 [ Symptoms ] what can i give my 1 year old daughter for runny nose cough and cold [ Disease ] nonprescription cough and cold products should not be used in young children these products are not effective and have the potential for severe side effects the best choices to treat a runny nose or congestion in a baby are 1 nasal saline drops 2 a nasal bulb syringe to remove mucus and congestion andor 3 placing a cool mist humidifier in the child is room