14 Cold and Flu Fighters

Before that cough from their bedroom claims the rest of your sleep, know that you are prepared with these everyday cold and flu fighting essentials.

No school, guilt-free TV, and mom waiting on you hand and foot. You've got this sick thing licked, kiddo. Tell mom you need to soothe that sore or dry throat with a summertime popsicle. These sweet sticks are made of real fruit juices and purees, and will keep you hydrated (which helps with the healing process).

You're trying to power them back up, but giving kids suffering from diarrhea sport drinks filled with sugar and salt isn't ideal. Child-friendly electrolyte drinks like Pedialyte are specially formulated to provide the proper amounts of sugar and salt for rehydration, for when they need it. While it's available as a liquid, we like that it's in freezie format too (for that kid appeal).

Over three months of age, acetaminophen gets an ‘A' from experts for dealing with fever. Tempra, Tylenol and other brands come in liquid, tablet or suppository form, and should help reduce the fever so everyone feels better, including you.

Chicken soup gets around. It's apparently good for the soul and the body. Recent studies show it can help a congested nose, too. The carbohydrates from the noodles will help with energy, adding vegetables boosts the nutrients (and therefore your immune system) and salt (in moderation) helps regulate your hydration. So when they're sick, warm some up.

The diminished time spent outdoors in winter means less time to soak up some Vitamin D. In lieu of available sunshine, give everyone a drop of ‘D' to help ward off illness. Kids and adults have differing daily-recommended amounts, so check with a pharmacist or doctor before anyone downs their dosage.

Oscillococcinum may not be for everyone (and not everyone can say it, either), but it has become one of the more popular homeopathic preparations for warding off the flu, or fighting flu-like symptoms. Made from duck liver and heart, it has been used all over the world for over 65 years.

According to experts, the best advice for staying healthy (besides moving into a sterile bubble) is hand washing. If your kids are diligent about this practice, give them something that won't strip their skin of essential oils in the process. This super soap is loaded with moisturizing Vitamin E, organic orange and mango extracts, and is SLS/sulfate free.

It nets out that the more sleep you get, the better you feel. So as strange as a neti-pot may look to a newbie, fans will tell you it can be life-changing when you are congested. The pot works by pushing warm, salted air up through your nasal cavity and down the other side. We didn't say it was pretty, but we can say it works.

Kids who can't breathe, can't sleep. Nasal strips to relieve stuffed passages sound superb. These drug-free strips promise to improve airflow by opening up the nasal passages. They adhere to the top of the nose and are sized for little faces, so they won't be uncomfortable or fall off. Sounds clear to us. (For kids ages 5 to 12).

We wouldn't pour it on a wound, but pouring it into our mouths (mixed with water) and gargling can provide relief from a painfully sore throat. Have some plain table salt on hand (and don't grab your seasoned salt in confusion), and soon you may be able to swallow pain-free.

Petroleum-based chest rubs have been around for ages (your parents likely used them on you) but today's topical rubs are more mindful of Mother Nature. Dimpleskins' Sniffles Eucalyptus Chest Rub, made in Canada, is made of eucalyptus, lemon, myrtle and rosemary, and can be applied all over—neck, chest, back, under the nose and soles of the feet—to help relieve symptoms of cough and cold. For ages 1 and up.

There are certain things you thought you'd never do—and then you became a parent. Remember this as you grab globs of guck out of their little noses. Using a nasal aspirator with good suction will help clear a stuffy nose for kids who are too small for saline drops or other remedies. It may not appeal to you, but you'll just have to suck it up. Literally.

One day it might make you a little misty, remembering those early days when they were ill and needed you so badly. In the meantime, you can give them some misty breathing room with the MyFine Dolphin Humidifer, which, besides being cute for a kids' room, offers ten continuous hours of noiseless running time.

After a series of sleepless nights, no school, no playdates, fevers and cranky moods, you're all going to go a bit crackers. Always have a stash of crackers on hand as it could be the only thing they'll feel like snacking on (and they go well with chicken soup). These plain, whole-grain salted squares have been around forever, and may be the answer to feeding a stomach that is starving but also easily upset.