Common Home Remedies

[CilmiSabca]

The doctor recommends suctioning baby's nose to ease the congestion of a cold. Cold compresses, you hear, are the best way to treat a burn. And steam is ideal for treating a baby with the croup. But just how do you suction a baby? What is a cold compress? And how do you build up enough steam to ease the croup? This guide to home remedies will give you the answers.
COLD COMPRESSES
Fill a basin (a styrofoam bucket or cooler is best) with cold tap water and a tray or two of ice cubes. Dip a clean washcloth into the water, wring it out, and place it over the affected part. Re-chill the cloth when the cold dissipates.
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COLD SOAKS
Fill a basin (a styrofoam bucket or cooler is best) with cold water and a tray or two of ice cubes. Immerse the injured part for 30 minutes, if possible. Repeat in 30 minutes, if necessary. Do not apply ice directly to baby's skin.
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COOL COMPRESSES
Fill a basin with cool water from the tap. Dip a washcloth or towel into the water, squeeze it out, and apply to injured part. Re-dip when the cloth no longer seems wet and cool.
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EYE SOAKS
For eyes, dip a clean washcloth in a warm, not hot, water (test it for comfort on your inner wrist or forearm), and apply to baby's eye for 5 to 10 minutes every 3 hours.
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HEATING PAD
A hot-water bottle, which has no cords or heating element, is usually safer to use with an infant. If you use heating pad, re-read directions before each use, be sure the pad and cord are in good condition, and cover entirely with a cloth diaper if the pad doesn't have a cloth covering. Keep the temperature low, do not leave baby, and use no more than 15 minutes at a time.
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HOT COMPRESSES
See "Warm compresses" Never use hot compresses on a baby.
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HOT SOAKS
Fill a basin with water that feels comfortably hot on your inner wrist or arm (not to your fingers). Never use water you haven't tested first. Immerse injured part in basin.
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HOT-WATER BOTTLE
Fill a hot-water bottle with water that is just warm to the touch. Wrap the bottle in a towel or cloth diaper before applying to baby's skin.
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HUMIDIFIER
See "Steam"
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ICE PACK
Use a commercial ice pack you keep in the freezer or a plastic bag filled with ice cubes (and a couple of paper towels to absorb the melting ice) and closed with a twist tie or rubber band. Also usable: an unopened can of frozen juice concentrate; an unopened package of frozen food. Do not apply ice directly to a baby's skin.
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INCREASED FLUIDS
Frequently nurse the baby who is solely breastfed. Give formula to a bottle baby, unless the doctor says not to. Give water between feedings, and when baby is taking juice dilute half-and-half with water. But do not force fluids unless the doctor tells you to. When baby is vomiting, tiny sips of fluids spaced out stay down better than larger quantities (See specific illnesses for prefered fluids).
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NASAL ASPIRATION
With baby held upright, squeez bulb of aspiration and place tip carefully in one nostril. Slowly release bulb to draw mucus into it. Repeat with second nostril. If mucus is dried and caked, irrigate with salt water (see below) and aspirate again.
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SALT-WATER IRRIGATION
Though it's possible to use a homemade salt salution (add 1/8 teaspoon salt to 1/2 cup cooled boiled water), commercial saline solutions are safer. Put two drops in each nostril with clean small dropper to soften crusts and clear congestion. Wait 5 to 10 minutes and suction with a nasal aspirator. Do not use irrigation or commercial nose drops for more than three days, because such use can worsen congestion.
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STEAM
Use a cold-mist humidifier or a steam vaporizer placed out of baby's reach to moisten the air; or place a bowl of hot water on a hot radiator (out of baby's reach) or a kettle  or pot of hot water on the stove in the same room as baby. Close the bathroom door, turn on the hot water in the shower full blast, and fill the room with steam. Remain with baby in the bathroom untill  the croupy cough stops. If cough has not improved in ten minutes, check with the doctor.
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WARM COMPRESSES
Fill a basin (a styrofoam bucket or cooler is best) with warm (it should not feel uncomfortable on your upper arm), not hot water. Dip a clean wash-cloth in the water, wring it out, and place it over affected part as directed by baby's doctor.