Should we try airborne?

[ADisneyQueen]

My DDs have been very sick this year. DD11 had the stomach bug 3xs and the flu (had a flu shot) for a week. DD7 had stomach bug also 3xs. They've both had a few colds. They have never been sick like this. OUr trip is 3 weeks from today. Should I give them airborne and when do you start it? I really don't know much about it. I am just concerned we will be sick on the trip.

 

[PollyannaMom]

Have not tried Airborne, but like Sucrets Defense. I take one sometimes if I'm going to be in crowded places in the winter, or if I'm taking care of a sick child, and I took them for a few days before our last trip. It might have been mind-over-matter, but it seemed to work.

If you are concerned, I'm sure your pediatrician is used to getting calls about stuff like that, and you could ask if he/she thinks it's OK for the kids.

P.S. - Should probably don the flame-suit, as even at the time I felt "less than environmentally concious," but we had a winter like the one you're describing once and switched to paper towels in our bathrooms for a while. - It made such a big difference! (Also, enforce the wash-your-hand-as-you-soon-as-you-come-in-from-school rule.)

Good luck with your trip!!

 

[NJFabFour]

I used to work in the schools and currently work with toddlers . . . have tried Airborne 3x but seen absolutely not an ounce of benefit . . . got just as severely sick with it as without. So now I use good 'ol Vitamin C . . . at least 3x now it has prevented me from getting sick when the rest of the family was passing something around.

 

[blessedby3]

We attempted to take it right before our flight in 12/06. DH, myself and youngest DD took it and we all felt sick to our stomachs within about 1/2 hour. The taste was horrible. I didnt even give it to my other 2 kids as they have weak stomachs and I knew that could make the flight worse. I was glad when we got that out of our system. I gave the rest to our neighbor when we got back as he takes it when he flies. We just couldnt stomach the taste. Dont know if it has any real benefits either since we only got in one dose.

 

[momtoBrandon&Jacob]

I was talking to someone about Airborne recently. His experience was the one time he took it on the plane, he got sick within minutes. He said he felt really bad for the passenger sitting next to him.

 

[all4fun]

I take Airborne if I feel like I'm starting to come down with something, ie I start to have a sore throat or feel in some way I'm starting to catch a cold. I feel it "kick starts" my immune system and just gives me an extra boost when I need it. I don't take it all the time. There are some different flavors you can try and even some "private label" varieties (ie Walborne at Walgreens). I put it in a very small amount of hot water to dissolve, just enough so I can swallow it w/in a couple of gulps. IMO it's not that bad this way. If you have a sensitive stomach then I guess I can see how it can make you ill, but if don't take it on an empty stomach, then you shouldn't have a problem with it making you sick. Other things you can do (or encourage your kids to do, I have a 4yr old, I know it's hard!) Wash your hands frequently, don't touch your face a lot, drink lots of water, exercise, and eat healthy. I try to at least take a multivitamin every day (and ds gets the kid variety too, especially since he's a really picky eater. He likes the gummy bear ones) I also take extra Vitamin C. I haven't tried giving the Airborne for kids to ds because he's incredibly picky and I know he won't drink it anyway. If you can get your kids to try it, then I don't think it can hurt. jmho

hth! and hope you are able to stay healthy for your trip!

 

[two-foxes]

I would check with your doctore to see if your kiddos can take nasal Zicam. With a new baby in daycare, I have caught nearly everything he has brought home from there. Then, I started Zicam Nasal swabs and I swear by them. You have to use them at the very first itsy bitsy sign of a cold, then use them until all symptoms subside. GREAT product if you feel a cold coming on!!! (But not great at preventing anything.) I am a fan of airborne as well, but it is true, if you take in on an empty stomach, it can ruin you if you are not used to it.

In the meantime, nothing beats lots of rest, vitamin C and LOTS of handwashing!

 

[bumbershoot]

airborne has artificial sweeteners, so for me, it's out of the running for myself and my child. I use emergen-C, the basic kind (they also have packets with chondroitin and stuff like that), and in general it helps.

Of course we rarely take it preventatively, but when I was well and making DS and DH take it, they got over their recent illness in 3 days...they aren't as good at making ME take it, and I've been sick for 5 days so far.

 

[baybemama]

I took Airborne once and got sick what seems like immediately. Now I'm afraid to take it again! I recently started taking Emergen-C and don't mind it at all. I got the pink kind, hopefully it's not full of artificial sweeteners.

 

[MSSANDRA]

We swear by airborne and it seems to have really cut down on the colds we have caught. Check the age on the children's but i am pretty sure the 1 year old is too young for it but not sure about the 2 year old. WE only take the orange as it seems a little less nasty.

 

[ADisneyQueen]

My kids are 11 and 7. I guess my postwas confusing. Sorry.

 

[MSSANDRA]

My kids are 11 and 7. I guess my postwas confusing. Sorry.

NO CLUE where I got 1 & 2. sorry. They would be fine. I would give it a shot.

 

[bumbershoot]

I recently started taking Emergen-C and don't mind it at all. I got the pink kind, hopefully it's not full of artificial sweeteners.

I haven't seen anything but sugar listed on emergen-C. Our family appreciates plain old sugar to artificial stuff any day, so I check every time I buy it (and check airborne when I pass it by, to see if they have gotten sense into their heads yet LOL).

 

[sha_lyn]

I prefer emergen-C for most things, but found Airborne works better for me if my stomach is involved.
I usually keep the lite and the immune defense formulas of emergen-C on hand along with electrolyte formula made by the same company.

 

[ChristaDeVil]

I've been force feeding my whole family Airborne for the past couple of weeks. With me working at a hospital, son in school, and hubby working with truck drivers, we see a lot of germs. It's worked so far! (knocking on wood)

Also, I love the pink grapefruit flavor of Airborne. It tastes so much better than the lemon lime. The kids version of Airborne now comes in a pixie stick version and my child loves it!

 

[antree]

My DD 13 and I have taken Airbourne, I do believe it cuts the illness in half. My DD always gets sick in Disney. Last March I had her start it 3 days before we left and continued it 2 days after we got there. She never got sick. I didn't take it and got sick the whole trip. In Nov. We both started 3 days before we left no problems, my DH refused to take it and got sick 2 days after we got there. We like the orange zesty flavor. My DD and I also take it the with the first signs of not feeling well.