We have started in on cold season at our house--we're getting a later start than most families it seems. We have a well-stocked medicine cabinet at our house and every fall we get restocked. Mainly because I never know what drugs they’ll take off the market next.
You will read about all the cold and cough medicines that have been removed from the shelves because parents have neglected to read the labels and given the incorrect dosage to their children. But when your child is sick and hasn’t slept you become frustrated at what you can do. The general rule is less is better. Give as little has you can and if you must give something learn about the ingredients. It's important to know what each one does. And it's better to give the medicine that contain only one ingredient. No need to medicate for symptoms your kids doesn't have.
All the recent coverage about cold/cough medicines make us feel bad as moms when we want to make our kids feel better. Sure it doesn't cure the cold, but it makes them feel better and sleep (which is critical) in the process. Before you give anything, make sure you really do your research and talk to your doctor.
So here is my very unofficial list of what we keep stocked and why. (Please note this is not medical advice.) Dr. Sears has a great Medicine Cabinet reference for each of the ingredients and dosage recommendations.
Motrin and Tylenol (liquid)—My son responds better to Tylenol for some reason and my daughter with Motrin. We always have plenty of both.
Children’s Sudafed (liquid)—The real kind with pseudoephedrine (but just pseudoephedrine and nothing else added to it) that you have to buy behind the counter and sign your life away to get. It works great at decongesting stuffy noses.
Children’s Mucinex (liquid)—Only the kind with guaifenesin (an expectorant) in it. This stuff works great for getting kids to cough up the phlegm and but is also great for sinus issues since it really turns all mucus to a runny mess. Super fun. But it works.
Delsym (liquid)—This one is a bit more controversial and I’m very careful about when we use it. Our pediatrician recommended this (dextromethorphan) for after kids have been up a few nights with coughing and really can’t sleep at all. This stuff not only knocks out your kids but really makes them stop coughing. The reason I don’t like to use this is because it’s medically proven that it’s better the cough up the stuff than suppress it. But at night I feel it detrimental to my kids’ health to not rest.
Pedialyte—My kids really hate the taste of this, but when they have the stomach bug it’s nice to have it on hand. You can make your own and disguise the taste a bit.
Benadryl (liquid)—This only works on my daughter for a dry nighttime cough that’s clearly not cold related. We don’t use it much, but if she’s been up night-upon-night, we’ll give her small dose to help her sleep.
Only recently have we started adding in some of the natural remedies for my kids like honey (for cough) and warm tea. A humidifier does work, but we’ve found the warm ones actually work better. We have one of each and just try to keep them running all winter long no matter how well everyone is. Nasal spray is great as well. If you can get it up your kids noses, awesome! My kids fight me so much that it’s just not worth the fight.
Think of me today as I'm home taking care of my second child. I think older child gave it to her so hopefully once this is over we can glide through Christmas without too much trouble.
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