When young children are suffering from a cold or flu, it can be difficult for a parent to know exactly what to do to safely ease their symptoms.

According to the University of Michigan Health System, moms and dads should never give into the temptation to administer over-the-counter cough and cold medicine to kids under 6.

Using these medicines could have serious effects, with U-M pediatrician Esther Yoon explaining that "some 7,000 children end up in the emergency room each year" due to the unanticipated effects of these remedies.

Instead, she suggests that parents turn to natural health resources for children. These include nasal saline drops and a bulb suction for mucus.

For a cough, kids can take a teaspoon of honey or corn syrup if they are at least 1 year old, Yoon says. Drinking warm liquids can help younger children.

Additionally, taking steps such as boosting the humidity in the house or running a hot shower to produce steam can help ease coughing and nasal congestion.

Another reason to potentially avoid children’s cold medicines is that many have not been adequately tested on younger patients, according to ABC News.