5 All-Natural Remedies for when Baby is Sick

Do you remember the panicky feeling you had the first time your baby was sick? It’s scary and overwhelming. You don’t know what’s considered normal and what’s concerning. The first time Leyton had a cold was at only a few months old, so I called my next door neighbor and sweet friend to come over and listen to him to see if she thought it was “OK.” She has two kids older than Leyton so I figured she was the pro. I also called the doctor’s office and tried not to panic. Deep breaths, Heather. LOL! Looking back on it now, it’s so silly, but you just don’t know any better.

It’s ironic I’m writing this post now because Leyton is again sick with a cough. He has lots of congestion like his parents often do…thank you allergies. *Insert eye roll here. As a mom to a 16 month old, I now can look back on those first few times Leyton was sick and see that it really wasn’t that big of a deal. Thank you, Lord for your provision in that area! Here’s 5 things I’d recommend doing when your baby has a cough or cold to help them feel better quickly in the most natural way possible.

As I’m watching one of my best friends go through cancer and learning about all the additives in everything due to Whole30, I’m more aware of all-natural products and wanting to incorporate them more than EVER! SO…I’ve rounded up some of my best all-natural remedies for when baby is sick below for you.

5 All-Natural Remedies for When Baby is Sick

1. Run the humidifier & do a steam bath: Get a humidifier and keep it in their room. I recommend cleaning it often so it doesn’t get moldy like ours did. 🙁 We just bought this one, so we are hopeful it will do better! We also sit in the bathroom with him while the shower runs and the door is shut so he can breathe in the steam to help clear his little sinuses out. Sometimes, we’ll put Leyton in the baby bath tub at one end of the bath tub while the other half has the hot shower running so he can breathe in the steam WHILE he’s getting his bath. Double duty!
2. Use Maty’s chest rub: I love that we are using something that is all-natural. Bonus? Leyton loves playing with the container as a distraction while I put it on him. 😉 It is safe for 3 months or older, and is petroleum and menthol free. It provides soothing comfort and relieves cough and congestion. They are also currently giving away all natural health prizes so make sure you enter to win here! You can connect with Maty’s on Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, and Facebook.
3. Give more fluids/water: Depending on how old your baby is, you can give them water or milk/formula to keep their bodies well hydrated. While milk won’t help thin out the mucous, if your baby can drink water it will. Also, if a baby has diarrhea it will help replenish fluids lost.
4. Suction out and use saline drops: We love using either the Nosefrida or the bulb suction from the hospital with some saline drops to clear out baby’s nose. If one won’t clear it, usually the other will.
5. Sleep more: Your baby may want to sleep more while he’s sick so abort the rigid schedule and let baby’s body heal while sleeping as needed. We let Leyton nap for longer and sleep in as needed so his body can recover while he sleeps! Leyton is wearing his Sleepdeedee sleep sack to stay warm in the pics above.

I recently got an oil diffuser and we’ve been putting a few drops of lemon and lavender in it at night to help with his congestion and relaxation as well. What all-natural remedies for when your baby is sick do you use? I’d love to hear in the comments below!

Photos: Casey Marie Photography

Thanks so much to Maty’s for partnering with me on this post.