7 Home Remedies That Cure Your Baby's Cough without Any Medicine
With the change in the seasons, babies and young children become prone to viral fever, cough, and cold. It is something pretty common and inevitable because the young ones have a lower immune system than adults. Medicines prescribed by physicians can provide immediate relief but are harmful in the long run. Our Indian kitchen is filled with medical wonders which are natural and can provide relief to the little ones from a cough and cold with a few nifty concoctions.
Here are seven home remedies that can cure your baby's cold and cough:
Mustard Oil Massage
Warming up mustard oil with garlic and ajwain (carom seeds) or garlic, and massaging the baby can relieve chest and throat congestion with their antibacterial and anti-viral properties.
HOW: Mix mustard oil with garlic and ajwain, warm it up moderately and massage your baby's chest, back and neck area. Also, cover the baby's palm and feet with the oil for a instantaneous relief.
AGE GROUP: However, massages primarily work best for children who are below two years of age.
Carom Leaves (Ajwain) and Garlic
HOW: Warm up garlic cloves and ajwain and tie them together in a muslin cloth. The fumes emitted from this pouch will help ease congestion, as both the ingredients have antiviral properties and mixed together induce excellent results in diminishing chest and cough related issues.
AGE GROUP: This is best suited for babies of 6 months of age and above
Salt Water
Nasal saline drops, made with salt and water, is an efficient way of clearing blocked nose and nasal congestion in newborns.
HOW: It can be prepared at home or bought over the counter, and can be used as a nasal drops or spray. Gargling with salt water can help provide relief to the aching throat.
AGE GROUP: Saline spray can be used for Newborn+.
Turmeric (Haldi) Milk
Turmeric can treat a cough and cold with its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties which can help soothe the throat.
HOW: Warm up milk and add a pinch of turmeric to it and let it come down to the room temperature, before feeding it to your child. The humble turmeric will not only soothe the throat but will bring your child back to health in no time!
AGE GROUP: 1 year and above.
Ginger (Adrakh)
Ginger can be beneficial in treating cough with its property to boost blood circulation. Ginger is largely effective in treating cough, helps increase the blood circulation and delivers warmth and comfort to the baby’s body.
HOW: Ginger paste mixed with 1 tsp honey can soothe a sore throat
AGE GROUP: Best for a baby of over 12 months. Honey should not be given to children below 1 year of age.
Lemon and Honey
Lemon is an abundant source of vitamin C, along with antiseptic and antibacterial properties and is great for developing immunity in kids. Honey soothes the inflamed throat and provides relief from a cough easily.
HOW: Combining 1 teaspoon lemon juice and few drops of honey mixed in a glass of warm water should be fed to your child periodically.
AGE GROUP: Be cautious of not giving this remedy to babies younger than 1 year as honey can cause botulism in babies younger than a year
Eucalyptus Oil
Eucalyptus oil is known to have several medicinal properties and is an important ingredient for pain relieving balms; helps clear chest congestion and relieve a blocked nose.
HOW: Use a drop or two in the bath water or putting it in a muslin cloth near the baby.
AGE GROUP: Babies older than 12 months can benefit from the properties of eucalyptus oil
Don’t let the doctor be the first call, and try these homemade remedies first. This will help in building up the baby's immunity and encourage the body to fight the cold naturally. However, if your baby does not seem to recover, even after trying these homemade remedies, then it may be a serious problem and might definitely need a doctor’s intervention and treatment.