All parents have been there: your little one has a cough or a cold, and you aren’t sure which over-the-counter medicine is safest. Or maybe a home remedy is better? Get expert info on when to use home remedies vs. medicine. Should I use over-the-counter medicine for young children? Over-the-counter (OTC) cough and cold medicines can cause serious side effects in young children. Therefore, in October 2008, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommended OTC cough and cold medicines never be used in children under 4 years of age. From age 4 to 6, OTC medicines should be used only if recommended by your child’s doctor. After age 6, the medicines are safe to use, but follow the dosage instructions on the package. Do home remedies work as well as medicine? Fortunately, you can eas...