When such a small child has a fever and cold, there are several things you can do at home to take care of the child. One of the important things before you think about giving the child a bath is to wait for the fever to break. A fever breaking indicates that the body has reached a high internal temperature and can go no further. Once this stage is reached, the body fights back by helping the body to regulate its own temperature. This is when the child will start sweating and the fever is considered to be "broken". Once this stage has been reached, you should know that the worst is over. It is not advisable to try and bathe the child before this stage has been reached. Till then, you can sponge the child in warm water to which you can add some cologne. This will help to bring down the fever. Cologne helps to reduce the body temperature. After the fever has broken, however, you can bathe the child. A hot water bath is the best way to go. You should also add a few drops of eucalyptus oil to the child's bathwater. This will be of tremendous help in easing congestion and phlegm. It is also advisable that you run plenty of hot water over the child's head and body to help with the congestion. This will make the phlegm flow faster and easier. Just remember that you should not bring the child out in an air conditioned environment right after the bath. This can actually worsen a cold and increase congestion as well. Keep the child warm as much as possible.
For a child suffering from a cold, you should try to make it drink hot water. If they do not like the tastes you can add a teaspoon of honey to it, or even a pinch of sugar. This will help to loosen phlegm to a large extent. You should also make a paste of one teaspoon honey, half a teaspoon of ginger juice and four peppercorns. This combination when simply swallowed will help with congestion to a very large extent. This can be given thrice a day. Giving the child hot milk to which turmeric powder has been added just before bedtime will also help to heal from within. Turmeric has healing properties which will help to cure the child better and faster. Make sure the milk is as hot as can be taken.
answered by G R