11 Best Home Remedies and Tips for Treating Flu in Children

The new year has so far brought a number of diseases along with it this time. And you must be wadding through solutions and remedies known to you to fight them. A major part of the healing process for your loved ones, especially for your little ones are more home based treatment along with your lifestyle.

Like me, you too must be someone leaning towards a greener life right from the food you eat to the products you buy, even the way you take care of your own and your loved ones' health.
My son recently got infected by the seasonal flu. The ongoing swine flu got me more concerned as most of the symptoms were similar to it like a sore throat, cold, fever upto 102, nausea, headache. Instead of panicking and wasting time, I started with some known home remedies and tips so that the condition didn't get severe, before visiting the Pediatrician.

Having sick kid at home isn't easy.There is no magical wand that can make them feel better immediately. I am sure these remedies and tips will be helpful for you to get your little one out of that nasty flu.  

1. Lemon, Honey Juice: Lemon and honey have anti-bacterial properties. Start giving them at the very onset of cold and flu. I started immediately when my son started complaining of sore throat and cold.

1 tsp of fresh lemon juice with honey in a cup of warm water 2-3 times a day regularly will help your child fight with flu. (Honey is not recommended for children below 1 year)

2. Soup: Home made chicken soup is considered as the best home remedy which can beat nasal congestion caused by a flu due to its anti-bacterial properties. You can mix vegetables of your choice in your chicken soup like carrots, celery, garlic, onions. Give this to your child hot or warm.

However due to the ongoing swine flu I gave split red lentil (masoor dal) soup to my son instead. A handful of washed split red lentils along with vegetables of your choice, a pinch of turmeric powder and salt to taste is all you need to prepare the soup. Boil or pressure cook the ingredients with 2 cup of water. 3-4 whistles are enough to make the lentil soup ready to be enjoyed by your child. Give the soup to your child preferably hot or warm daily 2-3 times.

Note: Infant and toddler who have been introduced to solid food can have these soups. Not recommended for infants who have breast milk.

3. Rest: The most important tip for your ailing child is to make them rest. Get them catch plenty of sleep but undisturbed. The body-ache, cold, headache which accompanies the flu will drain their energy, and make your child tired. So lots and lots of sleep is needed by your little one.

4. Hydrate: It is very important to keep your child hydrated when down with a flu and fever as your child loses more water fighting with the fever. Give your child warm and hot liquid to stay hydrated. For infants breast-milk is the best. 

5. Hygiene:Infections such as flu, cold and other contagious diseases are spread through touch, ask your child to wash their hands properly. When they go out give them alcohol based hand wipes or sanitizers. Ask your child to cover their mouth with a handkerchief or tissue when they sneeze. Flu is airborne.

If your child is small have the other family members and friends wash their hands before touching or holding your baby.

Keep your child away from other sick people. You can request them to postpone their visit until they are fine.

Keep your child away from cigarette smokers. Your child will be at a risk for upper respiratory problem due to second-hand smoke.

6. Keep the House Clean: It is better to be extra careful if a person in the family catches a flu so that others don't get the infection. Use disinfectants to clean frequently touched objects such as your TV remote, doorknobs, the refrigerator door handles, utensils, your child's toys and areas such as kitchen, bathroom since flu virus survives upto 2 hours. Make your child use his or her own set of towels, utensils etc when down with flu until they are fine, to avoid spreading the flu to other family members.

7. Nose Blowing: Another important tip which will help your child with nasal congestion. If your child is 4 years and above teach them and ask them to blow their nose gently using a disposable tissues to clear the mucus which will help them breathe properly and make them feel comfortable. You can teach your child how to do it and ask your child imitate your action. Ask them not to touch or rub their eyes after blowing their nose in order to avoid an eye infection. Teach them to discard the used tissues in a trashcan and wash their hands properly whenever they touch their nose. If your child's nose becomes dry and sore, you can rub some child safe ointment or petroleum jelly around the nostrils.

8. Salt Water Gargle (4 years and above): Another best and simple tip to soothe your child's sore throat. It helps clear the mucus from your little one's throat. It is effective. I always wonder how it works but it does a miracle. The Pediatrician suggested this remedy for my son too, although I made him gargle at the very onset of his flu when he complained of a sore throat 3-4 times a day till his sore throat got cured completely. A glass of warm water and 1/2 tsp of salt is required each time you make your child gargle. If your child is a first timer then you can demonstrate and teach him/her to gargle. Ask them to spit the water out and not to swallow.

9. Lukewarm Water Sponge: A luke warm water sponge is another great tip for discomfort caused by a flu fever. You can sponge your child with luke warm water. However stop if your child starts feeling cold.

10. Steam Therapy: Another remedy for nasal congestion caused by flu is a steam therapy by inhaling steam or a steam shower. You can teach your child (4 years and above) to inhale steam to clear nasal congestion using a steam inhaler (you can put few drops of Eucalyptus oil or Peppermint oil if you want) or else give steam shower to your child, for that turn on your bathroom shower to the highest temp with the doors closed. Make your baby sit on your lap and let him/her inhale the steam in the bathroom for about 10-15 minutes until your baby feels better and get relief from the nasal and chest congestion. During the session you can sing a lullaby or gently massage your child to make him/her feel comfortable. Then with open hands clap on your child's chest and back (the part where the lungs are situated) firmer than when you make your small baby burp. Steam clean your child in the morning and before going to bed at night regularly. It works wonder to clear the nasal inflammation and blockage.

11. Vitamin D: The best and natural source of Vitamin D is sunlight. Sunlight helps the body increase the WBCs ( white blood cells) or lymphocytes which plays an important role in defending your body against infections. Your doctor might prescribe a Vitamin D supplement or advice a Vitamin D rich food in case of Vitamin D deficiency in your child. My son was advised small doses of sunlight by his Pediatrician (5 mins) during early morn hours or late day time just before sunset 2-3 times a week along with medication, as those are the times when the sun rays are filtered and harmless.

Apart from the above mentioned home remedies and tips the most important thing required by your child when down with flu and fever is your undivided attention and loving care. If you are a working mother stay back at home for some days or request for work from home until your child feels better. Or if Grandmas are there at home to nurse your sick child make sure old caregivers have received their annual flu shot.

However consult the Pediatrician if the fever still persists for a prolonged period and is over 102, your child experience difficulty in breathing,vomiting or nausea, chest pain, congested cough with yellow or green colored mucus, feels extremely lethargic unlike a normal sick child, diarrhea, decreased tendency to urinate.

Have more home remedies and tips for flu? Please do share them below in the comment box. Until then may you and your loved ones stay well!