Medications are not recommended for children with colds. Instead, parents should use natural, effective and safer treatments such as adding water, increasing nasal humidity, suctioning mucus, and elevating the bed.

Cold and flu medications can be dangerous for infants and toddlers, so mothers should be careful to only use medications as directed by their doctor. Commonly recommended ways to treat nasal congestion in children include saline sprays, steam inhalations, elevating the head of the bed, drinking plenty of fluids, and teaching the child to blow their nose.