When your baby is sick, your first instinct is likely to go straight to the medicine cabinet. However, there are natural alternatives practices - such as aromatherapy, homeopathy and probiotics - which are just as effective as medical treatments. In many cases, natural medicine is also healthier medicine.
If your child has symptoms of a cold, such as a cough or congestion, you can use steam to relieve. Moist air loosens congestion and can help stop coughing. You can use a humidifier, but a simple warm bath with a few drops of eucalyptus oil has the same effect, and is much more soothing.
If sniffles are the problem, natural health experts advise drainage of nasal passages of your child rather than taking medication. You can use a rinse saline or postural drainage try to loosen the mucus naturally.
However, do not be quick to discount modern medicine. There are circumstances in which the natural therapy is less effective than medical prescriptions. If your child has any of these symptoms, take them to a doctor or hospital immediately:
- fever
- colored mucus (not white or clear)
- rash
- constant vomiting
- any kind of pain