An infant cold is a fairly common occurrence. In fact, most healthy infants will have about six colds before they turn one. Nonetheless, there are certain signs and symptoms you should look out for to make sure the infant cold is only a cold and not something more serious. In addition, there are steps you can take to help your baby get over it much more quickly and get back to being the smiling, happy, bundle of joy you are accustomed to.
Infant Cold Signs and Symptoms
The most common sign of an infant cold is a runny nose or congestion, which occurs fairly easily since a baby's nasal passages are small. It is normal for a baby with a cold to have clear nasal discharge at first, but it will generally become thicker and turn shades of green or yellow before becoming clear again. Additional signs of an infant cold include coughing, sneezing, watery eyes, and a low-grade fever.
Treating an Infant Cold
Colds are caused by viruses, so they cannot be treated with antibiotics. Therefore, you will need to help keep your baby's body and immune system strong so it can fight it off. If your baby is less than 3 months old, you should call the doctor to ask for treatment advice because an infant cold can easily turn into pneumonia, croup, or another illness in newborns. Otherwise, there are a few things you can do at home to help keep your baby comfortable and better able to fight off the cold.
First, make sure your baby is getting plenty of fluids. Breastfeeding babies need to have plenty of opportunities to drink and you should encourage an older baby to drink water or juice between meals. It is also helpful to keep the air in the room moist with a humidifier because this will help sooth the nasal passages. Make sure to aim the mist away from the baby, however, to prevent the bedding and your baby from getting damp. You should also keep a close eye on the room thermometer to make sure your baby's room is at the recommended temperature for optimum health.
To help keep your baby's nasal passages clear, you can clean them out with a rubber-bulb syringe. To do this, you will need to first squeeze the bulb to get the air out. Then, place the tip about 1/4 inch into your baby's nostrils and point it toward the back of the nose. Once in place, release the bulb so it can suction the mucus. After you remove the bulb from your baby's nose, you can clean it by squeezing it rapidly into a tissue. Repeat the process as often as necessary, then clean the bulb syringe afterward with soap and water. If your doctor recommends it, you might also want to use saline or saltwater nasal sprays to help loosen thick mucus.
If the infant cold seems to be causing your baby pain or discomfort, you can use a pain reliever such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen to help reduce the pain. These medications should only be used on babies over 3 months old, however, and you need to be sure to follow the directions carefully. You also shouldn't give your baby a cough suppressant because coughing helps clear mucus from the airway. If you are unsure about the proper dosage or when to administer medication, don't hesitate to call the doctor.
When It's Not an Infant Cold
Some signs and symptoms indicate that your baby is experiencing more than just a simple cold. Call the doctor if you notice any of the following signs or symptoms:
A temperature of more than 100 degrees Fahrenheit for more than three days
1 Diaper wetting more than usual
2 Yellow eye discharge
3 Sinus or ear pain
4 Thick and green nasal discharge for longer than two weeks
5 Coughing for more than one week
Symptoms requiring immediate medical attention include:
1 Refusal to accept fluids
2 Coughed up mucus is tinged in blood
3 Coughing is so hard the baby's skin changes color or causes vomiting
4 The baby has difficulty breathing or turns blue around the mouth and lips
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