Flu symptoms in babies can be combated with some home remedies that may be recommended by the pediatrician according to the baby’s age. A good option is orange juice with acerola, which is rich in vitamin C, helping to strengthen the immune system and fighting flu in babies over 6 months more effectively.
In the case of newborns and babies up to 6 months, it is important to invest in breastfeeding, because breast milk is capable of providing nutrients and defense cells to the baby, in addition to keeping it hydrated.
It is important that before starting to use any home remedy, your pediatrician is consulted, as this will ensure that its use is safe and has benefits for the baby.
Top home remedies
Some home remedies that can help cure flu in babies are:
1. Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding can be considered the best home remedy for flu for babies, because through breastfeeding it is possible to promote the functioning of their immune system, as breast milk is rich in proteins and defense cells, promoting the fight against flu symptoms. and facilitating the baby’s recovery. Check out other benefits of breastfeeding for your baby’s health.
Furthermore, breast milk is rich in water, leaving the baby more hydrated and helping to make secretions more fluid and easier to eliminate, relieving nasal congestion. See other ways to relieve nasal congestion in babies up to 6 months.
2. Carrot syrup
Carrot syrup is rich in vitamin A and has antioxidant properties that strengthen the immune system, and can be offered to babies who have already introduced food.
In addition, carrot syrup contains honey in its composition, which has antimicrobial and expectorant action, helping to fight infections and alleviate baby flu symptoms, such as cough, phlegm and sore throat.
However, the consumption of honey is not recommended for children under 1 year of age due to the greater risk of developing infections caused by the toxins produced by the bacteria. Clostridium botulinum. In these cases, honey should not be added when preparing the syrup.
Ingredients
- 1 medium carrot;
- 1/2 glass of water;
- 2 tablespoons of brown sugar;
- 1 teaspoon of honey (only for babies over 1 year old).
Preparation Mode
Grate the carrot and place it in a small clean and dry glass container, add the water, sugar and cover. Place in the fridge for about 15 to 20 minutes, until the carrot releases a lot of juice. Give this juice to the baby several times a day.
After preparing the syrup, it must be stored in the refrigerator and used for a maximum of 1 week. After this period, discard any unused quantity.
For children over 1 year old, honey can be added to the syrup. However, its use is contraindicated in cases of allergy to honey, pollen or propolis.
3. Orange juice with acerola
Orange juice with acerola has a large amount of vitamin C that helps increase the baby’s defenses and can be offered to babies over 6 months old according to the food introduction guidelines.
Ingredients
Preparation mode
Blend the orange juice and acerolas in a blender and offer it to the baby, several times a day, after meals.
It is important that this home remedy is consumed immediately after preparation so that the vitamin C present in the fruits is not lost.
4. Onion tea
Onion tea has dilating and expectorant properties, helping to relieve coughs and airway congestion, promoting the baby’s improvement.
This tea can be offered to babies over 1 year old, as their digestive system is still very sensitive.
Ingredients
- Brown skin of 1 large onion;
- 1 cup of water.
Preparation mode
Place the onion skin in water and bring to a boil. After boiling, strain, let it cool and give the onion tea to the baby until the flu symptoms are relieved.
5. Mint syrup
Mint syrup can be recommended for babies over 1 year old and should be used according to the pediatrician’s instructions. This syrup helps relieve coughs and general discomfort, as well as reducing the formation of mucus in the airways.
Ingredients
- 10 mint leaves;
- 1 liter of water;
- 1/2 dessert spoon of sugar.
Preparation mode
Place the mint leaves in boiling water and leave for about 5 minutes. Then strain, transfer to another pan, add sugar, mix and bring to a boil. Then let it cool and give it to the baby.
It is important to pay attention to the amount of sugar added to the syrup to avoid promoting the development of cavities and childhood diabetes.
Other recommendations
It is important that home remedies are recommended and used according to the pediatrician’s guidance, as this ensures that the remedies are safe. Furthermore, it is important to keep the baby well hydrated, as this way it is possible to promote a faster improvement in symptoms, and it is recommended to encourage breastfeeding or give the baby water and juices, in the case of babies over 6 months.
Another way to help alleviate flu symptoms in your baby is to make the environment a little more humid, as this will help the movement of the cilia present in the mucous membrane of the nose, favoring the elimination of secretions.
Bibliography
- Natalie I Mazur, Nicole M Horsley, Janet A Englund, Maaike Nederend, Amalia Magaret, Azad Kumar, Shamir R Jacobino, Cornelis AM de Haan, Subarna K Khatry, Steven C LeClerq … Show more. Breast Milk Prefusion F Immunoglobulin G as a Correlate of Protection Against Respiratory Syncytial Virus Acute Respiratory Illness . Oxford Academic. 2018
- Rut Benita Yero Haber University of Oriente (Cuba). Quality evaluation of 10% syrup from the fresh bulb of Allium cepa L. for the treatment of respiratory conditions. Medicinal Plants Researchgate University of the East. 2020
