You’ve probably already noticed that your immune system is at an all time low during pregnancy. Perhaps you have previously gloated that you ‘never get ill’, and now seem to be constantly fighting the sniffles. You may feel like all it takes is someone to sneeze in the same town as you, and you’ll spend the next two weeks in bed with a head cold.

It’s important to check all medicines are safe to use during pregnancy, and sadly with a cold, you may find that many aren’t. You should always check with your healthcare provider before taking a medicine during pregnancy. Sadly, you may find many of your go-to cold medicines are not suitable for use in pregnancy. Decongestants are considered unsafe for use during the first trimester, and experts disagree over whether they are safe later in the pregnancy.

To avoid using decongestants and other drug-based treatments altogether, give the following natural cold treatments a try:

• Natural decongestants – to try getting rid of your stuffy nose without reverting to hard drugs, you could use eucalyptus as a natural decongestant. Try placing a few drops of eucalyptus oil in an oil burner to help you breathe more easily. You could also try soaking in the bath, or having a nice hot shower, to let the steam work its magic on your sinuses.
• Natural throat soothers – to rid yourself of your raw, sore throat, try a soothing hot drink. Boil the kettle, and add about one teaspoon of freshly grated ginger to a teapot. Add the water, and let it sit for a couple of minutes. Decant into your favourite mug, and add a teaspoon of lemon juice and about a teaspoon of the sweetener of your choice (for example, honey, syrup or agave).
• Natural remedy for a cough – if your scratchy throat is keeping you coughing through the night, try gargling with salt and water. This may help to relieve the soreness in your throat, and prevent more coughing fits.
• Speed up recovery – to give yourself a fighting chance of being better by the weekend, make sure you get plenty of rest. You should also be sure to eat healthily and drink enough water to increase your chance of a speedy recovery.

If you are suffering from a fever, you may want to use medication to try and bring down your temperature. Check with your pharmacist or healthcare provider to find out which medications are safe to use during pregnancy.

What are your tried and tested natural cold treatments during pregnancy?

Written by Fiona, proud owner of a toddler, @fiona_peacock

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2017. All rights reserved.

At one time or another, your baby is going to come down with a cough. But your baby’s cough can mean different things. For example, a cough can be a symptom of a virus or it could occasionally indicate something more serious. Either way, when your baby starts coughing, it can make any new parent a little nervous. Understanding the causes and knowing how to deal with a cough can help you and your baby feel a bit more comfortable.

Causes of Coughs in Babies

The most common causes of a cough in babies are respiratory infections, such as a cold, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and croup. Most babies will become infected with at least one of the above viruses by the time they are two years old.

Symptoms of all three illnesses are similar, but there are subtle differences. For instance, if your baby has RSV, his cough may be worse than a cough from a cold. Babies with croup tend to have a deep, barking cough that worsens at night.

When is Coughing Serious?

In many cases, coughing is not that serious. But there can be instances where coughing is a sign of something more worrisome. For example, coughing can occur if something is caught in your baby’s throat. If your baby starts coughing suddenly while eating, it may be due to a piece of food getting stuck. Try not to panic. If your baby is coughing, it means he is still moving air in and out and will usually be able to cough out the food.

Whooping cough, which occurs due to a bacterial infection, can also lead to severe coughing. Babies who develop whooping cough may have loud, rapid coughing that does not appear to be accompanied by cold symptoms. Whooping cough can be life-threatening in babies and requires immediate treatment. Fortunately, there is a vaccine to prevent whooping cough.

Of course, if your baby is coughing and having trouble breathing, always call for immediate medical help. There may also be other instances when a trip to your pediatrician is a good idea. For example, if your baby is less than three months old and has a cough, it’s best to get her checked out. Also, if your little one is older than three months but is wheezing, has a cough that lasts longer than a few days or coughs up yellow or green mucus, you should also see your doctor.

When it comes to treating your baby’s cough, it’s also best to talk to your doctor first. Don’t give any medications without getting your doctor’s approval. Cough medicine is usually not recommended for babies under two. In most cases, your baby’s cough will clear up without any specific treatment. In the meantime, a little extra cuddling and snuggle time may be just what the doctor ordered.

Written by MaryAnn DePietro @writerlady34

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.