Can i give my 4 yr old and 15 mo old herbal suppliments to help avoid the colds the 4 yr old brings home from preschool? echinacea, vit c, and muliti vitamin? or can you suggest some?

According : According to the national institute of health center for complimentary and alternative (cam) medicine, there is no conclusive scientific evidence that any cam therapy prevents colds or substantially reduces their duration or severity in adults or children. I cannot recommend using any supplements or vitamins children for the common cold. The cure for the common cold is still a mystery! there's nothing wrong with giving a multivitamin or vitamin c, but they won't help with a cold. The best methods for treating congestion in an infant/toddler are saline nasal drops, nasal suctioning with a bulb syringe and a cool or warm mist humidifier. Keeping them hydrated has also shown to help. There are no safe cough or cold medications for children under 4 years of age. Good handwashing can help prevent the spread of cold viruses. If your child seems to be having difficulty breathing, call their doctor right away. Anytime a child has difficulty breathing (respiratory distress), they need immediate medical attention. The signs of respiratory distress are: -rapid breathing (more than 60 times a minute) -grunting or gasping with breathing -flaring of the nostrils -working hard and using extra muscles to breathe such as sucking in at the neck or under the rib cage -blue or dusky coloring -change in speech or level of alertness.

Will not help: Save your money and wash their hands, faces, and change their clothes when the come home from school. Vitamins don't avoid colds.