Sorry I've been a bit MIA around here this week - my poor Olivia woke up Sunday night with a nasty cough - a terrible barking sound that woke us and made us cringe - Croup.
Croup is so scary because it can seem so mild and minor at one moment, and terrifyingly life-threatening the next. It's important to stay calm, and keep your child calm when they have croup, as crying and coughing can constrict the airwaves further.
I placed a quick call to the nurse at our pediatrician's office to confirm what I thought I knew already: Liv doesn't need to be seen unless she develops stridor, (difficulty breathing). Of course, because viral croup is, well, viral, there's not much that can be done. To learn more about viral croup, visit
The American Academy of Pediatrics.
This makes us Mumma's (and Daddy's, too) feel a bit helpless, since only time and TLC can get rid of croup, but there are ways to help your little one feel a bit better.
Here are a few quick ways that we help soothe our children when they have croup:
1. Increase Fluids
Liv's symptoms actually started earlier in the day with lots of sneezing and a very runny nose. The first thing to do with any cold or virus is increase the amount of fluids. Avoid citrus juices though, as those can irritate a sore throat - our pediatrician recommends lots of clear fluids. If your child is refusing liquids, try offering foods like apples, cucumbers, or melons, which have a high water content.
2. Boost Vitamin C Intake
Vitamin C helps the body fight colds and infections. Booth your child's Vitamin C intake with these foods: bell peppers, strawberries, broccoli, cantaloupe, kiwi, kale, brussel sprouts, and papaya.
3. Clear the Air
I find that using a
homemade essential oil spray can help keep air passage ways clear. Eucalyptus, Lemon, Rosemary, Peppermint, Thyme, and Tea Tree oils are all good choices. A bit of Lavender can also be soothing to both a sick child, and a worried parent.
4. Run a Humidifier
We all know that a sick child is more likely to be up during the night (ugh!) Running a humidifier in your child's room is a great way to help them sleep better. Mayo Clinic suggests that humidifiers add moisture to the air, which helps ease coughing and congestion due to a cold virus. While they also note that both warm and cool mist humidifiers have the same effect, my pediatrician recommends cool-mist. Be sure to clean your humidifier a couple times a week, and change the filter often.
5. Apply Vick's BabyRub
As a kid, my mom always had Vick's on hand, and now so do I. Apply a little bit to your toddler's chest and throat a couple times throughout the day. Check with your pediatrician first before applying to young infants. I also swipe a teeny bit on the soles of her feet before bedtime. Perhaps it's a an old wives tale, but supposedly it helps reduce coughing - I figure it can't hurt! Just be sure to wash your toddler's feet well in the morning. (Note, should your child develop a rash from the Vick's discontinue use and contact your pediatrician.)
6. Steam up the Bathroom
Turn the shower on with the water as hot as possible and let the bathroom get good and steamy. Strip your little one down to their diaper or undies, find some toys or books, and spend sometime in the the steam. Ten minutes is usually good enough. LiveStrong suggests that this is particularly helpful when done at least twice a day (morning and night). Keep in mind that hot air rises, so it's helpful to hold your child and stand up for at least part of the time, versus sitting on the floor. I also find that using a few drops of essential oils helps. Simply wet a wash cloth, add the oils, and put the cloth in the shower. The steam will then take on some of those soothing properties. (Note, take care that your child does not touch the water since it is to hot.)
7. Get the Honey, Honey
Honey can help sooth a sore throat, and is a natural cure for congestion - plus (bonus!) it has antibacterial properties. Our pediatrician's office recommends ½ teaspoon every four to six hours. If your toddler will not take
it from a spoon, try putting it in an oral syringe. We also find that a mixture of hot water and honey is a soothing drink before bedtime. (Note: Do not give honey to
children under one year of age.)
8. Elevate the Mattress
Roll up a towel or use an extra pillow under the mattress to elevate it. This will help alleviate congestion so your child can sleep.
9. Use Saline & a Bulb Syringe
Blowing out the mucus is just not an option for little one, but saline nasal drops work well for nasal congestion. Place saline drops inside your toddler's nose, then use a bulb syringe to suck out the mucus. Of course, your toddler will
not like this part, so it's nice to have someone to help you with this. Don't do this more than once or twice a day as you can dry out your little one's nose and cause irritation.
10. Wipe it Away
We all know that after repeated swipes at our little one's noses, they start to get raw, and our little ones even more irritable. I swear by Boogie Wipes, but if you don't have those on hand, a baby wipe will do. And if your toddler is anything like mine, she'll delight in having an extra one to dab at her face or 'clean' what surface is nearby.
While Olivia isn't cured, she does seem to be making progress and her cough is noticeably better. I definitely think that some of these methods are helping her feel a little more like her 'usual playful self' (5 point if you know what kid's show that line is from). Anyhoo, I hope you'll find some of these tips and tricks helpful.
Disclaimer: I am not a doctor, nor do I play one on TV... these suggestions are what works for my family. Please consult your pediatrician for the best way to treat your child and his or her specific illness.
