The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is recommending that over-the-counter cough and cold medicines which have been widely used for decades should not be given to children under 6 years of age. Several products previously geared for the under 6 age group have voluntarily been removed from the market. The USDA says that drug manufacturers have not proven that they work for children because all current data has been extrapolated from adults. So what’s a parent to do? Well, what is old is now new – your mother’s remedies are, once again, returning to the forefront.

To ensure your child can rest and to help them feel better it is recommended that:

• Children drink plenty of liquids, from water to chicken soup.
• Parents use a suction bulb to clear an infant’s clogged nose.
• Children use salt-water nose drops to loosen thick secretions for easier drainage.
• Parents put a cool-mist humidifier in the child's bedroom.
• Parents apply mentholated creams to the child’s chest or use other fragrances to relieve congestion (check labels for age restrictions).
• Parents administer acetaminophen or ibuprofen to the child (only as recommended by your doctor) to alleviate pain or discomfort. Check that these medications do NOT contain extra ingredients like decongestants or antihistamines.