If your baby has a cold with no complications, it should resolve within 10 to 14 days. Most colds are simply a nuisance. But it's important to take your baby's signs and symptoms seriously. If symptoms don't improve or if they worsen, it's time to talk to your doctor.
Symptoms of a cold in an infant generally start with a low grade fever and nasal congestion. Infants get all plugged up inside and then two to three days later generally start having a lot of post-nasal drip, increasing a cough and causing a runny nose.
A: While it might be comfortable for your baby to sleep with a congested nose, it's considered safe for most children.
Clap (percuss) your child's chest or back with your cupped hand. This loosens mucus and helps it move. Be sure the area is covered with thin clothing or a cloth.
The best default position for your baby to be in when they have a cold is upright. This helps for congestion to clear and for breathing to become easier. And, most importantly, it helps them get that vital rest they need so much. To achieve this, consider wearing your baby on your chest while they nap.
A parent should never apply Vicks VapoRub to children under 2 years old. For those interested in using a similar product without camphor, Vicks BabyRub is available. Parents and caregivers should use caution and read all instructions before applying Vicks to their children.
Children's colds
Most colds get better in 5 to 7 days but can take up to 2 weeks in small children. Here are some suggestions for how to ease the symptoms in your child: Make sure your child drinks plenty of fluids. Saline nose drops can help loosen dried snot and relieve a stuffy nose.
If your baby has a high fever, shaking/chills, rapid breathing, complete refusal to drink any fluids/nurse, unusually low energy, or is difficult to wake, has blue-tinged lips, face, or chest, call 911 and seek medical attention immediately. We know that having a baby with a cold can be hard on both you and your baby.
Colds are not serious. With a cold, about 5 to 10% of children develop a complication. Most often, this is an ear or sinus infection. These are caused by a bacteria.
Use saline drops or spray
Nasal spray works by thinning out the mucus, allowing the nose to clear out and ease congestion. If you can't run to the store for saline drops or spray, try mixing one cup of warm, filtered water and a ½ teaspoon of salt. Make sure your mixture is completely cooled before using.
You can use a humidifier in your baby's room while they sleep to loosen mucus. Ask the pediatrician if you can use saline. You can put one or two drops of saline in the nose to loosen mucus. Massage your baby's nose, eyebrows, cheekbones, and bottom of the head.
Giving a lukewarm bath (not a cold-water bath) to a sick baby can help the body regulate temperature back to a more normal level. Infant acetaminophen and ibuprofen can also help bring down a temperate. Make sure to check the product instruction, and talk to your doctor if you plan to use over-the-counter medications.
Things you can try to get through the night: 1) Run a cool-mist humidifier in your child's room for a few nights. 2) If your child is over 12mo, give 1tsp of honey (preferably buckwheat honey). This has been shown to be more effective than cough suppressants in children.
The theory is that the pacifier prevents the upper airway from getting blocked by the tongue. Some experts believe that they push any bedding away from the baby's nose, thereby helping them breathe, or that they can calm agitated babies and prevent them from struggling in the crib and getting under the bedding.
Stuffy noses and coughs often make it tough for babies to get a good night's sleep. Not only are they uncomfortable but, if a congested baby needs a pacifier to sleep, stuffiness makes that much more difficult.
Mucus. When your child's nose is stuffy or blocked with mucus, they may breathe through their mouth out of necessity. Anatomical problems. One of the most common anatomical problems that lead to mouth breathing is a significantly deviated septum.
Severe nasal congestion that makes it hard for your child to sleep is not 'trouble breathing. ' If your child is struggling, especially if the spaces between the ribs are sinking in, nostrils are flaring, or skin is pale or gray, the child needs to be immediately seen.”
If the congestion interferes with a baby's ability to feed or sleep, or if their baby is older than 3 months and has a fever, they should talk with their baby's pediatrician. A healthcare provider will be able to diagnose the issue and provide additional care if symptoms do not improve.