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:
When to make an appointment with the doctor:
- 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:
1. Steaming (3 months +):
Steaming is a safe and best home remedy that helps loosen the mucus in the nasal passages.
How to do it:
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 +):
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:
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 +):
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:
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 +):
Elevating your head while your child sleeps helps to breathe easily.
How to do it:
5. Lots of rest (0 Months +):
6. Warm Water (6 Months+):
7. Mustard oil (1 year +) :
- 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 :
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 +):
9. Ginger :
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 :
The antibacterial property of garlic helps relieve coughs and clear mucus that blocks the lungs.
How to use it:
Garlic Water (1 year +):
Rasam with garlic (8 months +):
11. Turmeric :
The anti-inflammatory property of turmeric helps to unblock chest congestion and soothes a cough.
How to use it:
Turmeric Water (8 months +):
Turmeric Milk (1 year +):
12. Tulsi or basil leaves :
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 :
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 +):
14. Ajwain :
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.
15. Cinnamon :
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 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.
17. Ghee (8 Months +);
How to use it:
18. Eucalyptus oil (1 year +):
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 +):
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+):
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.
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.
FAQ
Can I use honey as a remedy for a baby under one year of age?
No, honey should not be given to babies under one year of age due to the risk of botulism, a rare but severe illness caused by toxins produced by Clostridium botulinum bacteria.
Should I feed again or skip that meal if the baby throws up after solid feed?
If the baby throws up the food, stop feeding. Try again after 1-2 hours.
How can I make my 9-month-old drink water? Spoon feeding is not working.
You can try using a bowl and spoon after a meal. If you are breastfeeding, water is not compulsory, as 90% of breast milk contains water.
How can I prevent my baby from catching a cold?
To boost immunity, offer nuts, dry fruits, vitamin C-rich fruits and vegetables, and breast milk. Also, cover your baby's ears and head if it's cold outside.
Should I apply oil on my baby's hair and give a head bath on alternate days?
This depends on the climate. You can apply oil and bathe on alternate days if it's hot.
I'm planning to wean when my baby turns one year old. Can you suggest some ways to introduce cow's milk?
Breastfeed as long as you can. When introducing cow's milk, give ¼ cup of plain, nicely boiled cow's milk and gradually increase the amount.
How can I give nuts and dry fruits to my 9-month-old?
You can offer nuts and dry fruits in powdered or paste form and add them to any baby food.
My daughter is 21 months old and has a dry cough and cold during winter. Can I give her jaiphal, and if so, in what quantity? Or do you have any other suggestions?
You can give your daughter a tiny amount of jaiphal. Also, check the recommended foods to offer during a cold and cough here: https://gkfooddiary.com/foods-to-offer-during-cold-cough-in-baby-toddler-and-kids/
neha goyal
Awesome home remedies, I too believe in home remedies to treat the common diseases like cold, cough.
Mufi
I ll give syrup for ma bby for cough.. and also i try this one tip or not?
gkfooddiary
Yes you can try these home remedies.
Vinee Khambhayata
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.
gkfooddiary
Thank you! Check ragi green gram malt recipe here
https://gkfooddiary.com/malted-cereal-mix-for-baby-and-toddlers/
Hasini
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.
gkfooddiary
i would suggest you to check with another doctor..as 1.5 months of cough couldnt be cured with home remedies
Preeth
Is it ok not to take to doctor if baby has cold and running nose but no temperature ?
Preeth
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,
gkfooddiary
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
gkfooddiary
if the cold persists for more than 3 days you should visit a doctor
Preeth
Thank u so much for the reply
How to give nuts and dry fruits to 9 months old?
gkfooddiary
nuts and dry fruits in powdered form or paste form..can be added to any baby food...
Rohini Verma
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.
Kalyani
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/
Shabir
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.
Kalyani
Only breastfeeding and steaming helps.
Harshita
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
Kalyani
check here: cold cough foods: https://gkfooddiary.com/foods-to-offer-during-cold-cough-in-baby-toddler-and-kids/
Aakansha Sharma
Hi gk
I read your vlogs
These are really very effective
My daughter having fever , she is 8+ Month
Please suggest any home remedy
Kalyani
for 8 months baby, you should check with the doctor
swaminathan
useful tips.