Here's what I did to get my toddler back on track.
1. I'm still breast feeding. Breast milk has antibodies, is easily digested, is hydrating & comforting.
2. Warm mist humidifier. What was I doing with a cool mist back in the day? This $17 machine has been amazing. I put a little bit of essential oil infused Neti salt and our room is like a little eucalyptus rainforest.
3. Eucalyptus oil, peppermint oil & lavender & frankincense oil rubbed with coconut oil onto the bottom of her feet and onto her chest.
4. Probiotics in her sippy cup of water, unsweetened hemp milk, unsweetened coconut milk or coconut water. We use the Garden of Life kids. It's raw, has the most for your money and I trust that it's super clean.
5. Cherry Bark Syrup from Herbs for Kids really helped calm down her cough. (Not for kids under 1. Make sure you read the serving dosage)
6. Chamomile tea with the alcohol free echinacea, burdock root & astragalus tinctures. (Make sure you use the proper dosage for your child's weight and age. Check the bottle and I also use Dr. Aviva Jill-Romm for guidance. By the way, her book Naturally Healthy Babies and Children is definitely one to have in your library.)
7. Nose Frieda! If you aren't familiar with this, it's a better version of the bulb syringe. It's a Swedish snot sucker that is actually super productive and sanitary. You can wash it all out and use filters so that you don't get any snot in your mouth. They're amazing.
8. Saline spray. Make sure to get the kind for babies and don't shoot it up, just drip it in. Read those labels and make sure you're not putting any unnecessary ingredients in their little nostrils. You'd be surprised that even salt water can be ruined by the drug companies. Boo. Anyway...
9. No sugar. I don't give my daughter sugar anyway, except for maybe 3 or less times in her life (birthday...) Sugar breeds sickness and nasal congestion. It feeds on sickness and makes it worse. Cancer patients aren't supposed to have sugar, but neither are people with colds.
10. Easily digested foods. Smoothies, fresh vegetable juices, puréed fruits & veggies etc. Try to avoid crackers or things that could aggravate coughing.
11. Warm baths with essential oils.
12. Rest, cuddling & so much love. :)
