This original post started out with light hearted banter about my 3 year old “window licker” bringing home a cold to our 8 week old. I am editing here to add a much more serious tone. We survived that cold only to loop right into two more. With each new round of symptoms, our little one grew sicker. As a Naturopathic Doctor, I knew that his young immune system was just getting stronger with each sickness but as a tired mom, it was pretty scary. His first cold at 8 weeks presented with typical cold symptoms: runny nose, red eyes, sneezing and mildly elevated temperature. By the time we reached round three, he was 12 weeks. His symptoms were much more extreme and included higher fever (101), very thick, non-productive sinus congestion, cough and irritability. He was gasping for air, at times lethargic and refused to nurse. The acute care pediatrician checked his temperature, oxygen saturation and examined his lungs. He recommended Tylenol and sent us home. I used my judgement and was able to avoid the Tylenol this time around. If Tylenol was in his best interest, of course I would use it. Alternatives such as baby Motrin are not recommended before 6 months.

WHY DO WE PREFER TO AVOID TYLENOL?

• Tylenol lowers fever. The ideal microbe killing temperature is 102-103F
• Tylenol depletes glutathione, a very important antioxidant

ARE THERE ALTERNATIVES TO TYLENOL?

This really depends on how the kiddo is presenting and how high the fever is. If they are jovial and acting like themselves, these are good options. If they are lethargic and fussy like our little one was, call the pediatrician right away.

• Sponge baths: Tepid (81–92F) or Neutral (93–96F) with gentle friction to promote circulation and improve heat loss.
• For older kiddos and adults, plants such as yarrow, linden and meadowsweet can help induce sweating.

BELOW IS THE PROTOCOL EACH OF US FOLLOWED DURING ILLNESS:

Dad: 

Symptoms: fatigue, headache, congestion, fever

• L-Lysine: 1000mg twice per day
• Vitamin A 100,000IU once per day for 5 days
• Vitamin C: 1500mg twice per day 
• Vitamin D: 5,000IU per day
• Zinc: 30mg per day
• Organic Elderberry syrup: 1 tsp (2,000mg elderberry concentrate) twice per day
• Herb Pharm Virrattack: 30 drops twice per day 

Mom (breast-feeding): 

Symptoms: sore throat, fatigue, headache, acrid runny nose, sneezing

• Vitamin C: 1500mg twice per day 
• Vitamin D: 10,000IU per day
• Zinc: 30mg per day
• Fish oil with extra EPA compared to the normal prenatal (500mg EPA as an anti-inflammatory)
• Organic Elderberry syrup: 1 tsp (2,000mg elderberry concentrate) twice per day
• Prenatal vitamin

3 year old: 

Symptoms: Fever, wet cough, runny nose, sneezing

• Designs for Health BioFizz Immune powder: 1/2 scoop twice per day (zinc, vitamin C, resveratrol, quercetin, vitamin D)
• Organic Elderberry syrup: 1 tsp (2,000mg elderberry concentrate) twice per day
• Apex Energetics TumeroActive: 1 tsp twice per day
• Homeopathics:
  • First cold: Chamomila 30C: 3 pellets once per day for 3 days. This remedy was chosen due to his extreme irritability and inconsolability.
  • Second cold: Pulsatilla 30C: 3 pellets one time. I chose Pulsatilla because this time our son was not irritable but instead while febrile, was clingy, sweet, quiet, wanted to be held and had copious green/yellow nasal discharge. His lethargy lifted right away and he started acting like himself through the fever. 

8-12 week old newborn: 

Symptoms: fever, runny nose, cough, sneezing, red eyes

• Vitamin D 800IU per day
• Feed at the breast on demand (baby’s saliva informs momma’s immune system to secrete antibodies into the milk)
• Saline nose spray (we used nose Frida) 2 sprays per nostril as needed and before steaming
• Steam treatments:
  • Run the shower on hot for 10 minutes
  • Run a diffuser with 3 drops eucalyptus oil
  • Sit in the bathroom for 3 minute intervals and 1 minute breaks in between x 3
  • Spray the nose before each steam session
• Optionally (if there are secretions visible in the nose): aspirate the mucus. Caution: too much aspiration can inflame the nasal sinus
• Magic socks: soak a pair of socks in ice water, wring out completely and put on the infant’s feet. Cover with dry socks. Leave on until the socks are dry or warm
• Nebulizer: sterile saline and flow-by technique
• Vitamin A: 10,000IU per day for 3 days at 13 weeks

I hope these interventions help if your littles bring home a summer cold. I plan to run through the house with some vinegar and essential oil cleaners such as thieves to ensure we aren’t passing this around again.

As we move into fall and then winter, please see my article on the seasonal flu for tips on how to stay healthy. https://emergenaturally.wordpress.com/2021/09/20/the-seasonal-flu-and-8-steps-to-reduce-risk/