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Foods to offer during cold & cough in Babies, Toddlers and Kids

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Foods to offer during Cold & Cough in Kids | Home Remedies

Many parents are worried about what to feed during a cold and cough in kids as children lack appetite during this phase. But a wholesome small meal and an easily digestible diet are recommended to fight the infection and recover well. Talk to your baby's doctor about these food options and plan a diet, also follow your baby's cues and feed your baby, which helps you quickly recover from this phase. Let's check the foods and recipes that can be given during a cold, cough, and fever.

Please bookmark this page for future reference, as I will update this post regularly. Click on each thumbnail image given below for the recipes. Choose recipes according to your baby's age mentioned in the brackets and the recipe heading. Please refer to the notes section at the end of the post for the key points to remember before offering these foods to your baby during a cold, cough, and fever.

Please read here on home remedies for cold and cough and more information on colds in children and when to see a doctor.

How to feed your baby or toddler when he has a cold and cough?

  • Only breastfeeding or formula feeding is recommended for babies younger than six months during cold, cough, and fever.
  • For babies above six months, Give small and frequent meals. I prefer easily digestible foods, no oily & spicy foods.
  • Don't force the baby to eat. Instead, try to offer the foods he/she prefers.
  • Ensure to give enough fluids like water, warm soups, and fresh fruit juices (made with lukewarm water) to prevent the baby from dehydration.
  • Give your toddler ORS (Oral Rehydration Solution) if your pediatrician prescribed the same.

Foods to offer during cold & cough in babies, toddlers, and Kids:

Here is the video for the list of foods to offer during cold and cough in babies and kids
 
Read further below for detailed information and recipes of the foods to feed during cold and cough in children.

Drinks or Beverages to offer during cold & cough

1. Breastfeeding (0 Months+) :

Home remedies and foods to to offer during cold, cough and fever

Breastfeeding is much recommended when the baby is sick, as antibodies in breast milk help fight the baby's illness and are easily digested. It's essential when your baby is less than six months.

If the baby has a runny nose and is congested, breastfeeding the baby is a little tricky. Hence feed the baby in an upright position & try using saline drops (after consulting with the doctor) to clear out a runny nose before breastfeeding. That might help the baby to take the feed.

2. Barley Water (6 Months+):

Barley water is a world-known remedy for colds, coughs, and fevers. But be sure to feed your baby with barley water in moderation and ensure your family has no history of allergy to gluten. Make barley water thick by adding less water and feed warm when your baby is down with a cold or fever. Check out barley water recipe here:
Barley water for baby

3. Rice Gruel (6 Months+):

Rice gruel/Rice water/Watery rice soup is another common home remedy for treating colds and fever, as it helps to boost the immune system. It's also a natural energy drink for the child fighting the infection. Check out the rice gruel recipe here:
Watery Rice Gruel for Babies

4. Turmeric Milk with pepper & palm candy (1 year +):

Turmeric and pepper are the best natural antibiotics that help eliminate colds, dry coughs, and throat infections. Avoid any or this turmeric milk if your child is taking antibiotics and the doctor advised the same. Check out the preparation of Turmeric milk recipe here with the detailed steps.
Turmeric Milk Recipe for Babies

5. Dry ginger coffee or chukku kappi (2 years +):

This dry ginger coffee is a grandma's home remedy for colds, nasal congestion, and sore throat. It always works great and gives instant relief. Add basil leaves to this dry ginger coffee for added benefits to treat colds and coughs. Check out the preparation of dry ginger coffee recipe here with the detailed steps.
Dry Ginger Coffee Recipe for Babies

6. Besan Sheera (10 Months +):

Besan is a traditional Punjabis remedy for cold and cough; it's taken as sheera/halwa at night before bed.  Check out the detailed recipe for besan sheera with step by step pictures here.

Besan Ka Sheera for baby

Soups to offer during cold & cough

7. Vegetable Clear Soup (8 Months+):

The body quickly absorbs vegetable clear soups. Hence it is best to offer it during the cold. Make it a clear soup with spices like pepper & cumin seeds during the cold. Check out vegetables soup recipe here:
Mixed Vegetable Soup for Babies

8. Chicken Clear Soup (9 Months+):

Chicken clear soup is the best remedy for a cold. That can clear a stuffy nose and gives instant relief from cold symptoms. When taken warm, it soothes a throat and makes the child comfortable. It also helps to relieve congestion. Check out the preparation of chicken soup recipe here with detailed steps.

Healthy Soup Recipes for Babies, Toddlers and Kids

9. Vegetables Dal Soup (7 Months+):

Vegetable Dal soup is an easily digestible, mild, filling soup you can offer your baby during a cold and fever. Check out dal soup recipe here: 
Veg Dal Soup for Babies
 

10. Mutton bone clear Soup/lamb trotter soup (9 Months+):

Mutton bone clear soup is also one of the comforting recipes you could offer during an episode of cold, cough, and fever. Check out the preparation method for mutton soup here with detailed steps.

Healthy Soup Recipes for Babies, Toddlers and Kids

11. Apple & Carrot Soup (6 Months+):

Apple and carrots are rich in antioxidants which would be the right choice during colds. Make a warm soup with apples & carrots and sprinkle pepper powder when your baby is down with a cold. Serve your baby warm. Check out apple and carrot soup recipe here: 
Apple Carrot Soup for Baby

12. Tomato Soup (8 months +):

Tomato soup is an excellent home remedy for colds, as it is loaded with vitamin C and always works like a charm. Also, it tastes yummy! You can offer this tomato soup as such or mix it with the mashed rice and feed your baby.
Tomato Soup for Babies

13. Mushroom Soup (1 year +): 

Mushrooms are excellent immune system boosters and help prevent infections. Hence mushroom soups are apt during colds and coughs. You can avoid cream in this mushroom soup when offered during episodes of cold and cough. Check out the preparation of mushroom soup recipe here with detailed steps.

Healthy Soup Recipes for Babies, Toddlers and Kids

Fruits and Vegetables to offer during cold & cough

14. Stewed Apple (6 Months+):

Stewed apples or applesauce is an ideal food to offer during fever as it's easily digestible. It also helps to keep the baby hydrated. Check out Stewed apple recipe here:
Apple Sauce for baby

15. Steamed Mashed Nendran Bananas (6 Months+):

Like apples, steamed nendran/ Kerala bananas are also easily digestible, so it's ideal for offering during cold or fever. Check out Nendran banana mash recipe here: 
Nendran banana puree for babies

16. Pomegranate Juice  (6 Months+):

Antioxidants in Pomegranate fruit help to fight the cold. Give pomegranate juice with a little pepper powder & dry ginger powder for best results during a cold and cough. Check out Pomegranate Juice here:
Pomegranate Juice

17. Mashed white Potatoes (8 Months+):

Mashed potatoes are another comforting and filling food to prefer during a cold, cough, and fever. Check out boiled, mashed white potatoes recipe here:

Mashed Potatoes for Babies

18. Sweet Potatoes (6 Months +):

Sweet potatoes are packed with immune-boosting nutrients that help the body to produce white blood cells. Give steamed, mashed/pureed sweet potatoes or give them as porridge to your kid during this period.
Below are the recipes for sweet potato mash and porridge recipes.

Sweet Potato Puree for Babies, Toddlers and KidsCheck out Sweet Potato Puree recipe here

Sweet Potato Poha Porridge for Babies, Toddlers and KidsCheck out Sweet Potato Poha Porridge recipe here

19. Broccoli (8 Months +):

Broccoli is sure the best choice during a cold and cough as it has antioxidant compounds to help fight disease. It also stimulates the body's immune system. Give steamed broccoli or as puree or soup. Below are the recipes for broccoli soup and broccoli potato mash

Broccoli Soup Recipes for Babies, Toddlers and KidsCheck out Broccoli Soup recipe here (Avoid cheese/cream while preparing for a sick child)

Broccoli Puree for Babies, Toddlers and KidsCheck out Broccoli Potato Puree recipe here

20. Carrots  (6 Months+):

Carrots help boost the immune system's defensive power against viruses and bacteria that fight diseases by destroying microbes. Choose steamed, mashed carrots or carrot soup for best results. Below are the recipes for carrot soup and carrot puree

Carrot puree Recipes for Babies, Toddlers and KidsCheck out carrot soup recipe here

Carrot Puree for Babies, Toddlers and KidsCheck out Carrot Puree recipe here

21. citrus fruits (10 Months +):

Citrus fruits protect the body from cell damage and boost the immune system. It also helps to relieve congestion and keep the mucus thin. Make fresh juice with lemon or orange with lukewarm water & serve or add lemon juice to warm water and serve with honey(for babies below one year, avoid honey). Below are the recipes for lemon juice and orange juice below:

Lemon Juice for Babies, Toddlers and KidsCheck out Lemon Juice recipe here

Orange Juice for Babies, Toddlers and KidsCheck out Orange Juice recipe here

22. Vitamin C-rich fruits and vegetables:


Vitamin C for babies, toddlers amd kids

Vitamin C-rich foods help to increase the production of antibodies and white blood cells, which helps to fight the infection. It does not only help to get rid of the cold but also helps in preventing it.

Serving suggestions:

  • Offer fruits as a puree, cut fruits, make juice with lukewarm water, or smoothie with coconut milk.
  • Offer vegetables as steamed or mashed

Fruits that are rich in Vitamin C:

Vegetables that are rich in Vitamin C:

  • White potatoes
  • Sweet potatoes
  • Broccoli
  • Cauliflower
  • Cabbage
  • Turnips
  • Bell peppers
  • Tomatoes
  • Green peas

Wholesome & Filling Foods to offer during cold & cough

23. Moong dal Khichdi (7 Months+):

Moong dal khichdi is a filling and soothing food that makes your baby or toddler feel better during a cold or fever. It's a light and healthy meal option when the little one is down with a cold. Check out moong dal khichdi recipe here
Moong Dal khichadi for babies

24. Curd Rice (8 Months+):

Curd rice seasoned with cumin seeds and chopped ginger is the best food to offer when the baby is sick. Make sure the curd is at room temperature, not sour or chilled. Check out curd rice recipe here ( make it without milk for easier digestion)
 

25. Oatmeal Porridge (8 Months+):

Oatmeal porridge is a soft and easily digestible food for kids with colds and fevers. Also, it's very easy to swallow when the child has a sore throat. Check out oatmeal porridge recipe here (you could make it without milk for a lighter version)

oats porridge for babies
 

26. Dalia Porridge (8 Months+):

Dalia porridge is another soft food you could prefer feeding your baby when he is sick. It's easy to swallow and coat a painful throat while providing nutrition. Check out dalia porridge/ broken wheat porridge recipe here (make it without milk for easier digestion)

Dalia Porridge for babies

27. Sabudhana (7 Months+):

Sabudhana or sago is full of scratch and great for a quick energy boost. Hence it's considered the best food to consume when the baby is sick. It's very easy to digest. You could serve sabudhana Khichdi with some vegetables or make sabudhana kheer without milk and nuts, cook sabudhana pearls in water and make it as a porridge, offer as such, or you can strain and feed the water alone. Check out the sabudana recipes mentioned above here.

Sabudana Khichdi for baby

Sabudhana Kheer for Babies28. Idli or Steamed Dosa (8 Months+):

Idli or steamed dosa is an easily digestible and soft food you can prefer as a breakfast/dinner during a cold or fever. Serve with curd or plain dhal. Check out Idli and steamed dosa recipe here:
Idli dosa batter using mixie
Steamed Dosa for Babies

29. Idiyappam (8 Months+):

Idiyappam or rice noodles is another easily digestible breakfast or dinner option as it's made with rice and steamed. Serve it plain or with lemon juice. Check out Idiyappam recipe here:

Idiyappam for Babies

30. Rice Porridge (6 Months+):

Rice porridge is one of the easily digestible and soft foods which provides loads of energy to the body and makes the recovery process quick. Check out the rice porridge recipe here:

Rice Porridge for Babies31. Poha with warm milk ( 1 year +):

Poha is another easily digestible food you could opt for during a cold or fever. Check out poha recipe here: (make it without nuts)

Sweet Poha for Babies32. Suji Upma (8 Months+):

Suji upma is filling and easily digestible food for a child who is sick. I prefer this as breakfast or dinner. Check out suji upma recipe here: (make it without nuts and less ghee):
Vegetable Suji Upma for baby

 

Foods to avoid during cold and cough:

  • Avoid citrus fruits if your child has a sore throat.
  • Avoid milk if your baby is on antibiotics and the doctor advised the same.
  • Sweetened drinks or carbonated drinks like soda
  • Tamarind
  • Dry fruits and nuts
  • Refined Sugar
  • Sweets
  • Spicy and oily foods

Also, Check out the below links for 6 - 11 months of Homemade Baby food recipes

We will update this post with new recipes for colds and coughs regularly. Please be updated by liking my facebook page GKFoodDiary or following me through Google+, Twitter & Pintrest!

Important Note: 

  • The information provided here is guidelines and doesn't replace medical advice.
  • Kindly seek doctors to help if symptoms persist.
  • Consult your doctor as soon as possible if your baby's cough is wheezy and has an ear infection.
  • Check with your doctor immediately if your baby is dehydrated, as dehydration leads to dangerous effects. A doctor may help you determine and treat the problem's cause.
  • Make sure you have introduced each food separately and checked for allergies.
  • Avoid honey, milk, salt, or sugar for babies below one year.
  • Always check with your pediatrician before including any food in your baby's diet.
UPDATE:
This post was originally published in December 2015 and has been completely updated with respective recipes for more accuracy and comprehensiveness.
Photo Credit:
www.freedigitalphotos.net

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  1. Hi Kalyani, Thanks for the above list. But generally dr ask to avoid fruits like Apple, Banana if baby is having cold or cough. Not sure but they might create cough.

  2. steamed apples & steamed Nendran kerala bananas are fine to include during cough & cold.

  3. Thanks for your valuable reply. Actually, My son is 18 Months old. He is not eating anything (very less in whole day, either at afternoon or evening). We tried many things but he did not eat except banana but due to cough we stopped giving him banana. How can I create good eating habit.

  4. we tried many items from above list but nothing helped much.

  5. Not all bananas increase cold. Give a try n see. Also it's common for kids to have less appetite during cold. Just make sure to keep him hydrated. The above mentioned list helps to keep the child comfortable during sickness, it won't remove the cold completely. It will cure by its own once the infection is cleared! Hope this helps.

  6. Yes it is helping a lot. Thanks for such wonderful site. It is really difficult to see the baby struggling with chocked nose and crying specially at night. I have to take him on shoulders and need to walk to stop him crying. Even though I sit he start crying. This is our schedule for the night from past few weeks. I am hoping these days will pass quickly and we also can have enough sleep. Really tired.

  7. Completely understand your situation. This too shall pass! Don't worry! Take care !

  8. Hi, Really good information. Are there any other foods which baby loves to eat. I also have 19 months baby. He don't like to eat, I have tried to feed him forcefully but he do not eat anything. Went to Pediatrician and he says try different food. But what to try? we tried almost every type of food. Indian, Fruits and American but every time it is same. If you could suggest anything would be great help.

  9. Try to figure out your baby's taste buds and preferences. Expriment at least two to three new recipes per week and find. I am trying my level best to post new recipes everyday that suits fussy eaters or picky eaters! You can find some recipes here: https://gkfooddiary.com/search/label/Toddler%20Food%20Recipes

    Do follow me on my facebook page to get daily updates!

  10. Yes milk with honey is okay. Try these other options to give milk:
    Ragi nuts malt:
    https://gkfooddiary.com/ragi-malt-drink-recipe-toddlers-kids/

    Ragi green gram malt :
    https://gkfooddiary.com/badam-ragi-green-gram-malt-for-toddlers/

    Instant Almond Milk:
    https://gkfooddiary.com/almond-milk-recipe-for-toddlers-badam/

    Turmeric milk: https://gkfooddiary.com/turmeric-milk-recipe-toddlers/
    Dry Fruits powder milk
    https://gkfooddiary.com/dry-fruit-powder-milk-for-toddlers/

    Instant mixes:
    Almond powder:
    https://gkfooddiary.com/homemade-almond-powder-for-babies/
    nuts powder ;
    https://gkfooddiary.com/nuts-powder-recipe-for-babies-toddlers-and-kids/
    Dates syrup
    https://gkfooddiary.com/homemade-dates-syrup-recipe/
    Chocolate syrup:
    https://gkfooddiary.com/homemade-chocolate-syrup-recipe-for-toddlers-and-kids/
    Other than mentioned above you can try milkshakes too.

  11. Hi, My toddler drink milk only with Honey. So is it good to add one teaspoon honey in his milk? Actually our dr has given us this idea when he was not drinking milk but not sure if we should continue it or not. We tried giving him milk without honey but he did not drink it. His age is 20 Months.

  12. Modified comment here: please check whether you are able to open the links

    Yes milk with honey is okay. Try these other options to give milk:
    Ragi nuts malt:
    Ragi nuts malt

    Ragi green gram malt :
    Ragi green gram malt

    Instant Almond Milk:
    Instant Almond Milk

    Turmeric milk:
    Turmeric milk

    Dry Fruits powder milk
    Dry Fruits powder milk

    Instant mixes:
    Almond powder:
    Almond powder

    nuts powder ;
    nuts powder ;

    Dates syrup
    Dates syrup

    Chocolate syrup:
    Chocolate syrup

    Other than mentioned above you can try milkshakes too.

  13. Hi, Thanks for your valuable reply. Somehow I am not able to copy or click on the provided links. Can you please check how I can copy or open them.

  14. Can i give egg to my 1 year baby during cold and cough

  15. Eggs are rich in zinc, which may help in treating cold, says some studies. But for small babies and kids, it may not be easily digestible during cold. But having said that, It depends on individual. Hence give small amount and see if it suits your baby!!

  16. Hi..very nice recipes u have mentioned here...I have few queries regarding the choice of fruits nd vegetables which u have mentioned...pls correct me if my understanding is rt or wrong...my in laws n husband are very perticular about what to give them during winter months specially wen toddler has fever,cold n cough...
    U have mentioned abt citric fruits,watermelon ,moong dal,curd ,lemon,ragi,pinaapple,beans,ridge gourd ...they say giving these will increase the mucus formation n also the cold n cough
    Pls can u tell me If my understanding is rt..

    Sorry for the long post

  17. All the vegetables and fruits mentioned in the above list is rich in Vitamin C. As Vitamin C is believed to treat and prevent cold and infections, it's preferable during cold episodes. You can avoid them if it doesn't suits your baby or shows any allergic reaction.

  18. My daughter is 14 months old and her water intake is very less due to which frequently she's constipated. Pls help

  20. Very nice recipes . Very helpful. Easy to prepare..

  21. Very Well written article, Kalyani. You have provided all the useful information at one place. Thanks for Sharing.

  22. Which recipes for sick babies do you recommend for a 10+month infant, and which has less herbs and spices. My baby isnt used to herbs and spices so im not sure which ones to try.

  23. month is written along with recipe heading...you can start with cumin seeds, garlic if you want to introduce spices

  24. Wonderful information thanks a lot

  25. Hi! What a wonderful list. Most of these foods are basics we had during cold and cough in our childhood days, but when it came to do the same with my kids I got so panic and forgot them all.
    This list is a reminder of all those 'forgotten home remedies' for cold. My kid is 5 years old and is having cold, while reading your list I was continuously chuckling as why didn't I think of it before. ?

  26. Hi
    Is tomato soup is good in cough cold fever

  27. yes its good as its rich in vitamin C which boosts the immunity to fight the disease, also the spices helps to get relief from cold symptoms

  28. Hi ..most of the links to recipees in tgis post are showing not foubd error.

  29. sorry I don't understand

  30. hie mam,
    can we give ragi during cold.

  31. better to avoid

  32. HI Kalyani. I like ur page. Can u please share some recipes to increase blood in 2 year old. And for constipation for my 2 year old.

  34. I am not able to open the recipe link because it is showing as error occurred

  35. which link did you try?

  36. Dal Khichdi recipe

  37. please try now; I have fixed it

  38. Hi kalyani,
    Your website is very informative and i keep sharing it with other mums whenever someone asks me about these things 😀
    However i want to clear one confusion kindly explain the reason why you said not to take milk with antiobiotics? Also should we stop giving milk when there is cold and cough? What do you suggest?

  39. hi Anum, thanks for your kind words:) Milk shouldn't be taken with antibiotics as calcium in the milk may bind the antibiotic and prevents gut absorption