Last fall, the FDA came out saying that cough medicine usually doesn't work for kids, and when it does, its risks do not outweigh its benefits (covering up annoying symptoms of a respiratory illness).  In the articles above, we find out that Benedryl, cough suppressants, cold meds, don't work any better than placebos.

We're blessed to have very few colds, one ear infection (the only child ever in group care - "Mother's Morning Out"), and no strep throat in our 11 years of family life.  Hardly anyone gets sick.  I attribute it to years of nursing each child, no group care (including school) exposure, avoiding junk, and a LOT of luck.


More recently, doctors are saying that cough & cold medicines don't do any more than placebos for adults, either.