Alternatives to Dimetapp & other such medications......

[Little Gorilla]

I have my doubts about dimetapp and other such medications - I truely believe that the majority of the time, my son would have gotten better in the same amount of time whether he had taken the medicine or not.

What I wanted to know is, what alternatives for coughs & colds you use?

Now I'm not talking really serious sounding coughs & flu type things that kids should be taken to the doctor for.

I do the following but was wondering what else people do:-


eucalyptus oil on a tissue inside his pillow case.
vapour rub on his chest and back
heaps of fluids
no dairy
panadol if there is a fever or he looks uncomfyThere must be heaps of other things.....

Thanks.

[jembelina]

I have my doubts about dimetapp and other such medications - I truely believe that the majority of the time, my son would have gotten better in the same amount of time whether he had taken the medicine or not.


.

These medications are intended to relieve symptoms, not help you to get better iykwim. I agree thpouogh, other methods are much better for bubs!

[missie_mack]

Eucalyptus in the vapouriser
Loads of garlic (its a natural anti inflammatory that is non steriod based and antibiotic)
Baths/showers to open the airways and help flush out mucus

I generally do this combined with medication if its needed. However not all colds need medication and IMO most of the kiddy cold stuff is useless. Most of them do nothing to dry up a runny nose or supress a cough. We use the natural to compliment the medication as we all need to get ontop of our colds quick as we are all asthmatics and can end up sick for weeks if its not dealt with swiftly

[Mrs J]

a vaouriser truly the best, its is one of the best things i ever bought. helps dd, if i dont have it on when she has a cold she will throw up and cough all night but with it on it clears her up and she sleeps like a log.

[Jenko]

These medications are intended to relieve symptoms, not help you to get better iykwim. I agree thpouogh, other methods are much better for bubs!

I was going to say the same thing.

I only give Demazin at night time to help DS sleep, not through the day.

I rub vicks on his back or chest, give him plenty of fluids and wipe his nose ALOT!

Think I might have to get a vapouriser, they sound like the go.

[KapowSchazam]

For a cold, I use

* an organic version of vaporub - rubbed on chest and back
* a vapouriser when she's sleeping
* a breathe-easy essential oil in a burner in the lounge room for when she's awake and playing
* fess nose stuff to clear it out
* Brauer cold & flu relief to help ease symptoms

[~Bec~]

Where can you get a vaporiser from and what's the approximate price?

[the_queen]

I use Brauer's products, they have a 'pain and fever' and a 'childrens cough' one.

I find breastmilk up the nose helps with congestion.

Lots of water for older babies, and lots and lots of breastfeeds for all ages.

For older kids, vitamin C + Zinc chewable tablets. Also lots of vitamin C rich foods.

[KapowSchazam]

Where can you get a vaporiser from and what's the approximate price?

About $50 from chemists - I have the Vicks one. it's great!

[missie_mack]

Where can you get a vaporiser from and what's the approximate price?

We bought a Taav one from the chemist for maybe $30. Highly recommend them we have the one I had as a kid (also a taav) as a spare! Its probably 20+ years old :o
I think using eucalyptus makes a big difference over not. We tried a breathe easy oil and I didnt like it as much

[~Bec~]

We bought a Taav one from the chemist for maybe $30. Highly recommend them we have the one I had as a kid (also a taav) as a spare! Its probably 20+ years old :o
I think using eucalyptus makes a big difference over not. We tried a breathe easy oil and I didnt like it as much

Thanks - we've got buckets of Euc Oil at home as DF makes the stuff. :D I think I will pick up a vaporiser on the way home tonight.

[subaruforestermum]

DS over the last few days was getting a runny nose and the onset of a cold.

I had no dimetapp to ease the congestion in his nose, so last night (well Tuesday night) I used vicks baby balsm and gave him a dose of Polaramine, which is used for hayfever and sinus problems as well as allergic reactions, and that got rid of the congestion and improved by morning!

Also another thing that works, it really does! Rub vicks into their feet at bed time and put socks on! IT WORKS!!!!

[Annabella]

Not sure how old your kids are but I use Olive Leaf Extract for mine (5 & 7 yrs old). I also use it for myself and it makes a huge difference, either holds off a cold or reduces the severity by HEAPS!