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    Top 20 Effective Home Remedies for Cough & Cold in Babies/Toddlers/Kids

    last updated: Mar 08, 2023 by Kalyani

    Home remedies for Cold & Cough in Kids

    Top 20 Indian Home Remedies for a Cough and Cold in Babies, Toddlers, and kids- No parent would not like to see an active baby/toddler down with a cold and cough. Still, according to the national institutes of health, kids catch a cold often at least six to 10 colds a year on average. Most colds are due to viruses; hence they can't be treated with antibiotics.

    No over counter medicines for colds are unsafe for children under 4 years of age due to the risk of life-threatening side effects, according to AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) and FDA  (Food and Drug Administration). Hence it's better to choose safe and effective home remedies instead.

    Though home remedies will not cure a cold immediately, it helps to relieve the symptoms faster and make the child comfortable. This post helps you choose some safe, tried, and tested home remedies for ages for colds and coughs. Also, Please check Foods to offer during colds & cough in Babies, Toddlers, and Kids

    What is a cold, and what are the symptoms of a common cold:

    Colds are mouth, nose, and throat infections caused by many viruses. A baby may have a cough, red eyes, stuffy nose, sore throat, mild fever, and loss of appetite when he/she has a cold.

    When to make an appointment with the doctor:

    Make an appointment immediately if
    • your baby is younger than 6 months and has cold or fever symptoms
    • check with your doctor immediately if the cold persists for more than 3 days
    • baby is rubbing his ears
    • if you noticed green, yellow or brown mucus
    • if a baby cannot keep any food down, has diarrhea every two hours, vomiting
    • has a rectal temperature of more than 101 degrees
    • blood in stool
    • if there is a sign of dehydration

    20 Home remedies for cold and cough in Babies, Toddlers, and Kids:

    Here are some effective home remedies which are safe for babies, toddlers, and kids. Check with your baby's doctor before trying the below home remedies, and don't try all remedies in one go. Read the pointers at the end of the post before applying these home remedies to your child. Choose treatments according to your baby's age which is mentioned in the brackets and the remedy heading.

    1. Steaming (3 months +):

    Cold remedies

    Steaming is a safe and best home remedy that helps loosen the mucus in the nasal passages.

    How to do it:

    When sleeping or playing, create steam in your baby's room using a facial steamer/humidifier/vaporizer. As the air gets humid, the baby can sleep or breathe easily.
    For babies younger than 6 months, go to the bathroom and let the hot water run. Sit with your baby in the toilet for 10 to 15 minutes. For kids older than one year, you could add a drop of eucalyptus oil in the hot water. Giving a warm sponge bath also helps to get relief from congestion.
    Note:
    • If using any steamer, ensure the baby doesn't get close to the steamer.
    • Remember that the steamer should be out of reach for your baby, but ensure steam gently flows inside the room.
    • Make sure to change the baby's clothes after steaming.

    2. Nasal Saline Drops & bulb syringe (6 Months +):

    Cold remedies

    Saline drops help to clear the stuffy nose to thin and loosen the mucus. so that the baby can breathe, eat and sleep easily. Bulb syringe helps clear the nose of babies who don't know how to blow their own nose.

    How to do it:

    Get a bulb syringe and nasal saline drops from a chemist's store. Tip your baby's head back, and squeeze some drops of saline drops into each nostril. Hold the baby's head up for 10 seconds. Once the saline drops loosen the mucus, squeeze the bulb and gently insert the rubber tip into your baby's nostril. Then slowly release the bulb to collect the mucus. Repeat the same for other nostrils after discarding the mucus collected.
    Note:
    • If your baby is not comfortable with a bulb syringe, collect the mucus using the cotton cloth after using saline drops.
    • Don't use this method more than one time per day and not more than four days in a row, as it might irritate a baby's nose and become dry.
    • Have a word with your doctor before you try this method.
    • It's best to use saline drops 30 minutes of feeding.

    3. Gargling with salt water (2 years +):

    Cold remedies

    Gargling with salt water is a world-known, effective, and simple home remedy to soothe a sore throat. But your child must be old enough to do the same.

    How to do it:

    Put ½ teaspoon of salt in 1 cup of warm water and ask your child to tilt the head up, hold the water in the back of the throat without swallowing it, and ask the baby to make a sound with it. Then ask them to split it out.
    Notes:
    • Try this remedy once your child is well-practiced with plain water.
    • Teach the baby how to do gargling by showing what that looks and sounds like.

    4. Elevating head (1 year +):

    Cold remedies

    Elevating your head while your child sleeps helps to breathe easily.

    How to do it:

    Put an extra pillow or place cotton towels under the mattress. But don't overdo it.

    5. Lots of rest (0 Months +):

     
    Baby sleeping
    Make your child get rest which gives them the energy to fight infection, and the healing process may be quick if the child gets enough rest.

    6. Warm Water (6 Months+):

    water
    Offering a few sips of boiled warm water often when the baby is sick helps the baby/toddler to stay hydrated, helps to remove toxins from the body and hence quickens the process of recovery from a cold.


    7. Mustard oil (1 year +) :

    Home remedies for Cold & Cough in Kids

    Mustard oil is a very effective and natural way to treat colds.
    How to use it:
    • Take 1 tablespoon of mustard oil, 1 fat garlic clove, and a pinch of ajwain powder.
    • Heat everything together for a minute. Take care not to burn the garlic.
    • Filter out using a strainer. When it's warm, massage the chest and back of your child.

    8. Honey :

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

    The antioxidants in honey help treat night cough and throat infection and promote undisturbed sleep and it's sure the best alternative to cough syrups. Please note that honey is not recommended for babies less than one year.

    How to use it:

    Plain honey (1 year +):
    Offer a ½ teaspoon of honey before your kid goes to sleep.

    9. Ginger :

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

    Ginger is very effective in treating colds, coughs, and congestion. It also helps to warm up the body so that phlegm is melted.

    How to use it:

    Ginger Tea (2 years +):
    • Take ginger which is of size half an inch. Wash, scrape the skin, and grate it.
    • Take a cup of water and boil it for 5 minutes with grated ginger. Then strain it using a filter.
    • Now add ½ teaspoon of lemon juice and 1 teaspoon of honey. Serve it warm.

    10. Garlic :

    Garlic

    The antibacterial property of garlic helps relieve coughs and clear mucus that blocks the lungs.

    How to use it: 

    Garlic Water (1 year +):
    Take a cup of water and boil it with one garlic clove. Strain it and serve your baby warm.
    Rasam with garlic (8 months +):
    Give tomato soup/tomato rasam with 2-3 garlic cloves as a soup or mix with hot piping rice, which is highly effective for cold.

    11. Turmeric :

    Turmeric - Home Remedies for Cold and Cough in Babies,Toddlers, Kids

    The anti-inflammatory property of turmeric helps to unblock chest congestion and soothes a cough.

    How to use it: 

    Turmeric Water (8 months +):
    Take a cup of water and boil it with a pinch of turmeric powder. Serve your baby warm.
    Turmeric Milk (1 year +):
    For toddlers, you can make turmeric milk and offer it before sleep, effectively treating colds and coughs. Check the recipe for Turmeric milk here.

    12. Tulsi or basil leaves :

    Tulsi

    Tulsi or basil leaves is an old home remedy to treat cold and sore throat. This herb helps to clear congestion too.

    How to use it: 

    Tulsi khasayam or basil leaves drink (1 year +):
    • Wash some 10 petals of basil leaves in lots of water to get rid of any mud.
    • Add 2 cups of water in a vessel, wash basil leaves, 2-3 peppercorns, and ¼ teaspoon of cumin seeds. You could also add 2-3 ajwain leaves to this mixture.
    • Boil it in the medium until it reduces to half. It may take 5-7 minutes.
    • Add palm sugar to it if desired, and serve warm.

    13. Black Pepper :

    pepper

    Black pepper is an effective home remedy for a cough and cold. Pepper is rich in vitamin C, antioxidants, and antibacterial properties. Hence it helps in treating the cold.

    How to use it: 

    Pepper with honey (1 year +):
    • Dry roast 2-3 peppercorns until a pleasant aroma comes. Cooldown and make it to a fine powder.
    • Take a teaspoon of honey and add a pinch of this powder.
    • Feed your baby once in the morning. It works effectively for a cough and sore throat.
    Pepper with rice (10 months +):
    • Dry roast ½ teaspoon of cumin seeds and ¼ teaspoon of pepper on low flame until a nice aroma comes. Cool it down and grind it to a fine powder.
    • Mix this powder with a handful of mashed hot rice and little ghee. Give this to your kid hot before food. It helps in treating phlegm and cough.
    Rasam with pepper (8 months +):
    Give tomato soup/tomato rasam with freshly ground peppercorns as a soup or mix with hot piping rice, which is highly effective for cold.

    14. Ajwain :

    Home remedies for Cold & Cough in Kids

    Ajwain or carom seeds are highly beneficial for cold as it helps in releasing phlegm and mucus from nasal tracts. It also gives effective relief from a blocked nose.

    How to use it: 

    Ajwain potli (1 year +):
    • Dry Roast 1 teaspoon of carom seeds in a pan until a nice aroma comes.
    • Then tie it in a cotton cloth. Let the baby inhale it for 30 seconds. Please don't overdo it.
    Ajwain water:(1 year +)
    • Take a cup of water and boil it with a pinch of ajwain powder.
    • Strain it and serve your baby warm.
    Check here on how to prepare ajwain powder at home along with ajwain water recipe.


    15. Cinnamon :

    Cinnamon- Home Remedies for Cold and Cough in Babies,Toddlers, Kids

    Cinnamon has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and natural warming property which helps to cure a cold, sore throat, and cough.

    How to use it:

    Cinnamon with honey (1 year +):
    • Mix ¼ teaspoon of powdered cinnamon and 1 teaspoon of honey.
    • Offer your baby plain or mix it with applesauce or oatmeal and serve. You can give this mixture one time a day.

    16. Dry ginger: 

    Dry Ginger - Home Remedies for Cold and Cough in Babies,Toddlers, Kids

    Dry ginger is the best remedy for colds as it helps clear chest congestion.

    How to use it :

    Dry ginger paste (1 year+):
    • You can make a paste with a little pinch of dry ginger powder with little water.
    • Heat it until it's hot to the touch, and cool it down. Apply on the forehead.
    You could also make dry ginger coffee or chukku kappi for kids older than 2 years. Check the recipe.

    17. Ghee (8 Months +);

    Home remedies for Cold & Cough in Kids
    Ghee soothes a sore throat and gives relief from colds.

    How to use it:

    Melt ghee for a minute and add a pinch of powdered pepper. Give this once a day to your baby.

    18. Eucalyptus oil  (1 year +):

    Home remedies for Cold & Cough in Kids

    Eucalyptus oil helps to open up nasal blockages and gives immediate relief.

    How to use it:

    • Add a drop of eucalyptus oil in a cotton ball and place it near the baby's bed or pillows.
    • Also, you could add a drop of oil in hot water when you give steaming for your kid, which is recommended only for children over 2.

    19. Coconut oil + Camphor (1 year +):

    Home remedies for Cold & Cough in Kids

    The coconut oil plus Camphor combo is a natural and effective home remedy for babies' colds, coughs, and congestion. It gives quick relief and makes a baby breathe easily.

    How to use it:

    • Heat a teaspoon of coconut oil for a minute and switch off the flame. Now add a pinch of powdered camphor to it.
    • When it's warm, apply it to the baby's chest. Apply very little to avoid irritation of the skin.

    20. Lemon  (1 year+):

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

    The honey and lemon combination is making comfortable during cold as it helps loosen the congestion and prevents dehydration.

    How to use it:

    Lemon with honey(1 year +):
    • Make a Juice of ½ of a lemon, mix it with a glass of warm water, add ½ teaspoon of honey to it, and offer your baby.
    • This drink with honey should not be given to babies below one year.

    Here is the video of home remedies for colds and coughs in babies, toddlers, and kids

    Important Note: 

    • The information provided here is guidelines and doesn't replace medical advice.
    • Kindly seek doctors to help if symptoms persist for more than 3 days.
    • Every child is different, and what works for one may not work for others.
    • I recommend using only organic ingredients for preparing these home remedies.
    • Consult your doctor as soon as possible if your baby's cough is wheezy and has an ear infection.
    • Avoid milk if your baby is on antibiotics and the doctor advised the same.
    • 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 ingredient separately and checked for allergies.
    • Always check with your pediatrician before including new food in your baby's diet.
    Photo Credit:
    www.freedigitalphotos.net

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

    Comments

    1. neha goyal

      February 28, 2017 at 4:15 pm

      Awesome home remedies, I too believe in home remedies to treat the common diseases like cold, cough.

      Reply
    2. Mufi

      March 03, 2017 at 6:06 pm

      I ll give syrup for ma bby for cough.. and also i try this one tip or not?

      Reply
      • gkfooddiary

        March 03, 2017 at 10:53 pm

        Yes you can try these home remedies.

        Reply
    3. Vinee Khambhayata

      July 20, 2017 at 7:31 pm

      Hello,

      I love all the recipe & I tried it for my son.He loves to eat variety of food.Thank you so much for wonderful racipies.
      Before few month, I read racipies of a healthy mix powder of spouted ragi & spouted green gram dal which is good source of protein & add 1 or 2 tbsp to any of food.please share the link for the same.

      Reply
      • gkfooddiary

        July 21, 2017 at 4:08 am

        Thank you! Check ragi green gram malt recipe here
        https://gkfooddiary.com/malted-cereal-mix-for-baby-and-toddlers/

        Reply
    4. Hasini

      September 15, 2017 at 11:53 am

      My kid have dry cough from last 1.5 month.went to doctor 3 tomes and said no problem in lungs.after antibiotics also cough is not reducing..please suggest done home remedies for dry cough..tried almost all of these.

      Reply
      • gkfooddiary

        September 16, 2017 at 1:43 am

        i would suggest you to check with another doctor..as 1.5 months of cough couldnt be cured with home remedies

        Reply
    5. Preeth

      March 22, 2018 at 4:01 pm

      Is it ok not to take to doctor if baby has cold and running nose but no temperature ?

      Reply
      • gkfooddiary

        March 22, 2018 at 10:34 pm

        if the cold persists for more than 3 days you should visit a doctor

        Reply
    6. Preeth

      March 22, 2018 at 4:09 pm

      Few questions

      1. If the baby throws up after solid feed
      Should I feed again or skip that meal ?

      2. How to make 9 months old to drink water,
      Spoon feed is what I do which is not working
      Great

      3. How to prevent catching up cold for babies?

      4. Should I apply oil on hair and head bath alternative days?

      5. I'm planning to wean when baby turns 1 year, suggest some ways to introduce
      Cows milk,

      Reply
      • gkfooddiary

        March 22, 2018 at 10:32 pm

        1. if the baby throws up the food, stop feeding.. try after 1-2 hours...
        2. You can try with bowl and spoon after a meal.. if you are breastfeeding, water is not compulsory as 90% of the breast milk contains water
        3. Lots of immunity boosting foods like nuts, dry fruits, vitamin c rich fruits and vegetables and breast milk is a great immunity booster..also cover baby's ear and head if its cold outside
        4. depends on climate...if its hot, you can apply oil and give bath on alternative days
        5. Breast feed as long as you can..when you introduce cows milk, give 1/4 cup of plain nicely boiled cows milk, gradually increase the amount

        Reply
        • Preeth

          March 23, 2018 at 3:34 pm

          Thank u so much for the reply

          How to give nuts and dry fruits to 9 months old?

          Reply
          • gkfooddiary

            March 23, 2018 at 9:25 pm

            nuts and dry fruits in powdered form or paste form..can be added to any baby food...

            Reply
    7. Rohini Verma

      November 18, 2019 at 7:48 pm

      my daughter is 21 month old. she have dry cough and cold during winters... Can i give jaiphal or if yes, what quantity i give her. or any other suggestions if not giving jaiphal.

      Reply
      • Kalyani

        November 18, 2019 at 10:29 pm

        You can give jalphal in a tiny amount. also, check the foods to be given during cold and cough here: https://gkfooddiary.com/foods-to-offer-during-cold-cough-in-baby-toddler-and-kids/

        Reply
    8. Shabir

      March 22, 2020 at 2:08 pm

      I had two months old baby,she is having cough n cold plz suggest any home remedies as in these days we are avoiding to face hospitals.

      Reply
      • Kalyani

        March 22, 2020 at 10:31 pm

        Only breastfeeding and steaming helps.

        Reply
    9. Harshita

      May 30, 2020 at 4:44 pm

      Hi my 9 months old baby has cough from past one day ....please suggest me some effective food recipes which will help in clearing her cough.
      Thanks in Advance

      Reply
      • Kalyani

        May 30, 2020 at 11:11 pm

        check here: cold cough foods: https://gkfooddiary.com/foods-to-offer-during-cold-cough-in-baby-toddler-and-kids/

        Reply
    10. Aakansha Sharma

      November 09, 2020 at 2:10 pm

      Hi gk
      I read your vlogs
      These are really very effective
      My daughter having fever , she is 8+ Month
      Please suggest any home remedy

      Reply
      • Kalyani

        November 19, 2020 at 9:21 am

        for 8 months baby, you should check with the doctor

        Reply

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    Thanks for visiting my space and taking time to read about me. I am Kalyani and I live in chennai. I was working in IT industry as a software engineer for 7 years. I had to quit my job after my little one arrived and during this time I found my passion! Yes it's cooking and clicking and so this blog! Read More…

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