Babies are especially likely to get the common cold, in part because they're often around older children. Also, they have not yet developed immunity to many common infections. Within the first year of life, most babies have six to eight colds. They may have even more if they're in child care centers.
If your baby catches the common cold, try not to worry. A cold caused by a virus isn't typically something concerning—other than the fussiness and sleepless nights that may follow. However, viruses can escalate into a more serious illness which can potentially be dangerous for young infants.
When it comes to visitors, those who have colds or other respiratory illnesses should not hold your newborn. If they do not have a runny nose, sore throat, or cough, it is ok for them to hold your baby, as long as they wash their hands or use alcohol hand gel prior to holding him/her.
Babies can't adjust to temperature changes as well as adults. Babies can lose heat rapidly, nearly 4 times faster than an adult. Premature and low-birthweight babies don't have much body fat. Their bodies may not be ready to control their own temperature, even in a warm environment.
The truth about viruses is that they are usually pretty contagious even before you have symptoms. That's why viral illnesses are always going around. And even if you know you're sick, you still have to care for your baby, so there's definitely a chance you'll pass it along.
If your baby is younger than 3 months of age, call his or her doctor early in the illness. In newborns, it's especially important to make sure that a more serious illness isn't present, especially if your baby has a fever. In general, you don't need to see the doctor if your older baby has a common cold.
Baby colds are generally not a reason to see a GP
If your baby is feeding, drinking, eating and breathing normally and there's no wheezing, there isn't usually anything to worry about. However, see your GP or call 111 if: they have a high temperature (38°C or more) or are hot and shivery.
My baby has a cold - when to see the doctor
See the doctor if your child's cold symptoms become worse rather than better after a few days or if their fever is worsening. If your toddler develops severe earache, a very sore throat or is having breathing problems you need to seek urgent medical advice.
Breastfed babies tend to get fewer colds and recover faster with less severe symptoms. Breastmilk is chock full of powerful chemicals called antibodies.
Breastfed babies have fewer infections and hospitalizations than formula-fed infants. During breastfeeding, antibodies and other germ-fighting factors pass from a mother to her baby and strengthen the immune system. This helps lower a baby's chances of getting many infections, including: ear infections.
“Distance yourself or use precautions until your fever breaks for 24 hours or you no longer have symptoms,” said Dr. Shalini Ravi, a Marshfield Clinic Health System internal medicine/pediatrics physician. Sick children who live in the house should stay away from the baby as much as possible.
First, infants do not have fully developed immune systems, so they are more susceptible to infectious illnesses. Also, when a newborn gets an infection, the illness is often more serious than when an adult or older child gets the same infection.
Although your baby's hands and face may feel cold, this may differ from their core body temperature. To give you a better idea if they are warm or cold, feel the skin on their tummy and back. Their skin should feel warm and not too hot or cold.
Most cases are mild, but for some children, an ordinary cold or flu can quickly turn into respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Severe cases may require emergency department treatment or hospitalization.
Call Your Doctor If:
Any fever if under 12 weeks old. Nasal discharge lasts more than 14 days. Cough lasts more than 3 weeks. You think your child needs to be seen.
While illness is not normal for a newborn, there are some conditions that are common in the first few weeks after birth. Watch your newborn for signs of any of these conditions and call their doctor if you see symptoms.
Neonatal danger signs are signs that sick neonates show as stated by World Health Organization (WHO), which include not able to feed, or stopped feeding well, convulsed or fitted since birth, fast breathing (two counts of 60 breaths or more in one minute), chest in drawing, high temperature (37.5°C or more), very low ...
Carry hand sanitizer.
While experts say that soap and water is the best way to get rid of germs, alcohol-based hand sanitizers work very well too. Always have a bottle with you when you're out and about. If someone insists on touching, ask that they take a dab of it on their hands first to keep your baby healthy.
Immunity in newborn babies is only temporary and starts to decrease after the first few weeks or months. Breast milk also contains antibodies, which means that babies who are breastfed have passive immunity for longer.
Kissing your baby will change your breast milk
When you kiss your baby, you are sampling the pathogens on her skin, which are then transferred to your lymphatic system where you will produce antibodies to any bugs. These antibodies will then pass through your breast milk to your baby and boost her immune system.
In general, pseudoephedrine, dextromethorphan, NSAID pain relievers, acetaminophen, and second-generation allergy medications such as Zyrtec and Claritin are considered safe options for treating cold symptoms while breastfeeding.