Parents Use Cold Medications

Do You Give Your Tots Cold Meds?

October 6, 2008

As the flu season quickly approaches, many parents will have to decide how to deal with snotty noses and congested chests. While many have warned parents not to give their tots over the counter cold medications, the FDA is still rejecting an immediate ban on over-the-counter cold and flu drugs for children under six claiming more testing is needed.

Do you give your small children over the counter cold remedies?

22 Comments

soljah 4 years 32 weeks

I have 2 older children and I use to give them OTC meds when they were younger. I have a 3 yr old now and choose not to give her OTC medication. I use homeopathic medicine instead and have founf that if used as directed, it actually works. I love highlands sniffles and sneezes (my daughter calls monkey medicine because curious george is on the label)but I have tried other homeopathic brands that work just as well. You can find them at like an elephant pharm or Pharmaca, or even whole foods.

Greggie 4 years 33 weeks

Yeah, when they were so congested they couldn't nurse, the meds came in very handy. I tried doing the nose sucking thing but it made them cry so hard that they got even more congested.Just a little FYI though - if you're breastfeeding, a few drops of breastmilk thins the mucus better than saline for sucking it out.

Greggie 4 years 33 weeks

Yeah, when they were so congested they couldn't nurse, the meds came in very handy. I tried doing the nose sucking thing but it made them cry so hard that they got even more congested. Just a little FYI though - if you're breastfeeding, a few drops of breastmilk thins the mucus better than saline for sucking it out.

lickety split 4 years 33 weeks

we do, though we haven't for quite some time. when they were to small to blow their nose and had to choose between eating and breathing it was the better choice for us. i also use the saline drops (little noses, i think).

Greggie 4 years 33 weeks

The Zicam lawsuit is totally lacking in basis, in my opinion. The people who sued were also using nasal sprays, which are proven to reduce the sense of smell, yet the Zicam was blamed. I've researched it a bunch and continue to use it on me and my children when cold symptoms begin.I don't agree with banning because parents will give their children medicine for any little thing, either. If that were a basis for banning, we couldn't have any medications at all on the market.

Greggie 4 years 33 weeks

The Zicam lawsuit is totally lacking in basis, in my opinion. The people who sued were also using nasal sprays, which are proven to reduce the sense of smell, yet the Zicam was blamed. I've researched it a bunch and continue to use it on me and my children when cold symptoms begin. I don't agree with banning because parents will give their children medicine for any little thing, either. If that were a basis for banning, we couldn't have any medications at all on the market.

anniekim 4 years 33 weeks

I don't know about banning them. Won't some parents just give their kids adult OTC cold meds? Now that sounds dangerous.

momma tikita 4 years 33 weeks

i think its fine that they ban them because some mothers and fathers give meds to their kids for any little thing. which has caused some deaths unfortunately. but with my kids if its really bad i give it to them. mostly a fever reducer. My daughter has a heart problem so i don't give her any decongestant..but if my son is really congested then I'll give him a little.

badkitty 4 years 33 weeks

I've given all three of my kids cold medicine for the past 13 years with no ill effects, and I still will. The medical community changes their tune all of the time, what is good, what is not good. With proper supervision and the proper dose, I do not think there is anything wrong with giving your child medication if it's needed.

LiLRuck44 4 years 33 weeks

I think it was in 2006 that the maker of Zicam reached a settlement with a couple hundred people who had lost their sense of smell from Zicam. A lot of holistic doctors say to stay away from it. That's all I know about it, I've never taken it or bought it or even looked into it, just something you might want to check!

Greggie 4 years 33 weeks

I'd also like to clarify that I don't just give meds at the first sign of congestion, especially now that my son's ear canals have matured. He rarely gets meds now. And I wouldn't use it on the baby unless she started to show the same ear history as the boys (which is also my own, they didn't drain properly with congestion so ear infections were common). I now use the Zicam allergy swabs for congestion unless it's really bad. They work like a charm.

Greggie 4 years 33 weeks

lawchick 4 years 33 weeks

Zicam is awesome. And I believe it's all natural so maybe that eases some concerns.

roxtarchic 4 years 33 weeks

i've never tried Zicam... i'll havta keep that in mind.

Greggie 4 years 33 weeks

We also use Zicam. I swear by Zicam.

Greggie 4 years 33 weeks

Yes, under our ped's supervision. I'm fine with cold meds not being available OTC for under 6, but I want them available by prescription or as dispensed by a doctor. People can claim they don't do anything, but I know differently. And if we hadn't been able to give my now 5-year-old meds from the time he was about 6 months, his ear infections would've been far worse. If we were able to get the pressure off quickly, he was fine. If I was unable to get him meds, he had an ear infection within 24 hours.

LiLRuck44 4 years 33 weeks

We don't give any cold/cough etc. medicine. We offer lots of fluids, usually hot peppermint tea and tons of rest. Their colds go away just as fast if not faster than normal colds.

Mommy of Three 4 years 33 weeks

I give them with the consent of the pediatrician, either in the office or on the phone. I am also careful to always ask for the proper dose. My brother in law is a pharmacist and he says most problems are a result of too much medicine or combining medications. Let the doctor know every thing you have given or plan to give your child and their accurate weight for a proper dose.

LadyLiLa83 4 years 33 weeks

I usually ask my pediatrician what is ok for my daughter. I try to keep a vapor plug or vaporizer steam on hand at all times, just in case. My daughter has used PediaCare in the past, and it's really helped, but since all this hullabaloo over it, I will definitely just check with the doc.

RosaDilia 4 years 33 weeks

If my son is not running a fever or complaining of any pain then I just give him some medication for the runny nose and congestion.

roxtarchic 4 years 33 weeks

really like those pediacare soothing vapor plug things... ya just gotta be careful w/things you plug in i think. and the infants chest rub... (organic brand) are really all we'll use. he's not even a year old yet, so i'm hestitant to even give him tylenol a lot of the time (i'm hesitant to use it for myself as well)... i don't like the idea of the fda banning something like this, because i think it should be a parents choice to excercise care and common sense. altho w/questionable plastics i'm all FOR a ban...

mother 4 years 33 weeks

My kids have colds as we speak and my pediatrician told me it's safe to give them Benadryl for congestion and runny nose. After almost a week of sleepless nights, they are finally getting some rest. Of course, I am not a doctor, so check with your own pediatrican first, but just thought I'd share what worked for us! : )

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