Last Updated on November 18, 2023 by Natalie
This is for the mom looking for natural and effective ways to get relief from a cold for their baby.
My son is now 2 years old (25 months, to be more exact) and he’s had a cold about 3 times in his life.
I attribute this to the fact that I’m borderline agoraphobic and the only people to ever touch him are family and close friends.
And if I hear any one of those people as much as sniffle, the looks exchanged by everyone else in the room is enough to tell you my guard is up and I’m probably leaving in a huff soon.
Why so angry, Natalie??
A cold for a 6 year old is annoying, sure, but for a toddler…who breastfeeds and wakes up to do so in the middle of the night still? More than uncomfortable.
He can’t breathe and drink at the same time and therefore, his usual seconds-long wake periods in the middle of the night become something much more disruptive.
And that makes us both grumpy.
So of course, when my little one is congested, I’m on a mission to find relief for my baby’s cold.
Why I Choose the Natural Route to Relieve Cold Symptoms
Each time my little guy has gotten a cold, I have found myself blanking a bit and needing to figure out how to best alleviate his uncomfortable cold symptoms as gently and naturally as possible.
I am always scared of giving my little guy new medication. I’m not anti-medication. But I am cautious.
I think of how my mom became scared of nighttime baby cold medication when I was a baby because while it help my 3 older siblings sleep at night, it had an opposite effect on me and I was bouncing off the walls.
Of course, while I want gentle, I am also not interested in wasting time with methods that are ineffective.
I need solutions, people!
So I’ve asked for advice about how to get rid of my baby’s cold from my trusted mom team: my sister, who has 4 children, is a great mom and super intelligent human and my cousin who is a mom of 2 toddlers and is also a neonatologist.
Natural Products to Alleviate Cold Symptoms
Side note: you’ll notice these are all FridaBaby items. Unfortunately, this is not a sponsored post and these items were not gifted. This post is just my honest, chosen approach to get relief for my baby’s cold. Of course, I did include my Amazon affiliate links for the products. So don’t be shy, click those.
Humidifier
I run the FridaBaby humidifier all night long when my sweet little boy is congested.
It really helps to loosen any boogers and get them out of the way. After much research and review-reading on the best baby humidifiers I got the FridaBaby 3-in-1 Humidifier.
Pro tip: If you are also a bedsharing family (or willing to be when your little one is sick), it also helps that I will prop his head up a little with my arm. Keeping him from being totally flat does wonders when combined with a humidifier.
Organic Vapor Drops
I inadvertently added the FridayBaby BreatheFrida organic Vapor Drops to my regimen because it was included in the FridaBaby Breathe Easy Kit when I was looking for boogie wipes.
I’m glad we met, though.
They are organic vapor drops (as the name states) that contain eucalyptus and lavender. You add 5 to 7 drops in the FridaBaby humidifier (or bathtub) and it further helps to open up the nasal passages. It has a soft, refreshing scent.
Organic Vapor Rub
This also was part of the FridaBaby Breathe Easy Kit. During my son’s bedtime routine, we put this under his nose, and on his neck, chest and back.
It smells nice and fresh, just like the FridaBaby organic vapor drops. I love that it’s not a super overpowering scent.
Saline and SnotSucker
The NoseFrida SnotSucker is a scary little tool but no, you don’t end up with boogers in your mouth and it’s quite effective. Though, I’m gonna be honest, it’s hard to do!
Who can inhale powerfully for several seconds? Not me. I go at it a few times and then both my son and I are happy when this part is over.
The NoseFrida Snotsucker Saline Kit brings everything you need for this task.
So one lesson I’ve relearned a couple of times is that no matter how runny your child’s nose is, yes, you DO need saline.
It makes clearing the nose easier. Admittedly, I still will think ‘nah, these are some wet boogers. They don’t need to be liquefied.’ Don’t be like me. I am wrong. It always makes it easier.
Frida Baby has now added the Electric NoseFrida. I recently used it for the first time. I was so excited about it but to be honest it isn’t a very powerful suck. It”s gentle enough that I was totally unafraid to use it for my 8 week old but my 4 year old doesn’t really benefit from it.
My neonatologist cousin does all of the above when her kids get sick plus she diffuses a specific essential oil blend of doTERRA On Guard and Breathe.
I admittedly haven’t tried this myself. I don’t use any essential oils for anything.
She warned that they are a little pricey but worth it. Because it’s coming from her, I am interested in trying these.
If anyone reading this has tried them, please let me know what you think. Helpful?
Also, let me know if you have any natural cold remedies that work for your little one!
Malaika Archer says
I always try the natural way first. Great tips.
Mama says
Thank you! I’m all about it! ❤
Nicole says
I use on gaurd and breathe for myself whenever I have a cold or asthma issues. They are amazing! I have not tried them yet for my baby though because they are pretty strong. But I imagine putting them in a diffuser or mixing a small amount with coconut oil would help if applying it topically.
Mama says
Good to know! Yes, I agree that the diffuser probably softens them so they are gentle enough for little ones.