Coping with your toddler's coughs and colds

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Toddlers and pre-schoolers

You may have a healthy tot, but starting childcare or nursery usually means your little one comes into contact with more viruses than his immune system has seen before.

Most children find it hard to blow their noses, but living with a sniffler can be torture. If he's struggling to master blowing rather than sniffing in, encourage him with a game of blow football. Get him to blow a rolled-up piece of tissue across the table with his nose. Have some antibacterial kitchen spray ready, though, and a word of warning: encourage him to blow gently, any harder and it could lead to sinus problems and further congestion.

Try to make sure your toddler or pre-schooler gets plenty of rest, bringing bedtime forward is a great way to do this. Also, feed little and often, making sure he has plenty to drink. Ice-lollies are often a good way to get fluids into a child who is otherwise reluctant to eat or drink.

Your little one will probably prefer to stay at home, but some nurseries do accept children with colds. You'll need to check out the policy at your nursery, but a little fresh air certainly won't harm your child. However, if it's cold, the change in temperature may bring on a coughing fit.

Some supplements, such as vitamin C, zinc and echinacea, are supposed to help boost the immune system, although it's yet to be scientifically proven. Your best bet is simply to ensure your little one has a healthy, balanced diet with plenty of fresh fruit, vegetables and fluids.

How do I know it's just a cold and not flu?

It can be hard to distinguish colds from flu, particularly in winter, when both are common. Flu symptoms are usually more severe, although this varies from case to case.

Flu tends to start suddenly, with a higher body temperature, and leaves a child feeling extremely weak. Whenever you have a viral illness, such as a cold or flu, you're more prone to getting a second bacterial infection on top of it. This may cause a chest or ear infection, sinusitis or tonsillitis. These can occur without a cold and may also be caused by viruses ? all this can make it quite hard to know exactly what it is you're suffering from.

By goodtoknow