Pregnancy Safe Cold and Flu Remedies
When you’re pregnant or nursing the last thing you need is a cold or flu to deal with, especially since you can’t just pop some Nyquil and drift off to sleep. Looking for pregnancy cold remedies can be difficult if you’re looking in your local drugstore as most cold and flu remedies are not recommended for pregnant or nursing mothers. It’s time to turn to some good old fashioned natural remedies.
Kicking It Old School
By kicking it old school I am referring to kicking that cough or cold with the use of these tried and true home remedies that are safe for mom and baby.
Steam: The use of steam for relieving cough and congestion has been used since the beginning of time and is still one of the best and safest ways to get the relief you’re looking for so you can breathe easy and get some rest. Use a facial steamer or simply turn on the hot water tap, lean over the sink and place a towel over your head so you get as much steam as you can.
Salt Water Gargle: This tried and true remedy works wonders on sore throats. Just dissolve a quarter teaspoon of salt into 8 ounces of warm water, gargle and spit out. Repeat as needed.
Honey: Another great remedy for sore throats, honey can soothe the driest and scratchiest of sore throats by coating it. It is also believed that the active ingredients in honey help to heal irritation and kill bacteria. Just swallow a tablespoon of honey or add to a cup of hot water with a little lemon for extra soothing relief.
Sleep With Your Head Elevated: This isn’t a pregnancy cold remedy so much as good advice. To help you breathe easier through the night so you can get some much needed rest, sleep with your upper body propped up higher than usual by using an extra pillow or two.
Warm Aromatherapy Bath: The steam from the bath helps to clear up congestion, and if you add a couple drops of eucalyptus essential oil to your bath water it’ll be even more effective and help to loosen phlegm and relieve cough. And furthermore, the warm water will help to soothe aching muscles AND relax you so that you’re more likely to get a good night’s sleep or at the very least a cat nap before it’s nursing time again. (Not recommended for pregnant women)
Other Things You Can Do
As far as pregnancy cold remedies go, you’ll get the best results of all if you do your best to keep your immune system healthy. Things like getting plenty of rest, drinking lots of fluids, taking your vitamins and eating a well balanced diet are all important and can help you get through colds and flues faster.