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Just say no?

The recent recall of cough and cold medicines for infants 2 and under didn't phase the DrMommyKC household. We've never used cold medicines or antihistamines on our daughter despite the myriad of colds she's had (including that extra special bounty of colds she acquired when starting daycare/preschool last winter).

Maybe you would assume that doctors are drug-happy, sprinkling medications around us like pixie dust, but the truth is, I'm pretty much a drug minimalist. I only take medications for myself when absolutely necessary and have been known to tough out colds without the aid of decongestants or cough medicines.

Personally, I don't think cold medicine makes that much of a difference, and it's just symptomatic relief anyway, which is all temporary. Plus, I have a healthy fear of the unknown side effects of medications, even the seemingly perfectly safe ones, an d avoid using them whenever possible.

Our usual routine for Jolie's colds is to either stick in one of those vapor-plugs, those that release a zippy combination of menthol, eucalyptus, camphor, rosemary and mint, or just rub some baby vapor rub with the same ingredients on her neck and chest and hope for the best. (Although, when she was very little, I did harbor some anxiety that the fumes might scramble her brain, fears that my husband tried to allay.) For nasal congestion, saline nasal drops are safe.  In the winter, we start up the humidifier.

Now, the expert advisory panel for the FDA voted to unanimously ban cough and cold products for children less than two, but also voted 13-9 to ban them in children aged 2-5. Part of their reasoning behind this was that there's no evidence showing they are actually effective in any way, but there are possible injuries that could result, including unintentional overdoses.

The FDA, which will often act along the guidance given by its advisory panels, still has yet to make a final decision, but even if they do, these medicines will probably remain on the supermarket and drug store shelves for a long time since such changes take time.

So what to do as cold season is quickly approaching? We're sticking to our old routine of vapor action, nasal saline, and the humidifier and leaving the multi-symptom children's cold medications on the shelf.

_{Disney Family does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Call your doctor regarding any medical condition. Never disregard your doctor's advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on the Disney Family site.}