We use CJ's peppermint lotion liberally when any of us have a cold! It's a safe and natural replacement for VapoRub. It instantly cools and opens up the airways. CJ's BUTTer is a company known for their natural baby products and I found this particular lotion after already being a fan of their diaper rash creams.
Elderberry Syrup with Echinechea- this one is a serious lifesaver, and thankfully has a sweet taste. I put it in Sproutlet's juice and she doesn't mind it one bit. A disclaimer: I'm sure I'm one of the only ones in the world, but my sproutlet is super sensitive to all "tree" products, elderberries included. She can only have this in small doses (about half the recommended portion). Always do a little test before starting any new protocol :-) (her reaction presented as a rash on her chest).
Boogie Wipes- now that Sproutlet is older there is no way I am getting anything near her nose, let alone sprayed right into it! So we switched over to Boogie Wipes " With added saline, they offer quick, gentle, effective relief of stuck on Boogies (mucus) caused by the common cold & allergies.
* Hypoallergenic, Alcohol Free, Unique Formula Moisturizes with Added Chamomile, Vitamin E and Aloe" - right up our alley!
Vitamin D supplement- I've read a lot about Vitamin D, aka "the sunshine vitamin", and how we are depleted of this vitamin during the cold dark winter months (we live in New England). (http://www.reuters.com/article/2010/03/08/us-vitamin-d-idUSTRE6261IX20100308) According to WebMd, "Vitamin D fights infections, including colds and the flu, as it regulates the expression of genes that influence your immune system to attack and destroy bacteria and viruses". We are all too happy to buy a bottle of liquid Vitamin D for children and place one drop in her juice cup if it will help even slightly. So far, this is Sproutlet's first cold of the season, at the end of January. Here's hoping it'll be her last!
Culturelle Probiotics - this is something we use all the time, not just when Sproutlet is sick, but I thought it was worth mentioning! Probiotics are really something we all should be taking to support our natural immunity! This is a powdered version that we use (again, easy to blend into a cup of juice, or a bowl of applesauce, yogurt, etc). They do make chewables for both kids and adults.
Last night Sproutlet's fever was high enough that I did give her Little Remedies' Little Fevers. I like that one since it's dye-free. There is a time and a place for medicine, we just try not to default to it all the time. I have read several articles recently that I would like to share with you all, explaining why we don't reach for it at first.
Wellness Mama's: Fever? Why Reducing it Can be Harmful
Skipping Meds is Always the Best Policy - Healthy Home Economist
Tylenol Just Once a Month Raises Asthma Risk 540% and a WebMd article here as well
There's more out there, feel free to conduct your own research and come to your own conclusions! We are also wary of any product that has frequent recalls.
Gotta go, Sproutlet needs more elderberry syrup!
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