is bathing bad for babies with cough and colds?

Shawnn - posted on 02/05/2013

I'm going to try the vicks on myself tonight...I'm tired of this crud too!

Sugar - posted on 02/05/2013

thanks liz! noted!

Liz - posted on 02/05/2013

It's definitely actively helpful to bathe them, if the room is warm, the water is warm and there is a good amount of steam in the air. My daughter has asthma and her specialist pediatrician for asthma and immunology has confirmed with us that bathing her in a warm and steamy environment is good for her when she has a cold.

It helps her cough up the mucus and keep her airway clear.

It's of course important to make sure that the child stays warm after getting out of the bath, but that's easy enough with towels and cuddles. :)

A spoonful of honey also works well as a cough suppressant and a slight balm to an irritated throat, which can in itself cause more of a coughing spasm.

ETA: Honey of course can only be given to children over a year old.

Sugar - posted on 02/05/2013

thanks a lot shawn will try that vicks thing.. and thanks a million for the MIL advise (",)

Shawnn - posted on 02/05/2013

Well, I haven't tried this one yet, but I think it would actually work...

Get some Vic's vaporub, and put on the bottom of their feet, cover with socks and put 'em to bed. I'm told that it not only clears the congestion, but also soothes the cough.

Um...what I did that worked best with my kiddos was the humidifiers in each room, and children's tylenol for the temperature. We get really dry in this area, so I have misters running almost constantly!

One thing to remember about our moms and MILs in general...they did raise kids, but advances in the last few years have made what "they did" obsolete in some areas. Take it with a grain of salt, smile, and say "thanks, mom, I'll look into that". Eventually, they'll get tired of hearing that answer, and find someone else to nit pick for awhile!

Good luck, Sugar!

Sugar - posted on 02/05/2013

hahaha!! you got that right! thanks for the answer! just what i needed a - confirmation!...im kinda stressed out already she keep repeating it again and again and again feels like forever..! i think i need to bring her to my next doctors appointment. she take a bath everyday with super hot water!, except...she has fever, cough, colds or whatever sickness she feels like having.... and her soures? her same old friends...


can u recommend other ways to soothe my babies cough? and cold? thanks!

Shawnn - posted on 02/05/2013

Bathing is fine. In fact, the steamy conditions could actually help the kids.

Ask your mother in law for her sources! I've never, even in old wives tales, heard that bathing while ill was a bad idea. It's usually one of the first recommended steps, since it relaxes the kids and lets them slow down a little!

LOL...is she one of those "we bathe once a month whether we need it or not" type of people??