8 Natural Remedies When Your Baby Sounds Croupy
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For the past three nights Micah has concluded the best place to sleep is on my chest. While I’m sitting up. It’s pretty inconvenient, but I know it’s for a good cause. Micah’s practicing his housekeeping skills . . . at least his immune system is. What mama wouldn’t want THAT?
Let me explain. My sweet boy is currently a miserable little ball of pukey mucous. So why not give him some Tylenol or (if he were older) at least something to dry up all that phlegm? Because the symptoms of illness: fever and mucus, are the body’s way of pushing junk out of our bodies.
The function of the immune system is to create inflammation. Inflammation, as the word implies, is like a fire in the body [fever] which burns up waste and debris, along with the germs that feed on waste and debris, and cleanses the body.
Mucus is like the ectoplasm from Ghostbusters. When bacteria and viruses overpopulate in the body it reacts by suspending/neutralizing them in slimy goo. They are then pushed out of the body via a runny nose or by coughing up phlegm. Using decongestants cripples our first line of defense by allowing bacteria/viruses to penetrate our bloodstream and go to our organs. . . thus worsening and prolonging illness.
Last night Micah couldn’t sleep at all, so I called my friend Dr. Cindy to get some advice on helping his immune system kick this. Here’s are some of her suggestions:
The Thymus Tap
This quick, simple technique is great for releasing emotional tension and/or boosting the immune system.
This exercise helps to stimulate the production of T-cells, which are primary immune factors, and nourishes the thymus.
If you practise this exercise daily, it will increae the size of thymus and improve its immune system. As you tap on your chest, you also massage and energies the other organs such as the lungs, heart, bronchial tubes and throat.
The thymus tap is reaaaally easy, here are a couple of slightly odd YouTube videos to show you how. 
Another variation . . .
This is pretty weird, but . . .
Another thing Cindy told me to do was to put 4-6 drops of a strong essential oil (such as peppermint or orange) in a carrier oil (coconut or olive oil), rub it on the bottom of his feet and then put socks on him. I’m not exactly sure what this is supposed to do but it got me thinking about how if you rub a garlic clove on the bottom of your foot you’re supposed to be able to taste it in your mouth fifteen minutes later.
So, being the natural skeptic that I am I just rubbed some garlic on my foot. I’ll let you know if it works by the end of the post.
More Essential Oils
Illness is emotionally stressful, especially for little ones. A relaxing essential oil like chamomile or lavender, mixed with a carrier oil, can be rubbed on the thymus area and on both sides of baby’s spinal column for relief.
If you’re wondering, yes, the room is pretty fragrant by now. Garlic, chamomile and pepperminty!
Fenugreek
Fenugreek tea helps to expel phlegm. So if your “baby” can walk you might consider brewing him/her a cup . . . and if you’re nursing a younger babe you can drink some and deliver it via breastmilk.
To make the tea, boil a tablespoon of fenugreek seeds in 2½ cups of water for 10 minutes, then remove from heat and let the seeds steep for 10-15 minutes.
Other Immune Boosters You Can Take
If you’re still breastfeeding, load up on immune boosting foods/supplements like probiotics specially formulated for babies, garlic, colloidal silver, Thymex and Vitamin C so that your milk will be rich in these immune building nutrients.
Nosefrieda The Snot Sucker
Seriously, when I first saw this video I thought the mom was sucking her baby’s snot into her mouth. Ewwww. Now that I have confirmed that is NOT the case, I think I’ll be ordering one soon.
If You Thought That Was Weird, You’re Gonna Love This
Squirt breastmilk in baby’s nose. Oh yes! It really works. First of all, breastmilk has all kinds of antibacterial benefits tailored to the needs of your child. Second, the milk thins out the mucus so it is easier to suction.
Let Baby Sleep on Your Chest
Because it’s comforting for both of you . . . and because keeping baby elevated will help him/her breathe better so you can both get some sleep. Or if that won’t work, try letting baby sleep in the carseat for a bit.
Oh, I almost forgot! Yes I tasted the garlic.
What did I miss? Please share your natural remedies below!
DISCLAIMER: These ideas are not medical advice. If your baby is ill please seek proper medical attention.
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- Drugstore Alternatives When Your Kids Have “The Ick”
- Confessions of a Sunbather
- Kiss Your Kleenex Goodbye . . . Forever!
- Spice Rack Remedies for Cold and Flu Season
Mommypotamus via FB
PLUS a quick and free stress relief remedy for you, mamas! Check out the thymus tap!
Brittany
Thank you for this! My little guy has been battling this congestion for almost a week now. His little cough makes me want to cry! I’ve been taking the Fenugreek and sucking his snot, but I’ll be trying the other things too!
Daniel
Words cannot express how uncomfortable I feel I should be with hearing of women sucking snot out of children’s noses. Sounds horrible. And yet, strangely normal. For this house, at least.
Daniel´s last [type] ..Tactics Stolen from Agencies Usually Backfire
Heather
You’re so welcome! I feel incredibly blessed to have access to someone with so much training and I’m glad to share the wealth! Hope your little man feels better soon.
Margo
Gotta love those Haggertons!!!! Thanks for the info. I love learning about natural remedies! And Micah is such a cutie!!
Heather
I agree! They are incredible people that truly care for their patients. I am so grateful to call them friends. And thanks, I think he looks like me.
Kristine
Love the photo of Micah and Daddy!
Heather
Me, too! I have another one that you’re gonna LOVE.
Megan Alba
You just compared mucus to ectoplasm. I love it.
Megan Alba´s last [type] ..Recipe- Vegetable “Beef” Soup
Heather
You just read a post on baby mucus even though you’re only babies have doggie breath. I love it more!
Emily Brown
Love having all this info in one place…..thanks Heather!!
Heather
You’re so welcome, Emily! added a few solutions that I just remembered so that next time all I’ll have to do is check my list. Much easier!
Kathryn Nordyke
unfortunately croup has happened in our house a few times. We always use a cool mist humidifier to help with sleep.
Kathryn Nordyke´s last [type] ..Daily Bread Living Giveaways!!
Heather
We’re doing that will a little tea tree in the water. Thanks for the idea, Kathryn!
Joanna Moore
is this a bonsai tea tree or did you mean oil?
Joanna Moore´s last [type] ..Ratatouille and Pearsnip Loaves
Heather
oil!
Kirsten
Thanks for such a great post! I’m just starting to learn about essential oils, and I need to learn more! I’m glad to hear about your garlic experiment too. I wasn’t sure how quickly the oils actually worked.
Oh yes, and I think Micah is darling, and I agree that he looks like you. 
Heather
Thanks, Kirsten! I love essential oils and would like to learn more about them as well.
Jodi
Hi Heather,
We used to battle croup all the time with my (now 8 yr. old) son. He used to do the asthma breathing treatments (didn’t help) cool mist and/or warm mist humidifier with tea tree oil drops in it (might have helped?) and holding him in a hot steamy bathroom. I learned that the steamy bathroom can open their airways and help loosen that mucous but won’t stop the cough (don’t know for sure if that’s true). Anyway, now we take a lot of Vitamin D everyday, and when sick, start upping the Standard Process supplements, Tummy tea, Throat coat tea, etc….just try to help them get through it! Feel so bad for your baby! Hang in there…it’s a good time to pray at least! Gonna try the thymus tap…why not?
Heather
Jodi – I’m so glad you brought up Vitamin D. Everyone in our family gets a dose with dinner and I think it helps a lot. In fact, all of your suggestions are great, including the prayer! Thanks so much!
Anna D
Fantastic post!!!!!
Additional thanks for the thymus tap. I am going to practice it.
the rest of the advice all in place is very helpful – goes to my bookmarks – thanks a lot!
Heather
Thanks, Anna!
ELisabethCS
Stuffy nose babies are so sad. Hope Micah’s clears up soon. I have humidifiers running year round in this house.
I rub lavender oil on the bottom of Gibson’s feet for his stuffy nose. That’s what my sister’s natural doctor told her to do. Works and I KNOW it smells better than garlic.;)
http://www.thehappyyogamom.com/
http://sheheartsit.com/
Joanna Moore
our kids have never been specifically diagnosed with croup, but they have definitely sounded “croupy” several times. we have only tried using a cool mist humidifier but thanks for sharing these additional tips!
Joanna Moore´s last [type] ..Ratatouille and Pearsnip Loaves
Alina
Thanks for the great post! Came at a perfect time. My little guy is not feeling so well either. He is very phlegmy. I have been giving him Vit D and infant probiotics. I am all about letting him heal naturally by boosting his immune system. My husband is worried that his cough may lead to pneumonia. Is this possible? I don’t feel like I need to take him to the doctor’s at this point. It’s only been two days, however I don’t want to be naive to the signs if this current cold becomes more serious.
On anouther note I love lavendar EO, but have read recently that it has been shown to have estrogenic effects on young boys. Does anyone know anything about this?
Heather
Hi Alina! So sorry to hear your little man is feeling bad. I can’t really speak to whether pneumonia can become an issue since I am not a doctor, but it’s not something I was personally concerned about with my little guy. His illness lasted four LONG days but he is much better today. We bought one of those snot suckers and it worked like magic. About lavender, I hadn’t heard that but a quick google search did bring up some interesting results so I’ll be looking into it. Thanks for stopping by!
Julie Harding
I second the steam showers & if you’r little one is over a year old, a spoon full of honey might also help. I don’t know for sure if it helps, but I figure it can’t hurt!
Mommypotamus via FB
P.S. Micah is not sick today – I wrote this when he was 6 months old. Just lettin’ you know because I recently congratulated a mama on the birth of her precious baby after she posted a newborn pic. Of course I fell in love with those squishy cheeks and just had to say so, which prompted her to gently break the news that it was an old pic and her “baby” is four. Ha!
Mommypotamus via FB
Ugh – First it wouldn’t let me comment and then it showed all my attempts. Embarrassed and deleting now . . .
Dianthe White Hall via FB
So glad you posted this today – Sydney just got over the flu and Myles woke up with it today – they’re both coughy and congested and overwhelmed mama forgot all about the peppermint oil – thanks!!!
Mommypotamus via FB
Awww, so sweet of the kids to practice the art of sharing! (NOT!) Hope he feels better soon, Dianthe White Hall! Yay for peppermint oil!
Elizabeth Neblett Schneiderman via FB
GREAT post…and I am glad Micah is not sick
As I get more into natural ways and methods, where do you buy your essential oils? I haven’t gone down that road yet and would appreciate any helpful advice. Thanks Heather!
Mommypotamus via FB
I am not an expert by any means, but I order mine from Young Living because it’s what my more knowledgeable friends use. Sometimes, though, it can’t wait and I just buy what’s available at the health food store
Elizabeth Neblett Schneiderman via FB
Thanks so much…this is helpful for sure
TreaSon Holdings via FB
All these work great! I have also added Olbas oil to the water in a vaporizer, used hot, steamy showers, and put Olbas oil in a carrier oil & rub on the chest. Mostly started this at a year, so might be too strong for tiny babies, great for toddlers!
Dasha Voskov via FB
http://www.youngliving.com/
Dasha Voskov via FB
Just noticed that you also use YL.
Galina Kovaliha via FB
У многих появляется аллергия на эти резкие запахи. Будь осторожна, особенно береги детей. Это ведь химия. Мы и так дышим , используем всё это. Это- моё мнение.
Sumeyye
Hi,
I have an almost 11 months old and we kicked our second flu in two days, YAY! Here is what I do:
1-Make sure she gets plenty of breast milk, even in her nose:)
2-Make sure to keep nose clean in order to prevent any sinus issues,
3-Give cod liver+ghee combo a day
4-Freshly pressed carrot juice with a little cabbage and lettuce (about couple tbs)
5-Lots of chicken broth soup
6-Baby probiotics
7-Hyland’s C Plus Cold Tablets
8-Bioplazma Cell salts combination (recommendation of a homeopath friend)
9-If there is a cough I usually mix couple drops of Oil of Oregano with olive oil, rub it on her feet and chest. She should be wearing thick, wool sock after that.
10-1 tsp virgin coconut oil
Yesterday I also tried grinding nutmeg seeds and mixed it with a little water. I rubbed it to her chest and back. It definetely worked! But I love my oil of oregano better than that. It is as powerful as antibiotics. Let me know if you need anything else. Wishing healthy, happy tomorrow to little guy:)
Dasha Voskov via FB
Химия??? С чего вы взяли? Галина я никогда не пользуюсь лекарствами, антибиотиками, прививками. Мои дети выросли на свежевыжатых соках. Эти масла натуральные из трав, цветов и растений. Многие именно из этих масел упоминаются в Библии.
Joy Elise
Ugh mine got sick the day u posted this….lots of codliver oil, I am an EP’er b/c of lip tie issues but he is ebf, I can’t see the Thymus tap from my phone but can’t wait to find it….his cough is BAD…gggrrr I will try a bunch of the stuff recommended and see what happens….thanks again! Zzzzzzzzzzzz
Heather
Good thinking with the cod liver oil/butter oil, Joy! Hope he feels better soon!