When we have cough and cold we usually seek the over the counter drugs but we can’t do the same for infant or babies as it can be life threatening for them.

It’s always good to consult a pediatrician for cough and cold but there are few home remedies too we can try for our little ones to ensure a fast recovery and reduce their discomfort.

For babies 0 to 6 months 

Some most Popular remedies –

1. Breastmilk :- This is the wonder drink for infants , as this is loaded with antibodies to build immunity to fight against all types of germs and bacteria. Also keeps your little one hydrated.
2. Nasal Saline Drop:- Pediatrician would have prescribed pediatric saline drops for infants for little one. Clean the nostrils gently and then to put the drops in. Keep the head tilted so that the medicine doesn’t flow out.
3. Oil Massage:- Mustard oil and garlic has anti bacterial properties and warming effect which helps baby to get relieved from congestion. Take about ¼ cup of mustard oil and heat it. Take one or two garlic cloves. Crush them lightly and add them to the mustard oil. Wait for it to turn brown, then remove it from the heat. Don’t burn it.
4. Sanitizing your and baby’s hands:- Keep baby’s and your hands sanitized thoroughly at regular intervals with antibacterial baby wipes or soap

Some Gramdmother’s remedies –

1. Drumstick leaves hair oil:- The tender green moringa or drumstick leaves are picked. Warm 1/2 cup of coconut oil in a heavy bottomed wok (kadai) and add a handful of moringa leaves.Once the leaves get wilted oil is ready.
2. Turmeric Paste:- Mix turmeric powder with a little water to form paste. Take it in a ladle and heat it. Switch off once warm. Apply the Luke warm turmeric paste on chest, forehead and feet. The heat from the turmeric can absorb the phlegm.
3. Camphor:- Heat coconut oil and add little powdered camphor in it. After it has cooled, pour 4 to 5 drops to your palm and apply it evenly over the chest of your little one.
4. Garlic and Ajwain Potli:- Garlic and carom seeds are known for their powerful antibacterial properties. Heat a pan, put crushed garlic and ajwain seeds and once cooled make it into a potli or tight pouch. You can do that with the help of a clean muslin cloth. Place this potli in the baby cot or cradle where baby sleeps. The garlicky ajwain smoke emanating from the potli will help the baby as it helps to open the blocked nose and provides relief from congestion.
5. Eucalyptus oil:- The oil can be also be sprinkled in the baby bedding.

For babies 6 months +

Most Popular remedies –

1. Carrot juice :-Juice extracted from fresh carrots, diluted with boiled cooled water at room temperature can be given to babies of 6 months and above.
2. Soups:– Add some soups to his diet. Soups are excellent comfort foods during cold and cough. You can provide warm vegetable soup. Tomato and garlic soup also called rasam.
3. Steam:-You can try steaming the room using a vaporizer or giving a warm shower.

Some Grandmother’s remedies –

1. Offering warm water with ajwain or cumin:- Give warm water at regular intervals to keep the baby well hydrated.Take a glass of water and add     a small pinch of ajwain, carom or cumin/jeera to it. Wait for the water to boil. Cool the water and  use it.
2. Ajwain kada:- Kada with ajwain or omam is excellent for cold and cough in babies.

Recipe for Ajwain Kada

Ingredients:

Ajwain or oman – 1 teaspoon

Tulsi or basil leaves – 8

Dry ginger powder – 1/2 teaspoon (optional)

Clove – 1

Black pepper – 5

Turmeric – 1/2 teaspoon

Jaggery – 1/3 cup

Water – 1/2 cup

Method:

Take all the ingredients in a heavy bottomed vessel and boil for 10 minutes or the quantity    reduces     to 3/4th. Strain, cool and feed it to your baby. The dosage is 1 teaspoon twice a day after meals. If  you are giving allopathic cough syrups, do not give this ajwain kada.

PS – Check with baby’s doctor before giving anything new and trying any of the remedies.