What should kids with a cold or cough be given?

Now that the FDA has said cold medicines shouldn't be given to young kids, and aren't effective if the kid is under 12 years of age, what are good alternatives that work?

You know, as long as you're smart enough about it and don't give a 3 year old a 6 year olds dose you can give younger children, childrens cold medicine. They only pulled them to prevent people from overdosing their children. I got a chart from my doctor for ibuprofen and tylenol when my kids were infants and it still works for them today and it's broken down into smaller increments of weight. If you ask your nurse for a chart like that on dimetapp or whatever else you want they should be able to write it down for you. And I don't care what the FDA or other people say, cold medicines are the only to decongest, at least for my kids, I've tried ALL the home remedies and stuff you get from health stores that are holistic, they never worked.

try this, it worked for me when i was growing up:
a doctors appointment.

Orange Juice is a great source of vitamin C which will help.

Apparently you didn't read right as it says kids under 6 not 12. You use honey with hot aka warm water to thin to cough syrup consistency for a cough. For aches and pains you use ibuprofen just like you always do. Leave a fever alone as that is your body's way off fighting off the cold or whatever is wrong with you.

Really you want to avoid those decongestants with infants. I try not to give meds to those under 2 years of age. By all means give Tylenol or ibuprofen in liquid for fever or ear pain or throat pain related to the cold. Plenty of liquids! And by liquids I mean water. I do recommend decongestants and anti-cough medications only because it does help with symptoms of runny nose and cough. Though, coughs can last for weeks after the initial cold symptoms have gone away. But it's really time and a healthy child that will heal their cold.

rest

I guess they'll have to come up with another alternative if they don't want us all to start coughing.

I'm slightly puzzled now also, as both my kids are under the age of three.
I give my son who is three, green tea with honey. I use Triaminic* (is it still on the shelf?) to ease his cough and sniffles at bed time and in the morning, when colds are the worst.
I really cant believe they took it all off the shelves RIGHT before cold season.
Not everyone can afford to take their children to the dr's office for every sniffle and fever.
I probably cant get infant tylenol on the shelf anymore either huh?
And the age is 6 not 12.

Let them got over it on their own(unless it gets bad) our bodies are equipped with amasing immune systems that are designed to fight off colds and things all on thir own, i feel any meds simply interfere with what the body is already doing. keep thir bodies and immune systems healthy with lots of fresh fruits and veggies....

don't give aspirin. you can use tylenol for fever and other over the counter meds for specific symptoms. ask the pharmacist if you're concerned about what you can use for kids.

1. Echinacea -- Any quality ecchinacea tincture from a health food store should work.

2. Vitamin C -- I recommend using a natural source, not a synthetic vitamin. For example, give kids fresh oranges, grapefruits, rose hip tea, or freshly squeezed lemon juice in warm water mixed with raw honey (raw honey happens to have some extra anti-cold and cough benefits).

These two things should help a great deal, along with your basic common sense (i.e. make sure they rest, drink enough water, avoid refined sugar because it suppresses the immune system, etc.)