Toddler has millionth cold of the month. How can I allieviate symptoms ?

[BustyDeLaGhetto]

Killer thread title isn't it ? Really draws you in.

DD is 18 months and has had colds on a weekly basis since September, some with temps, some just snotty and miserable. She has developed a red chapped rash around her top lip and chin from constant snotting and drooling which we are treating with an antibacterial cream from the GP - have no idea if it is working as she keeps getting bloody colds so it is a constant currently.

How can I help her out ? She is struggling to breathe, snoring like a docker, seems to be constantly uncomfortable and her eczema is flaring up. I have raised the pillows in her cot (although she sleeps with us at night) and am using Olbas Oil - we have a saline spray which seems to do zero to her nose and just makes her cry. I know it is all part of the process of immune development but i just feels sorry for her and as it's so cold at the moment we don't seem to be going out at all!

As an aside should I be taking her to any toddler groups at all ? I want to go to one today and tomorrow as we're normally quite busy but not sure if is a good idea with snot/cold misery. Perhaps I should just keep her indoors for a few days to try to get over it. Any thoughts ?

Steam helps - let her play near the shower running, or have a shower with her. Lots of liquids to replace the fluid loss.

I'm taking mine to groups still with snotty noses as all the other kids have them anyway and the distraction seems to help them feel better. I think fresh air is good too as the heating on at home dries the air and can make coughs worse and heads lethargic.

That said, if they will lay on the sofa with a blanket, a bowl or fruit and cbeebies they probably are ill enought to benefit from rest too - but mine would never stay still for that long so we head out still too!

Hope she's better soon.

Thanks Lovethesea I tried to take her to the park earlier but she had a little cry because a bird didn't want a cuddle and flew away and DD couldn't be distracted out of it so I took her home. We weren't even out of sight of our front door.

She generally plays in the shower with me although I will try and keep her in there a little longer. She is teething too so nothing really seems to appease her. She curled up and watched cbeebs with me earlier on - you're right, motionless is a sure sign she is down in the dumps - and we've just made a tiffin cake and she got to lick the bowl so I know she isn't 'ill' ill, I just know I feel muddled and clumsy with a headful of cold and as she can't make herself understood I can't tell if she wants variety and fun or calm and cuddles. Or neither.

Snap, teething and cold. Unless its totally miserable I say wrap up warm and get out for a short walk. If nothing else it makes you glad to get back in.

And yes they all have it so I wouldn't put off groups unless they are very ill or you can't face it.

Ds is never still - why oh why won't he watch cbeebies?

Oh chocolate is always good when ill I swear by it.

I think it's just tons of patience when they are ill isn't it? Lots of cuddles if they want, or not, lots of cbeebies, or not, lots of playtime, or not, lots of walks outside, or not, lots of calpol, or not, etc.

Mine are both ill at the moment with bad cold/coughs. I'm popping flu pills too so I'm making sure I give them calpol if they are hot or very grumpy/unsettled. Easy to imagine they might have a headache or sore throat and not be able to tell me so I figure I'd want pain relief!

Honey is good too if your DD likes it - a teaspoon every so often given she's over one. Great for sore throats.

Pineapple is also a natural antiseptic so if she likes pineapple chunks it might help. We were munching melon at lunch - cold and replaces fluids so nice for sore throats. Mind you, they also both ate a ton of buttered toast so I don't think they are suffering too much from a bad throat!

Ah, poor thing - and poor you, that's rubbish.

We've found the two things that help DD most are a Karvol plug-in vapouriser (on for naps and overnight sleep) and a humidifier. We've just had two colds on the trot and she slept through throughout, which helped her feel brighter during the day. Before the combination of those two things, she just wouldn't sleep very well because of the bunged up nose and coughing.

Use tissues with balm for nose-wiping.

If she seems to be in pain from a sore throat in the early stages, I give her a shot or two of ibuprofen.

I keep DD away from toddler groups in the first day or so when she's totally streaming, but once that's eased off, I take her. I still try and get her outside, if only for a walk to pick up the shopping.

Good luck!

I find that vaseline (or lip balm) applied regularly to the chin helps stop it becoming so chapped through drool.

Thanks for your replies all, have just settled DD who seems happy enough but is so congested I can't bear to hear her breathing!

noblegiraffe I've been using Epiderm on as a barrier cream but apparently there is a mild infection involved which is why it is so red.Bless her, she looks like she's been eating beetroot.

We skipped toddler group today as it involves a train journey out of town and went to the park for a brisk (very brisk!! IS it freezing where you all are too?) but will head to one closer to home tomorrow. I think you're right about fresh air and getting out the house - especially with heating on.

Lovethesea Interesting about pineapple! We have just had one delivered with shopping so will make full use of it tomorrow.

Thanks again everyone, have take this all on board.

Imaculada have Karvol Plug In on list for tomorrow!