Due to the recent recalls of over the counter cold medicine, I had to get creative and try to think of ways that I could help alleviate my baby’s cold symptoms. I have used these products with great results several times within the last 6 months. Here are 5 of the products that I can’t live without when my baby develops a cold.
Kaz 4100K Health Mist Quiet Operation Cool Mist Humidifier
This humidifier may not be as streamlined and pretty as other models on the market, but it is a wonderful product that works great and does exactly what it is supposed to for an affordable price. You simply fill the humidifier with tap water or bottled water, your preference, and plug it in. It isn’t noisy; the faint white noise created by the humidifier is actually very soothing. This humidifier will run for about 18-20 hours on one fill up, however, you want to be sure to clean the humidifier every day and refill it with fresh water to avoid spreading contamination. The cool mist humidifier works by thinning mucus naturally, without medicating your child. One helpful tip is to be sure that you place the humidifier on a waterproof surface. You don’t want to water damage any of your furniture. I put mine on top of a changing pad that I placed on top of the dresser in the baby’s room. The Kaz 4100K Health Mist Quiet Operation Cool Mist Humidifier can be found at most department stores and drugstores nationwide for about $25.
This is a wonderful bubble bath for your baby that is not only a wonderful decongestant, but is also tear free like other Johnson& Johnson baby products. You place a few capfuls of the bubble bath in the tub when you give your baby a bath and it cleans your child, conditions his skin, and helps him to breathe easier. Bonus-The vapors that you breathe in while bathing your sick baby will also help to clear up your congestion if you are also feeling the effects of a cold. You can also use this as a shower gel for yourself when you are feeling sick. It makes your skin silky smooth and works as a great decongestant. Johnsons Baby Soothing Vapor Baby Bath can be found at most retailers for about $4.50.
VICKS BabyRub Soothing Comfort for Babies
After you bathe your baby, try applying some of VICKS BabyRub Soothing Comfort for Babies on his chest and back. This is a creamy rub is formulated just for babies’ skin and smells great. It helps your baby to breathe easier when his nose is stuffy and also helps to control his cough. The lavender scent also helps to soothe your baby and help him to rest. Ingredients contained in VICKS BabyRub Soothing Comfort for Babies are: Petrolatum, Eucalyptus Oil, Fragrance, Rosemary Oil, Coconut Oil, Mineral Oil, Aloe, and Lavender Oil. Bonus Tip- You can rub this on your feet at night before bed, put on a pair of socks, and wake up the next morning with soft, relaxed feet. Exactly what you need after pacing the floor with a sick baby! VICKS BabyRub Soothing Comfort for Babies can be found at most department stores and drug stores nationwide for about $4.
If your little one’s nose is very congested, sometimes a nasal aspirator just can’t clear it out without some help. Ocean Nasal Spray For Kids is the perfect thing to use before suctioning your baby’s tender nose. It helps to thin the nasal secretions and makes suctioning your baby’s nose a lot more effective and quicker. This gentle saline solution naturally provides infants with instant, soothing relief to irritated nasal passages due to colds and allergies. Ocean Nasal Spray For Kids is gentle, alcohol free, and drug free. This nasal spray contains extra moisturizers for your baby’s tender nose. Ocean Nasal Spray For Kids is a natural and non-medicated way to alleviate some of the discomfort associated with your baby’s cold. Ocean Nasal Spray For Kids can be found at most national drugstore chains and department stores for about $4.50.
NasalClear Nasal Aspirator
The NasalClear Nasal Aspirator is the ultimate suctioning device for your baby’s nose. This battery powered nasal aspirator makes the difficult process of holding your baby still and clearing their clogged nose so much easier. The NasalClear aspirator provides you with suction that is stronger than that of a traditional manual aspirator without the tedious and repetitive task of suctioning and squirting. The NasalClear Nasal Aspirator is gentle enough to use on a newborn. The different sized soft silicone tips that are included with the aspirator are great for children who have different shaped or sized nostrils. The NasalClear Nasal Aspirator is easy to take apart and clean, but be careful not to lose the ring style gasket inside when you are cleaning it. Without this gasket, you will lose a lot of suction strength. The only feature that I wasn’t very crazy about was the music that you could turn on and off with the button on the front of the aspirator. My son developed a dislike for the tunes that were played because he began to associate them with being held down and having his nose cleared. I just stopped using this feature and this saved on the battery life. Helpful Tip- Be sure to use a saline nasal spray or drops to loosen up the dried nasal secretions and to thin the mucus before suctioning. It makes the task at hand go much quicker and more smoothly. The NasalClear Nasal Aspirator can be found at many mass merchants and drugstores for about $20.
