how can we prevent cough and colds in toddlers

[swt_fem]

The intestinal immune system of an infant less than 1 year of age cannot metabolize the toxins found in honey and may cause infant botulism which is why we really do not give honey to infants less than 1 year of age.
In short, honey is considered poisonous to infants less than 1 year of age.

Doc, regarding this, does it mean it's OK and safe to give my 1y6m old son bee propolis? I saw one kase at ilogmaria.com, they're selling honey bee propolis gold to boost the immune system.

[leletmd]

@swt_fem:
Sorry I'm not familiar with the components of the Ilog Maria bee propolis gold. I suggest to ask the manufacturer regarding age indications and components and show it to your pedia para may definite na recommendation since she is the one familiar with your son's history and all. There are patients kasi who develop allergies to bee propolis...
If its' pure honey lang kasi, no problem with giving it to kids above 1 year of age. Regular honey has healing properties and is known to be an immune booster.

[mommylala]

help mga mommies, doc lelet. may cough and cold na naman 1year old baby boy ko. Nagstart lang naman po kagabi. Nakatulugan ko kaya yun natuyuan ata ng pawis. nilalagay ko kase sa likod niya manila paper, di ko namalayan tinanggal niya. ayun nag start ng umubo hanggang ngayon. Meptin po yung pinapainom ko sa kaniya ngayon. yun [textspeak!] dati reseta sa sa kaniya ng pedia niya.

Ano po ba maganda kong gawin? may mga tips po ba kayo para makaiwas ang mga bata sa cough and cold? TIA

[leletmd]

@mommylala:
I suggest you bring your son to the pedia so proper meds can be given. Even if he was given Meptin before, it doesn't mean that it's the same med that he needs now. Meds should only be given after a thorough history and a proper physical examination is performed. Mahirap magkamali sa pagbigay ng meds, lalo na sa bata...
Suggestions on how to prevent cough and colds in kids:
1. Make sure that they are properly hydrated, especially with our weather right now. Sometimes, water therapy is all that is needed to make the cough go away. In fact, based on studies, mas effective pa ito than giving mucolytics or other cough medicine.
2. Proper nutrition
If a child is eating well, hindi na kailangan gumastos for vitamins.
3. Strict handwashing and proper washing up
4. Proper temperature control - wag balutin ng husto lalo na sobrang init na nga
Wag din sobrang lakas ng aircon. Cold temp can trigger nasal congestion.

[DV]

Doc Lelet, totoo po bang bawal uminom ng malamig kapag may ubo?

Also, pwede po bang liguin ang bata sa gabi kahit may ubo't sipon? Ang init kasi ngayon.

[leletmd]

@DV:
Hindi bawal to drink cold water/drinks when you have cough or colds. Wag lang sobrang ice cold para di naman mag-add to the hoarseness. 
Also, ok lang to give kids a night time bath, kahit pa may cough, colds or fever. It will help them be more comfortable and help cool down their body.

[DV]

Thank you, Doc Lelet!

[domestic diva]

this isn't a prevention but i tried applying vicks vapor rub on my 21 month old's feet, after hearing her coughing and coughing, and then i put socks on her.. voila! coughing has stopped after 30 min and she's been sleeping well since

[Dacian]

nagkasipon ulit si baby.  and this time nagreseta na pedia nya ng nasatapp.  nahawa sa papa nya.

[leletmd]

^ ^ Unfortunately, rubbing vicks vaporub and any other mentholated product on kids less than 2 years of age is not recommended since it might cause Chemical Pneumonitis.
It also has been proven to be a hoax.
The National Research Council of Canada has denied having done any research on this topic. They claim that it is an urban legend, which means there is no truth to it. Please visit this website for their full statement:

http://www.snopes.com/medical/homecure/vaporub.asp

Other websites also discuss this urban legend:

http://urbanlegends.about.com/od/medical/a/vicks_for_cough.htm

According to this website:
http://www.truthorfiction.com/rumors/v/vicks-vaporub.htm
"The eRumor, however, appears to have been fabricated by someone who believed in the efficacy of rubbing the product on the feet and who wanted to be able to cite official research supporting it."

Another website debunking the myth:
http://www.hsibaltimore.com/ealerts/ea200802/ea20080214b.html

[mariadj]

^Kahit po ba yung mga organic na cold rub? like giga or baby flou?

[mommylala]

hi everyone, effective po yung honey and calamansi sa ubo ng baby ko before dry ang ubo niya ngayon maluwag na. half teaspoon(pang baby's size) honey + 2drops of calamansi. at ska po napansin ko parang tumataba siya sa honey.hehe.  try nio po

[leletmd]

^ It doesn't matter if it's organic or not. If it's a mentholated cold rub, it can act as an irritant to the airways (nose and lungs) and may cause additional symptoms for kids less than 2 years of age.

[marose17]

^ Doc Lelet, I was about to purchase a vapor bath (Johnson & Johnson) but upon reading what was written on the bottle, I found a warning that it is not recommended to be used for those who have asthma and allergy.  So I chose not to buy it.  Is this somehow connected to your warning about mentholated rubs?  Parang mentholated din kasi yung vapor bath.

[leletmd]

^ Yup, from what I know, the vapor bath contains mentholated products also so it can act as an irritant to the airways.

[marose17]

^ Thanks for the clarification.  I'm glad I skipped on the vapor bath.   

[mariadj]

naku, I have to stop those mentholated rubs na pala, kasi naman yung mga SA sa malls lagi sinasabi na safe daw yun dahil organic and all natural etc etc

[lanee_beu]

two weeks ago lang natapos sa pag inom ng pediamox ang baby ko, nagsimula sa sipon after a day nag ka ubo na at may hingal so ayun niresetahan sya ng antibiotic... ngaung week nagkasipon at ubo n [textspeak!] sya kaya pinainom ko ng disudrin at loviscol ayoko n sana syang uminom ng antibiotic  , good thing this morning nawala ang sipon at d na umuubo sana mag tuloy tuloy na

[lgf08]

hello, now lang ako nagstart post but i've been reading GT posts for a long time and i find na very helpful sakin and my baby.. thank you sa mga posts..

@ doc leletmd
makakatulong po ba sa pagprevent ng cough and colds (or sa health ng baby) ang paglagay ng oil after bathing? (may nabasa naman ako na before bathing).. my baby is 10 months old na, twice nagka-cough and colds - nung 6 months at last month (binigyan ni doc ng disudrin at loviscol, pediamox nung 6 months pero last month ay hindi). ngayon parang medyo inuubo uli pero monitor ko muna pero we go back to the pedia.. nagbabasa din po ako ng mga tips para wag sakitin si baby and i came upon this thread.. TIA, i've read many of your responses and really helps po sakin..

[leletmd]

@lgf08:
There are no studies that currently prove that applying oil during bath time in babies prevents cough and colds.
These past few months, maraming nagkakasakit dahil sa weather natin so it is important to always ensure good hygiene and to make sure that the baby is properly clothed (not too bundled up), aircon dapat not too cold, etc.
If persistent pa rin ang cough and colds ng baby mo, I suggest that you bring her na to the pedia for proper evaluation.