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Did you know that school-aged children get 8-12 colds per year, according to CNN?   The cold accounts for 22 millions missed days of school!   Crazy, right?   What can you do when your child comes home complaining that their throat is hurting?    As a mom of four, I usually start with these At-home remedies for a sore throat.

A little girl lying on a bed with text below her.

When our kids come home complaining about their throat being sore, I usually check for signs of Strep Throat.  Do they have a fever?  Do their hands have little bumps on it (always the first sign in our children)?

Oftentimes, I will take them into the pediatrician’s office to have them checked for Strep Throat.   While I know that most sore throats are caused by viruses  (or even the side effects of a sinus infection), it doesn’t make it any easier for the child.   A sore throat is a viral infection that lasts a few days, similar to a common cold, I know that if it is a bacterial infection, like Strep, they will need antibiotics.

No matter what the test results show, I know that a sore throat hurts!  To help our kids feel better, I turn to a few of my favorite at-home remedies.

1- Put your child to bed.

I  read a study once that said that two groups of people were ‘given a cold’. One group slept for 8 hours. The other group had under seven. Which group was more likely to get a respiratory infection? The 7-hour group… THREE TIMES HIGHER!

2- Give your kids a lollipop!

Lolleez, organic throat soothing lollipops for kids are from USDA Certified Organic ingredients that you can pronounce and understand.  They are made with organic honey, natural fruit pectin, all while being non-GMO, gluten-free, dairy-free, and nut-free.    Honey is one of nature’s natural pain relievers when it comes to a sore throat.A little girl holding a lollipop.

It was made by a mom of four, Melissa Evans:  When it came to sore throats or upset tummies, mom of four, Melissa Evans, couldn’t find anything that she felt comfortable giving her kids without worrying! That’s why she created Momeez Choice, makers of Lolleez and Tumeez, organic remedies in the form of lollipops.  A fun, delicious and effective way to make everyone’s sick day a little “eezier.”

Bags of Lolleez lollipops sitting on a table.
Plus, it comes in flavors that kids (and adults) love:  WatermelonStrawberry, Orange Mango ( available at CVS, Target, Walgreens and on Amazon)They also have Mixed Berry with Elderberry (available exclusively at Walgreens.) .  Your child can pick their favorite flavor…

A boy opening a bag of Lolleez lollipops.

The flat-shape of the Lolleez makes them worry-free for the parent since we don’t have to worry about a round ball lollipop that is a potential choking hazard.  A cough drop or throat lozenge also poses a risk for choking and, for the most part, contained chemicals like artificial colors, flavors, and ingredients.  So, she came up with a great alternative: Lolleez. 🙂

A wooden cutting board with Lolleez sore throat lollipops.

Plus, they also have Tumeez, which is perfect to help with Tummy Aches.    They come in Grape and Apple flavor — and are available at CVS, Walgreens and on Amazon.    I love these because Momeez Choice, Lolleez parent company gave birth to sibling brand, Tumeez, since tummy aches are pretty common in kids!
A bunch of sore throat lollipops that are sitting on a table

Tumeez are organic tummy soothing lollipops for kids to help relieve heartburn, acid indigestion, and an upset tummy.   They are infused with delicious USDA Certified Organic ingredients with 200mg of calcium carbonate and a small dose of organic honey, both known to help alleviate common stomach ailments.  The pops are also Non-GMO as well as gluten, dairy and nut-free.

A bag of Tumeez sitting on a table

 

3- Gargle Salt Water

This is a well-known remedy for sore throats because the salt reduces swelling.  It pulls water out of your throat tissue and can kill germs in your throat.   It’s easy to make: Combine 1 cup of water with just one teaspoon of salt.   Stir this until it dissolves.   Once it is dissolved, gargle it for about 30 seconds or so.   Do this several times a day, up to once an hour.

Combine 1 cup of warm water with 1 teaspoon of salt and stir to dissolve. Gargle with a mouthful of this mixture for 30 seconds, once per hour.

 

4. Honey

There is a reason that Lolleez makes their lollipops with honey.

honey for sore throat
Honey coats and soothes the throat.  According to the Mayo Clinic Doctor James M. Steckelberg, M.D.:  “Drinking tea or warm lemon water mixed with honey is a time-honored way to soothe a sore throat. But honey alone may be an effective cough suppressant, too.

In one study, children age 2 and older with upper respiratory tract infections were given up to 2 teaspoons (10 milliliters) of honey at bedtime. The honey seemed to reduce nighttime coughing and improve sleep.

In fact, in the study, honey appeared to be as effective as a common cough suppressant ingredient, dextromethorphan, in typical over-the-counter doses. Since honey is low-cost and widely available, it might be worth a try.

However, due to the risk of infant botulism, a rare but serious form of food poisoning, never give honey to a child younger than age 1.”

5. Lemon Water

As mentioned in number four, lemon water can help to soothe a sore throat.    You can try adding lemon to herbal teas, or you can just mix one part lemon juice with one part warm water.   Gargle this for 30 seconds.    The lemon will help fight off the bacteria while soothing your throat.

Of course, there are several other natural remedy ideas, such as using marshmallow root (this has been used to treat sore throats & other health conditions since the middle ages), cayenne pepper, slippery elm, apple cider vinegar, and even licorice root, but I didn’t think that my kids would be very happy with any of those options.

If your child doesn’t mind them, I’d try the apple cider vinegar.  Apple Cider Vinegar has antibacterial properties that can soothe the throat when taken in small doses with warm water.

6- Keep them hydrated to thin the mucus.

Just last week, I was at the ENT and he was explaining the importance of staying hydrated when not feeling well.  You can give your child water, milk, juice, or even ice pops and frozen fruit bars.

Chicken Noodle Soup is also a great way to stay hydrated.
A small child sitting on a table with a pot and wooden spoon. It will help with the sore throat pain at the same time.

 

7. Use a humidifier in his room.

The moist, warm air of the humidifier often improves breathing.  This, in turn, helps to ease a sore throat, especially when it feels dry.

 

8. Distraction

When a child is not feeling well, the best way to help them stop thinking about their sore throat is through distraction.   Instead of just watching TV or movies, play with your child.

  • Grab a card game
  • Play a board game
  • Play pretend.  It’s always fun to play “teacher” or “doctor” with your child.   Get dolls and stuffed animals and let your child take care of the sick patient.
  • Head outside for some fresh air if the weather is nice.   Swing on the back porch swing or just sit outside & talk.
  • Take turns reading pages of a book (or describing the pictures if your child is too young to read)
  • Do a look & find puzzle book together
  • Teach your child to draw something new, or even teach your child to trace a picture (our kids love finding new ways to trace pictures by holding them up to a light, towards the sun, etc…)
  • Make soup together.  Chicken soup isn’t just good for a sore throat… They say it’s good for the soul. 😉 

A child sitting on a counter holding hands with a women.

I once read a study that said that the touch & eye-contact of a mother has the same effect as an over-the-counter pain reliever for a child.   This is great news, as it means that your hugs and attention will help your child feel better.

I hope that these at-home remedies for a sore throat really do the trick!   Our kids love the Lolleez lollipops -it’s a great option to keep at home for those days when the unexpected words “Mom… my throat hurts” is heard at your house.

Be sure to check out these related posts: 

 

Hi there!

I’m Becky, a former elementary school teacher turned certified child development therapist and blogger. I work at home with my husband and together we are raising (and partially homeschooling) our four children in the Carolinas. I love diet coke, ice cream, and spending time with my family.

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1 Comment

  1. Can t make it a week? Find relief for your sore throat now with these helpful at-home remedies.