My almost 2 yr. old has a nasty cold!

[Bigsweetie]

Hi Dana,
My daughter Emily who is 21 months old has a nasty little cold. This is only her fourth cold but it's the yuckiest yet. She's not running a fever and she's acting happy and running around during the day, but at night it's a different story.

Obviously she hasn't mastered blowing her nose yet or understanding why I keep trying to get her to drink her water/juice all the time. She's got a stuffy/runny nose that's keeping her awake most of the night along with a cough. Her cough sounds productive, but she's just swallowing it back down and the runny/stuffy nose is making her gag.

I'm wondering what I should give her to help her sleep. I know that there's not much you can do for a cold til it runs it's course, but I need to ease her symptoms at least so she can get some sleep. I fear that she's just making herself sicker by being up all night long crying, dry heaving, etc.

My mom picked up a Vicks nighlight that emits a scent to help her sleep. She also got some baby Vicks vaporub stuff to put under her nose so she can breathe (the real reason she wakes up after only sleeping for 1/2 hour). Also, the pharmacist told her to give Em some Children's Dimetapp to help dry up her nose and give her some rest.

Which of these (if any) do you recommend I use? I just want to help her sleep... she's so upset and sad and tired.

Thanks Dana!

One confused/tired mamma