Pregnancy And Baby Care Slideshow How to Squash Summer Sniffles

How to Squash Summer Sniffles

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During the winter months, moms have the natural tendency to bundle up their kids in layers of clothing, so that they "don't catch a cold". However, it is a myth that you are more likely to catch a cold in the winters; 78% of all colds and sniffles in the US are experienced during the summer months of May, June and July.

If your child is in contact with a person who is already infected, he could catch the virus too, which soon becomes evident as he develops a low-grade fever, a runny nose, a headache and a sore throat.

Most of us are aware of the fact that "there is no cure for a common cold". However, it does not mean that your little one has to suffer from the sniffles all week long. The good news is that though you cannot cure a cold (by making the virus disappear) you can make the symptoms vanish, which in turn will help your child feel much better. Given below are a few simple steps to squash summer sniffles

• Make sure that your child gets plenty of fluids, especially warm ones, like soup, broth, milk, weak tea and some warm water. The warm liquid loosens the mucus, which becomes easier for your child to cough it up. Try to give your child some freshly squeezed orange juice diluted in half a glass of warm water. The Vitamin C in the juice will boost your kid's immunity, allowing his body to fight off the virus more strongly. At the same time, the warm water will soothe your child's sore throat.
• Encourage your child to blow his nose gently, several times a day, to clear the nasal passages and ease breathing. If your child is old enough, try to rinse the nasal passages with some saline spray.
• Let your child take a nice long, hot bath or shower at least twice a day. Breathing in the warm and moist air makes it easier for your child's body to eliminate phlegm. For best results, your child should take a hot bath just before he goes to bed.
• Prepare a gargling solution with warm water and a little bit of salt and have your child gargle with it at least 3 or 4 times each day. This relieves a scratchy throat for a couple of hours at least.
• Place a humidifier in your child's room, to keep his nasal passages and upper airways moist. Maintain a humidity level between 50% and 60% in your house at all times. However, make sure that you keep the humidifier clean and change the water regularly.
• Over the counter cough syrups are not recommended for children who are very young. However, you can prepare your own cough syrup at home, by mixing ¼ cup of honey and an equal part of apple cider vinegar. Pour this mixture into a jar and seal it well. Shake the bottle before you use this syrup. Give your child one teaspoon every 4 hours or so. However, honey is a strict no-no for children who are below the age of 1 year.
• Getting a child to take it easy in the summer months is a challenge for any mom, even if the child happens to be suffering from the sniffles. However, it is important for your kid to get an adequate amount of rest throughout the day. This will strengthen his body and will allow him to fight off the infection sooner.

In case the sniffles last for more than a week or if your child's symptoms are quite severe, make it a point to consult a doctor.