Cough and cold medications that use nasal decongestants, antihistamines, cough suppressants and expectorants are commonly used to treat sick children. Yet an oversight group reports that over the course of one year, more than 1,500 children under the age of 2 were taken to emergency rooms — and three infants died — because of adverse effects from such medicines. “The American Academy of Pediatrics does not support the use of over-the-counter cough medications for children of any age,” says Ian Paul, M.D., of the AAP Section on Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics. “There is no evidence that they are effective, and there is a safety concern.” Instead, Paul suggests treating the symptoms to make the child more comfortable. Use acetaminophen for kids over 3 months and ibuprofen for kids over 6 months. Keep Baby hydrated, and use saline nose drops or spray.