sniffy noses and onion poultices

Poor Luna has a cold. It started with a little bit of a runny nose, and turned into a nose that alternately is running like a faucet and is so stopped up that she can't breathe. There is nothing sadder than a baby whimpering, breathing through their mouth and looking at you with sad eyes! She also has a dry little cough that is worse at night, making her stay up all night.. poor thing.

I tried a couple of things today that hopefully will kick this cold out of her system before it gets worse.

Onion Poultice: I've used this on myself and it did seem to help break up my mucus and give some relief to my coughing.

1. Chop (with knife or food processor) a bit of onion (white or yellow) into bits.
2. Use raw, retaining liquid, or warm with a bit of olive oil in a saucepan.
3. Fold into flat pouch using cheesecloth or some other thin fabric (preferably organic).
4. Tape onto babies chest using first aid tape.

If anything, it is working on the cough, since Luna has not coughed since I put it on her.  I even have her laying in her crib, propped up on a pillow, listening to her Rockabye Baby! Lullaby Renditions of The Cure CD, taking a nap.

Essential Oils: I made a synergistic mix in a dropper bottle of a couple of different oils that can be put in the bath or in a diffuser. I boil water and put 3 drops in, then put the bowl next to her crib.

Mix:
10 drops Eucalyptus Radiata
10 drops Ravensara
5 drops Tea Tree
3 drops Lavender
1 drop Thyme

I don't have the thyme oil right now, but I had everything else. I know the eucalyptus definitely helps with the cough and breathing, and if anything, it covers up the onion smell!

Just checked on her- still sleeping! Hopefully she can get a couple of good hours in- and maybe so can I.

Onion poultice source: Natural Baby and Childcare: Practical Medical Advice and Holistic Wisdom for Raising Healthy Children
Essential oil mix source: Aromatherapy for the Healthy Child: More Than 300 Natural, Nontoxic, and Fragrant Essential Oil Blends