Is cold and cough medicine safe for toddlers?

Pediatrician Tanya Remer Altmann, MD, explains why you shouldn't give babies and toddlers OTC cold and cough medicine, and shares 3 non-drug cold and cough remedies to help your little one feel better.

Transcript

00:00

These medications may have some unpleasant or potentially harmful side effects for kids. Home remedies, herbal remedies, and supplements

00:08

may also contain potentially dangerous ingredients. So always check with your pediatrician before giving anything to your child.

00:15

[MUSIC PLAYING]

00:22

I'm Dr. Altmann. When your little one has a cold or flu, should you give her an over-the-counter cough and cold medicine? Probably not.

00:29

Over-the-counter cough and cold medicines generally aren't recommended for babies and toddlers. These medications may have some unpleasant or potentially

00:37

harmful side effects for kids. Home remedies, herbal remedies, and supplements may also contain potentially dangerous ingredients.

00:45

So always check with your pediatrician before giving anything to your child. So how can you help your tyke feel better?

00:51

If the cold is bothering your child, try to clean out that stuffy nose so he can breathe better and drink more easily.

00:58

Place a drop or two of nasal saline solution in each nostril to loosen the mucus and help it drain. If the stuffiness is interfering with sleep or feeding,

01:06

try gentle suctioning. He won't like it, but if you can get the gunk out, he'll feel better. A cool mist humidifier or vaporizer at night

01:14

may also help ease a stuffy nose and cough. And, as always, when your child is sick, make sure he drinks plenty of fluids.

01:21

For more tips when your child is sick, check out our Health Smarts videos right here. [AUDIO LOGO]