Cold and your infant

It is heartbreaking to see your infant gasping for breath or getting cranky because of a stuffy nose but common cold is very common among babies and young children because of immature immune systems.

Common symptoms

• Runny nose; initially watery and then thick, yellowish discharge
• Sneezing
• Nasal congestion
• Dry cough
• Fever
• Itchy throat
• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite

As in adults, colds last from 3 to 10 days but may linger a bit longer in children. Symptoms may be relieved by;

• Suction of mucus using aspirators or mucus bulbs. Click to learn more!

• Use over the counter saline drops
• Keep the air moist to reduce nasal congestion
• Let the baby sleep on her tummy and head elevated to allow for breathing
• Apply petroleum jelly lightly on the outside of and under nose to prevent chapping and reddening of skin.
• Isolate the baby for first three days of cold.
• Try giving the baby steam inhalation carefully.

Ask your doctor if medication therapy is required;

• Decongestants to make the baby sleep and eat
• Nose drops to reduce congestion
• Cough medicine

Diet during cold

• Reduce milk intake or other dairy products except only if the baby is completely breast fed.
• Give baby lots of fluids
• Proper intake of Vitamin C, give extra citrus fruits or other juices

Prevention is better than cure, take care of following things;

• Entire family should wash hands carefully before handling the baby
• Cover your mouth before coughing or sneezing
• Use disposable tissues instead of handkerchiefs
• Individuals with cold should not touch baby's toys or utensils or even handle the baby.

When to worry?

• First cold
• Baby under three months of age
• Baby under four moths and a fever of 101 degree F
• Dry cough lasting more than 2 weeks
• Cough causing choking or vomiting
• Thick greenish yellow nasal discharge for more than a day
• Unusual crying with or without tugging of ears
• Complete loss of appetite

A cold can progress to ear infections, bronchitis, Sinusitis, Rhinitis or other severe infections; so don't take it lightly. Also, remember that one cold does not make the body immune to further infections!

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