Mom’s Cold Season Remedies

When your family is under the weather, use these remedies to stay hydrated, supported and entertained during the long days of sniffles.

This round-up features our favorite recipes, remedies and activities for the cooler and cold ridden months of the year. Whether its the change of weather, or just the socialization of small children, the sniffles are inevitable. There are some tips and tricks to use for mild symptoms, or to use in tandem with other treatments. The following is not to be considered medical advice in any way, shape or form. This is just a mama, and the things that have boosted wellness for her littles.

Under the Weather Tips:

My goal with days under the weather is to simply shorten the life of the cold. I expect an onset day of sniffles, a “heightened” day (which gives me a heads up on how long it could last) and hopefully, a few taper days. Rest is huge, and sets the tempo and tone for the day. When the sniffles start, we start these protocols, just in case. The game plan is always to stay hydrated and support the gut!

5 Basic Tips for Cold Health

1. Break out the booger sucker – whichever type you use, those little nostrils need assistance. Around two, you can start teaching your little one how to use tissues. But, till then, saline and suckers. 
2. Don’t over wipe – in that same vein, do your best to keep that nose hydrated and pink. You can do that by not over wiping with a dry tissue, and applying a cream like Aquaphor. 
3. Prioritize fluids and rest – its funny, huh? This may be the hardest part of the whole sick day. Chase your little one around with their water bottle, tempt with a splash of orange juice, and park them on the couch for another round of story time. 
4. Keep warm – you can often keep a fever at bay by layering and bundling. This goes towards avoiding outside temperatures cool in nature. You know your babies best. 
5. Sleep elevated – for an older toddler, you can elevate the head of the mattress slightly to help with drainage. By elevate, I mean a few inches: a rolled up blanket, a wad of diapers, nothing much. I will put these under the mattress or tucked under the fitted sheet to avoid any nighttime accidents. 

5 Ways to Stay Hydrated

When I cold, you cold, we cold. It tends to be a shared event, doesn’t it? So, whether you are the one with the sniffles or not, pump the fluids. Winter is dry, and everyone could use a little more water. Here are some great ways to up the H2O:

1. Essential oil combos: eucalyptus, peppermint, R.C, lavender – use them in humidifiers, diffusers, showers or baths! (Do your own research about safe practices with essential oils!)
2. Juice mix: We are pumping the vitamin C, and from the best sources we can. Thankfully, cold season goes hand and hand with citrus season. Try mixing oranges, grapefruit, carrots and local honey in a blender. Strain, and sweeten to taste: more honey for sweet, lemon for tartness. 
3. Epsom salt bath: something new we have tried as a variant to a hot shower is a warm bath with epsom salts (½ cup for adults, ¼ cup for youth) and essential oils 
4. Humidifiers: Cool mist humidifiers always make a difference for sick baby sleep. They help a runny nose and a dry cough. Some diffusers, like the Frida Cool Mist Diffuser, allow for essential oils to be diffused during rest as well.
5. Tea time: explore a box of caffeine free fruit teas together, and perhaps, you may find a favorite for future treats or story times!

5 Remedies to Support the Gut 

Pair liquids with nutrient dense foods that are high in vitamins and minerals. These come the most abundantly with fruits and vegetables. Hide them in a non-dairy smoothie if you have to!

1. Chicken noodle soup: aim for a wide net to capture as many vitamins and minerals for the fighting body. The more spices and veggies, the better! Think: celery, onion, garlic, carrot, spinach, parsnip, kale. Broth provides good fats, collagen and protein for little tummies with little appetite.
2. Kombucha: “Healthade” (for adults) and “Humm” for littles in moderation, are our favorites.
3. Vitamin C: orange slices, lemon in tea, blueberries, elderberries
4. Swap to low sugar snacks: savory muffins, frozen fruit, homemade gummies
5. Local honey for cough: one teaspoon in the morning, before rest time and before bed (this one only applies to littles 2 years or older).

Sick Day Rest: Ideas for Toddlers

They may be sick, but it does not always mean that their engines aren’t full speed ahead! Prepare as many opportunities for playtime, but also use this time for lots of snuggles and one on one time.

• Parking lot games: matching matchbox cars to colors, letters, etc.
• Beading on string or pipe cleaners
• Homemade playdough: [1 cup flour, 1 cup water, 2 tsp cream of tartar, 1/3c of salt, 1 TB oil] cooked on the stovetop until thick. Add essential oils or food dye!
• Bunny Bookclub and a sheet fort
• Bathtub painting: 1 TB of dish soap mixed with 1-2 TB of water based paints

Over the Counter Remedies

When natural remedies aren’t enough, we add a layer of over-the-counter support. These are still homeopathic options that still support symptoms recovery and deep sleep. Sleep seems to be the one factor that determines the speed of how quickly we recover!

Hyland’s Cough and Cold

Zarbee’s Chest Rub

HoneyWorks Throat Spray

Young Living Snifflease

Read More from our Wooden Spoons:

Recipe for Chicken Noodle Soup 

Recipe for Elderberry Syrup

Also, check out our “Sick Day Book List” under Bunny Book Club for reads to sympathize with on a sniffly day!