OTC Cold Meds for 5 Year Old

Updated on May 29, 2013
C.S. asks from Rockford, IL
10 answers

I normally never even consider giving my kids OTC medicine for a cold and have no idea whats on the market but we are flying to Disney tomorrow and my 5 year old has a cold! I don't want to get up on the plane and have him be in pain because of the pressure so I want to start giving him something today. Any suggestions on what brand? No fever just stuffy nose and cough. He does not know how to swallow pills yet so it would have to be liquid or fast melt.

Thanks!

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L.R.

answers from Boston on

I usually go to the pediatric aisle of the pharmacy and get anything that says Children's cough and cold (liquid cough syrup). Robutussin and Nyquil usually work well.

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B..

answers from Dallas on

There are mucinex meds that come like that. They taste bad but they used to be perscription and it's really good for stuff like this. But drink a lot of fluids when you take it plus travel alone, will dry you out. I'd recommend a drink in hand at all times for this child.

J.P.

answers from Lakeland on

I had used Little Noses decongestant drops for my daughter to fly with a head cold. It is a spray and not as strong as adult sprays. As long as the nasal passages are open he shouldn’t have a problem with the pressure. It comes in a small bottle (less than 1 oz.) so you can bring it on the plane. It worked great for us, no crying or pain during the flight.

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M.K.

answers from Columbus on

I used to always rub a little Vicks VapoRub on the chest. As far as I know, it's safe for any age. It works wonders on opening everything so they can breathe.

As for the cough - I don't think there's anything out there that works on coughs. Besides, I think it's good if they just cough all the junk out. Have tissues handy and instruct your child if they cough anything up ( I know it's gross!) but to put it in the tissue and throw it away.

Good luck and I hope you're still able to enjoy Disney!!!

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L.O.

answers from Detroit on

I only buy single ingredient drugs.. plain pseudaphed. for the congestion. I like guaffenisen for coughs.. ibuprofen for pain or fever..

I think you just need the pseudaphed to open up his sinuses..

you have to ask the pharmacist for it..

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A.V.

answers from Washington DC on

Not much you can do. You can talk to the pediatrician about a low dose of Benadryl but when my DD was sick (4 yrs old), the nurse said there was very very little recommended at this age.

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O.O.

answers from Kansas City on

http://m.kidshealth.org/parent/general/eyes/flying_ears.html

If anything, I'd use some nasal spray.
This article seems to suggest decongestants, etc might do more harm than good....

Mucinex seems to be O. thing peds recommend...

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G.B.

answers from Oklahoma City on

I use real Sudafed that I get from a small family owned pharmacy. The larger ones don't do any ordering on their own. I get mine from Rugby pharmaceuticals. I don't know what pharmacy suppliers your local ones use but mine has it in stock all the time.

It opens the nasal passages and helps the mucus get runny to it will come out. If you take an allergy med it might dry it up but it is still stuck in their head and it will sit there and fester eventually coming out as a sinus, ear, eye, or some other form of infection/drainage that is green and yellow.

S.G.

answers from Grand Forks on

We use Tylenol Cold + Cough Chewable when they need to take cold meds.

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L.*.

answers from Chicago on

Call your doctor to find out the dosage of Mucinex or some kind (Target brand) mucus relief for kids. Get him some saline spray and tylenol . Other than that just lots of liquids and chicken soup (really its proven that it works). Have a magical trip !

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