The fear of the first cold in your baby is something that all parents fear. Infants are not adults who can blow their noses, drink hot tea, and describe what is ailing them. A cold can cause the baby to become fussy, even with a slight cold, disturb sleep, and have problems with feeding.
Have you been asking yourself how to cure infant colds? The good news is, there is no immediate solution, but there is a safe and effective way to reduce the pain of your little one and get her to recover.
Parents can now count on mild remedies instead of resorting to the use of intense over-the-counter drugs that are not suitable for infants. Such basic tools as a nasal aspirator for newborns, saline drops, and environmental adjustments can make a significant difference in keeping your baby comfortable.
This guide will take you on a step-by-step walk-through of everything you must know, like when to see the doctor and home-based solutions that help in easing the pain and keep your baby more comfortable as the cold takes its natural course.
Infant cold: When to visit a doctor?
The majority of the infants’ colds are mild and can be cured on their own within one or two weeks. Nevertheless, due to immature immunity in infants, parents must be keen to notice symptoms that must be treated by a doctor.
Contact your pediatrician when your baby:
- More than 100.4degF (38degC) in infants below 3 months.
- Breaths so hard, wheezes, or is out of breath easily.
- Will not take food or has dehydration symptoms (fewer wet diapers).
- Seems to be abnormally peevish, sluggish, or unresponsive.
- Requested to have a longer than 10-14 days.
- Acquires ear pain, chronic cough, and eye discharge.
It is better to listen to your intuition when your baby feels wrong, and it is appropriate to consult a medical expert. Infants are more susceptible to complications, and sickness can be averted through early intervention.
The Importance of Hydration
Hydration is one of the most effective but the most ignored solutions to curing an infant’s cold. Babies themselves might not feed properly when they are unwell; however, fluids are required to loosen mucus, avoid dehydration, and aid in the recovery process.
- Breast milk or formula: Keep on giving frequent feeds, which, in addition to keeping the baby hydrated, also contain antibodies and nutrients.
- Baby in small, frequent sips: When your baby is having difficulty breastfeeding or taking the bottle, try to feed him in small sips more often.
- Check the diaper output: The healthy baby is expected to produce a minimum of 6-8 wet diapers in a day. Less than that can be an indicator that one is dehydrated.
The hydration also ensures that mucus is kept thin, and thus babies can easily clear their nasal passages.
The Making of a Comfortable and Humid Environment.
The cold symptoms will be exacerbated by a dry environment, and nose stuffiness may turn even more recalcitrant. It is possible to soothe the breathing of your baby by adding moisture to the air.
- Cool-mist humidifier: One should be positioned close to the crib of your baby, making sure that they cannot reach it, and should be kept at a comfortable level of humidity. There should be cleaning every day to avoid bacteria and mold.
- Warm baths/ steam sessions: Sitting in a hot bathroom taking 10-15 minutes helps loosen up the mucus and also clears up easily.
- Familiar room temperature: Nurse rooms should be room temperature (68-72°F or 20- 22 °C) and not too hot.
These are minor environmental modifications that will help ease the pain of your baby.
Mild Gentle Saline and Nasal Suction.
Infants are not able to clear their noses with the help of a nasal discharge; therefore, it makes clearing mucus by hand one of the best solutions that can help infants breathe more easily.
- Saline droplets or spray: These lubricate and loosen the dry mucus so that it to be removed easily. One or two drops in the nostrils before a meal or a sleep are worth a fortune.
- Nasal aspirator: A nasal aspirator is a nasal aspirator that can be used to clear the nasal tube of budding babies after saline drops. Depending on the level of comfort, select bulb syringes, manual suction, or electric aspirators.
- Timing: Suctioning should precede the administration of meals and sleep, and not too much during the day so that it irritates the nasal passages.
This saline/suction gives immediate relief and helps to be able to feed and sleep even more comfortably by your baby.
Using the Right Medications
The question that parents would ask themselves is whether over-the-counter cold medicines are any help. The fact is that the medications sold to treat colds are not safe for infants at the age of under 2 years old. Rather, emphasize supportive care.
- Fever relievers: Acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (in infants older than 6 months) can be prescribed as a remedy for fever or pain. Never miss the right amount of dosage as recommended by your child’s doctor.
- Cough syrups and decongestants should be avoided: they are not safe for babies and have dangerous side effects.
- Natural alternatives: Saline, steam, and hydration are the safest remedies.
You must never administer any medication, including herbal remedies, to your baby without consulting your doctor.
The Power of Rest
Rest is also as essential to the baby as to the adults in the case of combating a cold. When the body is well taken care of, it can concentrate on recovery.
- Take naps: Sick infants might sleep more than normal- permit.
- Establish a relaxing bedtime habit: Your infant can be relaxed with the assistance of rocking gently, lullabies, or a white noise machine, even when there is congestion.
- Elevated sleep position: With the permission of your pediatrician, it is possible to slightly elevate the head of the mattress, which will help avoid postnasal drip and make breathing easier. Directly lying under the baby is not safe, and you must never place any pillows beneath him or her.
A relaxed, peaceful atmosphere leads to a speedy recovery.
Making Your Baby Comfortable During Feeds.
When the nose of a baby is stuffy, feeding is a problem. Here’s how to make it easier:
Clear nose before feeding: Saline and nasal aspirator.
- Stick to smaller and more frequent feedings: It serves to avoid fatigue and frustration.
- Keep your baby straight: It is easier to swallow and breathe when you hold him in a slightly tilted position.
- Burp more frequently: When the baby is congested, he/she can swallow more air, which causes gas and discomfort.
These changes will provide sufficient nutrition and fluidity to your ill baby.
Knowledge of the Natural Operation of a Cold.
One should bear in mind that cold is self-limiting to a large extent and will pass. The infant’s colds normally take a period of 7-10 days, but the cough or congestion may take a little longer.
- Days 1-3: The appearance of a runny nose, sneezing, fussiness, and a slight fever may be observed.
- Days 4-6: The congestion is the highest, and this is accompanied by thicker mucus and cough.
- Day 7-10: The symptoms start to go down, energy level and appetite go up.
Supportive care at home is typically adequate as long as your baby is feeding well, urinating regularly, and does not exhibit red-flag symptoms.
Final Thoughts
It is not so much about getting a quick cure but more about comforting and supporting the baby to help him overcome the cold. Such straightforward measures as proper hydration, saline and suction with a nasal aspirator in a newborn, providing a humid environment, and allowing a baby to have a rest will help relieve symptoms significantly.
Colds are a common occurrence in childhood as the baby’s immune system is developing. As much as they may be stressful, it is also a chance to build your confidence in caregiving. It is always best to contact your pediatrician when you are worried, and of course, patience, comfort, and tender care are the best medicine.