can also give your child an extra pillow or use a wedge pillow to help your child stay upright.
Make sure to change the water in your humidifier frequently. Wash the humidifier according to the manufacturer’s instructions to prevent mold from growing in it.
For example, if your child is complaining that he or she is too cold, then turn up the heat a bit. If your child complains that he or she is hot, then turn on an air conditioner or fan.
Water Ice pops Ginger ale Diluted fruit juice Electrolyte-enhanced beverages
Salty crackers Bananas Applesauce Toast[7] X Trustworthy Source FamilyDoctor. org Family-focused medical advice site run by the American Academy of Family Doctors Go to source Cooked cereals Mashed potatoes
Do not give ibuprofen to a child under 6 months old. [11] X Research source Do not give cough and cold medicines to a child under 4 years old, and preferably not until at least 8 years old. These medicines have the potential to cause life-threatening side effects and have not been shown to be very effective either. [12] X Research source Do not give infants, children, or teenagers acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) because this can cause a rare but serious illness called Reye’s syndrome. [13] X Research source
For younger children or for nasal congestion, you can also use salt water (saline) nasal drops or sprays. You can make a saline spray yourself or buy some at the pharmacy. For infants, you can use a bulb syringe to suction the nose after using the drops. [15] X Research source
High fever and/or chills Cough Sore throat Runny nose Body or muscle aches Headache Tiredness and/or weakness Diarrhea and/or vomiting
Fever in a child under three months old Severe headache or a stiff neck Changes in breathing patterns, especially any trouble breathing Changes in skin color, such as looking very pale, reddish, or bluish Child refuses to drink fluids or stops urinating No tears when crying Severe or persistent vomiting Child is difficult to wake up or is unresponsive Child is unusually quiet and inactive Signs of extreme irritability or pain Pain or pressure in the chest or stomach Sudden or prolonged dizziness Confusion Flu-like symptoms improve but then get worse[21] X Trustworthy Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services Go to source
You can also call your doctor’s office, as there is almost always someone available to help you decide what to do and to provide home care advice.
