Children and Cough Medicine
October 11, 2008 by Mary
Filed under Mom's Health & Wellness
Moms everywhere have heard the warnings about the use of cough medicine in children under six. The FDA has acknowledged the fact that pediatricians see no benefit its use in young children and that countless ER visits in relation to children and cough meds have been documented; however, there is still no official ban on these over-the-counter cough medicines formulated for young children.
With the cold and flu season right around the corner, many parents may be wondering what to do for their sniffling, hacking little ones. Here are some suggestions.
- Use a cool mist humidifier in the child’s room to lessen dry, hacking coughs.
- For a barking cough, sitting in a steamy bathroom can ease symptoms.
- A warm bath can be effective.
- Cold beverages can soothe a sore throat – avoid carbonated drinks and citrus juices.
- Give children older than one a half teaspoon of honey before bed.
See your pediatrician if the cough persists for more than a week or is worrisome. If you do choose to administer OTC cold medicine, avoid antihistamines that make children sleepy and always follow the dosage instructions on the label. Do not give over-the-counter cold and cough medicines to children under the age of two.
It’s tough to see your child so miserable. But the dangers to young children do exist when using over-the-counter drugs for cold symptoms, and their effectiveness has yet to be proven. Using these tried and true methods, in combination with some love from mommy, will ensure the safety of your child and lessen the discomfort associated with the common cold.
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