Ah, fall. A chill in the air, bright colors in the leaves . . . and unfortunately, the beginnings of cold and flu season. Fortunately for readers nursing – or about to nurse – family members through an autumn illness, Health.com has pulled together
some tips for getting kids through the common cold. The past few years have seen big changes in doctors’ recommendations on medicating colds in children, meaning that many over-the-counter medicines are no longer recommended for the youngest among us.
So what’s a parent to do with a cold-sick kid? First, says the Health piece – keep a sick kid home. Isolating contagious children keeps them from spreading their illness – and it gives kids time to rest and recover. Also important? Keep them hydrated – whether that’s with water, milk, soup – even frozen popsicles for little ones with sore throats. Other strategies include using saline drops, coating frequently-wiped areas like the skin beneath the nose, and frequent hand-washing.