To squeeze some green tea into the water?

[Bog]

Forgive me I am now a single father to my wonderful son and feel silly asking my parents and my in law's the following.
He is recovering from that cold and chesty cough that's been doing the rounds.

I've read that green tea helps with lung function, would it be worth me squeezing a tiny bit into my sons water to help this cough on its way?

Green tea has caffeine so depending on your sons age I would avoid. The benefits would be minimal anyway.

If he has sore throat then you could make a honey and lemon and let it cool to room temp for him? Only give honey if over 1year old though.

Thank you, ah stupid me I didn't know this.
He is 18 months old so I will try the honey and ask in law's if they have some lemon.
Thank you for your help.

As he isn't talking yet I don't think he has a sore throat as he is happy in himself and squealing at stuff he likes.

Definitely no green tea for 18 month old. As pp said it has caffeine in. Not much for an adult, but too much for a baby. In my experience things like this tend to pass and you have to stick it out a little.

Thank you.

Calpol do a wonderful plug in which I found always helped when mine were small.

Warm juice might help if he drinks juice.

Warm milk.

Thankfully before my wife passed, she had bought everything for possible illnesses. I checked and its all in date so I'm not a complete fool lol.
I have that calpol plug in along with snuffle babe rub.
He has milk before bedtime. I'm guessing as it's his first cold the cough will just linger for a while. His appetite is slowly returning but he's been drinking more water which is good.
He hasn't been unhappy at all with this cold, just a bit more grumpy but playing nonetheless.

Red Tea is better as has no caffeine. It is an aqquired taste though and I think any health properties are accumulative and you would need to e drinking for a long time

Sorry to hear about your wife @Bog But it sounds like you’re doing ace. Colds do linger with babies because all their tubes are so small and easily irritated.

Vitamin C stuff. Comfort foods. As much fluid as he will take. A good cuddle.

I can't see that it would do any good (or any harm). Don't feel silly asking your parents though, that's what new parents have always done and your wife probably would have asked her mother too (if they were close).

Hope the little one feels better soon!

I have another question please. I live at my inlaws still as no room at my parents for us. My father-in-law is being treated for cancer so I know to keep our son away from both grandparents, butI don't know how long for?
He was ill last Friday and is much better apart from the niagra falls nose and his chesty cough. Should I wait until he is completely better? I don't want to risk father-in-law becoming ill as we all have done well to be careful not to get either of them ill.

That’s a tough one, bog. I’m also sorry to hear about your wife and you sound like you’re doing a great job.

I’m being treated for cancer so also have a shit immune system but there’s no avoiding my 4-year-old so we both have The Cold™️ and The Cough™️. I definitely do avoid ill people when I can however, and I would say that if your son first got sick last Friday he would no longer be contagious … I believe you are more contagious at the beginning of an illness, and even before you have symptoms yourself. BUT your father-in-law may still feel uncomfortable if he is being very careful, as your son has visible signs of illness. Have you asked him what he’s comfortable with?

It’s a minefield really and quite personal. I really appreciate when people tell me they have a cold etc and how long they’ve had it for and then I can make a decision.

Thank you and I'm sorry to hear that you are going through this nasty disease too.
My mother in law wants to see him whilst father in law isn't around, such as gone to shops or upstairs but I don't want to take any chances. My wife was the same, if either of us were ill.
Admittedly father in law isn't as hands on due to health, rather he is entertained by our son doing his thing. Mother in law is in better health and plays with him, likes to sit and cuddle him and read if he let's her lol, so I worry that it could pass to her then onto him.
I think I will wait until he is less snotty. I hope you get remission ASAP.

No advice, I just wanted to say that you sound so lovely you brought a tear to my eye.

You are so kind and thoughtful when you must be going through a really hard time yourself.
I can't imagine my husband being able to cope on his own with an 18 month old or living with grieving in laws.

Good on you!

Good luck with everything, wishing you and your family as happy a Christmas you can possibly have. Your child is very lucky to have you as their parent

I just wanted to say that I've a one year old and a six year old.

The one year old year is poorly and I'm following this thread for tips because I've still no idea what I'm doing!

@Bog - I have no advice on childhood illnesses, but you sound like a wonderful dad. There is no such thing as a daft question when it comes to navigating childcare, whether dad or mum. You are doing a cracking job with your boy. Sorry to hear about your wife. Merry Christmas x

I'm sorry for your loss OP. You sound like a great dad.

You can get saline drops for their nose which helps with mucus and runny nose. I think the salt helps to dry it out. If you've got any chamomile tea, you could brew some of that and add to some juice once its cooled. It will help with any inflammation and will help calm your son down if hes scratchy and irritable.

The paracetamol in calpol also helps to dry up the phlegm, as well as relieve pain.

Warm baths help to clear out the nasal passages so are ideal before bed or anytime he's getting really blocked up.

I haven't any experience with cancer patients but personally I would be playing it safe and keeping him out of the way until the cough at least is over.

Hope he feels better soon.

P.S I ask my mum how to do stuff all the time.

Thanks for all the kind words. I'm 27 and my wife was my first girlfriend. Our son has a massive resemblance to her which is a great comfort. December will be hard as her birthday was then. Depression really does need to be taken more seriously but that's a thread for another day. I will no doubt ask more questions at some point lol.
Merry Christmas to all :)