Parents do everything they can to try and keep baby safe from catching a cold. It is inevitable, especially in the colder months, when baby and the whole family may be spending more time indoors, and its easier for viruses to spread.
So what are the top five tips for surviving baby’s first cold?
1. When Baby Has a Cold Do I Call the Doctor?
When baby has his or her first cold it can be tough on parents and babies. Parents may worry about when to call the doctor. You should call the doctor in the following circumstances:
baby is less than three months old
baby has a history of ear infections, or is tugging at his or her ears
baby has a fever higher than 100 degrees
baby is also vomiting and has diarrhea
baby won’t wake up
baby’s cough has grown steadily worse or baby is wheezing (especially in babies under 12 months).
Also call your pediatrician if you have any questions about how to treat baby’s first cold. The office nurse will take the time to answer your questions, and they are usually veryknowledgeable about what first time parents need to do for baby’s first cold. If the doctor wants to see you they will set up the best time for you to come in.
2. How Do I Help De-Congest Baby’s Nose During the First Cold?
First-time parents, brace yourself for a small wrestling match and screaming baby when you try to use a rubber bulb syringe during baby’s first cold. No baby likes to have rubber bulb syringe putanywhere near their nostril, especially one that has a cold. But because baby cannot blow his or her own nose, the nasal congestion needs to be gently removed with a rubber bulb syringe.
Press down on the syringe and place it at the end of the nostril. Slowly lift your finger and let the air return to the rubber bulb syringe, which creates a suctioning of baby’s nostril. It may take a couple of tries to get it right. Just remember to be as gentle as possible with your squirming baby, not to over-suction, and if there is a little blood then you’ve put the rubber bulb syringe in too far. Using the rubber bulb syringe sometimes takes two parents, one to help calm and hold baby.
Never push air into the nose, only draw the mucous out. If baby’s congestion is not flowing, and is dry, you will need to use some over-the-counter saline drops, or mix your own.
3. What Medicines Can I Give a Baby with a Cold?
For babies under six months, ask the pediatrician before dosing baby with any medicines. It is not usually recommended to give them any OTC drugs. Never give an infant aspirin. Cough medicines anddecongestants have no effect on the virus that caused the cold, but they can make baby who is six months or older feel better during his or her first cold. For babies older than six months, find a decongestant or cough medicine without alcohol and try to only give medicine minimally, like at bed time. Always check with your pediatrician before giving any medicine to baby.
4. How Can I Make a Baby with a Cold More Comfortable?
The most difficult part of baby’s first cold is helping baby feel more comfortable, and be able to breathe freely enough to sleep. A warm bath with Johnson & Johnson’s Vapor Bath is one way to make baby more comfortable.
5. Eating/Drinking
Baby’s appetite may be erratic. Because baby may not be able to breathe through his or her nose, it make longer to eat, and foods that baby normally loves may not taste too great. For the infant, be sure to continue to nurse baby, or give baby lots ofbreast milk or formula. For older babies drinking cow’s milk, they may not want to drink it, and it’s okay to give baby water. Just be sure to keep baby hydrated.
As with any baby illnesses and conditions, it takes patience and common sense to help minimize baby’s discomfort. Always call your pediatrician with questions.
