Colds in nearly 3yo, what medicine is best or should they be avoided?

I give myDD1 some Demazin if her nose is runny. It seems to work. I also use a Vicks vaporizer at night. Otherwise just the usual Panadol for fever. Lots of fluids and vitamin c so oranges, strawberries etc.

Hope she feels better soon.

I use Dimetapp (the blue one) for my kids (8 and 3) and it helps to dry and clear up the runny nose. I use a vapouriser in the rooms at night, and put vicks ont heir feet (covered by socks) when they go to bed. I find I only need to use the Dimetapp for about 3 days.

treylace2 wrote:
I use Dimetapp (the blue one) for my kids (8 and 3) and it helps to dry and clear up the runny nose. I use a vapouriser in the rooms at night, and put vicks ont heir feet (covered by socks) when they go to bed. I find I only need to use the Dimetapp for about 3 days.

Thanks for that, I am doing the vicks and vaporiser but doesn't seem to do that much, but went to the chemist and was looking at Dimetapp but they suggested Robitussin Purple one which is for Chesty cough and Nasal congestion which are all her symptoms. It seems the Dimetapp and Demazin have one medicine for runny noses and then another for the cough. So we started using yesterday and she is improving but of course it tastes horrible and she really doesn't want to take it. I started using it now as I can feel my chest getting congested and I can see why she doesn't like it... revolting stuff!!

HappyHead wrote:
Hi

When our little ones get sick we want to fix it for them but its a part of life and for the most part they just have to ride it out. Things like Dimetapp and Demazin dont make them recover quicker and I think unless your little one is truly miserable you are better off not using them (especially ones that are blue or other colours, always go for the colour free option).

They get a million colds and flus, best to let their bodies fight them as much as possible. Sure give some panadol and vicks before bed. Sometimes a dose of dimetapp before bed if the coughing is really bad at night.

Have to agree with this.
Although instead of vicks which contains petrochemicals, I use Eukybear rub. I also make sure meals contain garlic and or ginger when we have colds.

~Dust wrote:
HappyHead wrote:HiWhen our little ones get sick we want to fix it for them but its a part of life and for the most part they just have to ride it out. Things like Dimetapp and Demazin dont make them recover quicker and I think unless your little one is truly miserable you are better off not using them (especially ones that are blue or other colours, always go for the colour free option).They get a million colds and flus, best to let their bodies fight them as much as possible. Sure give some panadol and vicks before bed. Sometimes a dose of dimetapp before bed if the coughing is really bad at night.Have to agree with this.Although instead of vicks which contains petrochemicals, I use Eukybear rub. I also make sure meals contain garlic and or ginger when we have colds.

Thanks I'll look into the Eukybear rub, yes I agree too but this time I gave in to medication as she was so miserable and constantly crying which I couldn't cope with on my own with a 15mth old as well. Had to do something to help clear this up and it has worked smile
Although of course now my 15mth old is getting worse, just finished fighting off a cold from a few weeks ago and back to a fever again today... aargh....

mummy22girls wrote:


Thanks I'll look into the Eukybear rub, yes I agree too but this time I gave in to medication as she was so miserable and constantly crying which I couldn't cope with on my own with a 15mth old as well. Had to do something to help clear this up and it has worked smile
Although of course now my 15mth old is getting worse, just finished fighting off a cold from a few weeks ago and back to a fever again today... aargh....

You poor thing, I feel your pain!
All three of mine have colds at the moment too sad I wish I could magically make them all better.

Its the same here in my house this week too sad I have been doing the same Eukybear rub, vaporiser and panadol when they have a fever
last night I gave them all a dose of dimetapp because of the coughing and DS3 just couldn't settle his poor little nose was running like a tap, but today they are doing ok thankfully!!

I hope your all well again soon smile

thanks everyone, well we went to the Dr today as I was worried about my 15mth old who is getting worse. Well she now has bronchiolitis which cannot be treated as such but the dr did tell me to use childrens claratyne syrup (allowed over 12mths) to clear up her runny nose and help her breathe. As it is a hayfever/allergy treatment I would never have thought of that, so if anyone else is battling runny noses maybe give it a go.

My eldest is fighting her cold and Dr also said to keep using the Robitussin medicine to help clear up the chest cough.

I hate this time of year, look forward to our holiday in Qld in 5 weeks!!! grin

When worst comes to worse, we give our boys (2.5 years and 13months) Prospan. It's honey tasting and can be given to them safely from 1 year old. This was recommended to my by our local chemist and we have found it really effective for a chesty cough. Since we started using it I also heard that some of my mother's group were also recommended this and found it really works.

However, I definitely agree with letting our little one's try and fight off as many bugs as possible. I think we often go for medication a little too early and then when we really need medication it doesn't work as effectively as it could. Anyway - I find that the Vicks and the vapourizer often helps clear the nose a little to help my boys breathe easier at night and if they have a feaver I give them panadol. I don't go for any other medication for a cold unless its a last resort.

Hope it helps

I'm feeling for you. Hope tonight is better.

Well we finally battled the cold and after 2 weeks of normality BANG another cold has hit her!!
I could scream.......... so back to the chemist and got the Prospan - thanks for the tip "elphelps"
I was going to get the "Brauer childrens cold and flu relief " from the website tip posted by "Fdarling61"
but the pharmacist said Prospan would work better.

Fingers crossed we can knock it on the head before it takes hold as she has to go to creche for the next 2 days while DH has to go into hospital for surgery and I need to drop him off and pick him up. The timing could not have been worse...aargh!!