Despite practising health precautions inside our homes and ensuring that everyone eats nutritious food, it can’t be helped that at some point, our little ones are going to catch flu. And for kids, having flu is just as bothersome and uncomfortable as it is for us adults.
As parents, we only want to see our children feel better again. But while there is no magic wand that could instantly take away the illness (and how we wish there was!), there are kid-friendly flu remedies that can help relieve symptoms and ease the discomfort that comes with catching flu.
Remedies to Consider
Over-the-counter Medication for Kids
The first thing many parents do when their child begins experiencing flu symptoms, such as cough, stuffy nose and fever is to grab an over-the-counter medication. When choosing a medication, however, you need to make sure that you are getting a medicine appropriate for your child’s age and condition. Read the dosage and other product specifications to be guided.
Kid-friendly products such as Cold and Flu Relief with Olive Leaf can be given to children two years and older. If you are unsure what to give your child though, or you want to find out if a certain medication can be used for your child, it’s best to speak with your healthcare provider.
Humidifier
A humidifier or vaporiser is an effective way to soothe your child’s clogged nose. The steam can help to loosen the mucus in the nasal airway, decongest the nose and relieve difficulties in breathing. If your kid’s room is next to the bath area, you can also turn on the warm water in the shower and allow the steam into their room. Otherwise, you can take them to the shower area and partially close the door for the steam.
Warm Soup
It’s typical for a child (or anyone, for that matter) to lose appetite when having flu. Leaving your child to skip on food would be the last thing on your list though, and even if you can’t easily convince your child to eat as much as they normally would, offering a bowl of warm soup or broth would be a good idea.
For one, the heat from the soup can help decongesting stuffy nose and offers a relaxing relief. Two, this is a great way to introduce natural remedies through their diet – you can add garlic, sage, thyme and other herbs that can help them recover much faster.
Vapour Rub
A massage or gentle rub on their chest will give them added comfort. It doesn’t only offer physical relief, but also has a psychological effect and gives them the feeling of assurance and affection. You can make use of homemade vapour rub using tea tree, peppermint or eucalyptus essential oils, or a ready-to-use vapour rub products from your local pharmacy.
Although these over-the-counter medications and home remedies can relieve the usual symptoms (cough, stuffy nose, headaches and body pains), a visit to your paediatrician is highly advised if your child is experiencing severe symptoms such as a high fever and constant vomiting.
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