Colds and Kids: What’s NOT normal?

Natural medicine pediatrician Calgary

Your kid has ANOTHER cold this year and you’re starting to wonder: What’s normal? Should my kid be getting this many colds? What can I do about it?

So, what’s normal?

  • Healthy kids under age 6 tend to get on average 6 colds per year. Most will feel better after 3-7 days, but runny nose, congestion, and cough can last for up to 2-3 weeks. Most colds occur from September - April, which means your healthy kid could have a cold every month or two during this time frame. Kids in daycare (or kids with older siblings who are in daycare/school) tend to get more frequent colds as they are more likely to be exposed to respiratory viruses.

  • Older kids and adults tend to get 2-4 colds per year.

What’s not normal? If your kid is getting sick often, it’s time to make an appointment. It’s not normal if your child is getting:

  • Six or more ear or respiratory tract infections within one year

  • Two or more serious sinus infections or pneumonias within one year

  • Four or more new ear infections within one year

Most of the time, the symptoms of the common cold will resolve on their own in time. You should make an appointment with your healthcare provider if:

  • Your child is younger than 3 months old and has cold symptoms

  • Your child is having difficulty feeding because of their congestion

  • Fever lasting longer than 3 days

  • Sore throat lasting longer than 5 days

  • Nasal discharge and congestion lasting longer than 2 weeks

  • Cough lasting longer than 3 weeks

  • Ear pain or fluid draining from their ear

  • Lots of pus in the eye

  • Fever that goes away for 24 hours and then returns

  • Your child is very fussy and cannot be calmed easily

  • Your child is very sleepy

  • Your child seems to be more sick to you

  • You have any other concerns or your child’s symptoms are severe

What helps prevent the common cold in kids?

  • Offer a wide variety of fruits & vegetables, whole grains, and proteins to your kids every day. Reduce added sugar and sugar sweetened beverages (like juice and soda).

  • Hand washing!

  • Correcting anemia - the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all kids should be assessed for risk anemia beginning at 6 months of age. It is one of my first things to check in kids who are getting sick frequently. Anemia is more common in kids who are breastfed, do not frequently eat foods that are high in iron (meats, white beans, lentils, soy, seeds) after 6 months of age, and kids who drink a lot of cow’s milk (more than 24 oz or 720mL per day). Kids who are anemic (usually from iron deficiency) get sick more often.

  • Eliminate exposure to cigarette smoke. Exposure to passive smoking increases the risk of upper respiratory infections.

  • Elderberry syrup - there is some evidence showing that elderberry syrup may reduce duration and severity of colds. As always, make sure to chat with your healthcare provider or make an appointment before adding any new supplements/vitamins/herbs in.

  • Probiotics (check with your healthcare provider first)

What probably doesn’t work to reduce the number of colds that your kid gets every year?

Have more questions about your kid and colds? Schedule a complimentary 15 minute meet & greet visit to see how naturopathic medicine/functional medicine can help.

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