Average Age for Baby’s First Cold
Baby Cold Symptoms
How Long Does a Cold Last in Babies?
Home Remedies for a Baby Cold
Create a steam room. If your child is coughing a lot, bring them to the bathroom, close the door and turn the shower to piping hot until steam fills the room. The humidity will help break up the mucus, Blumberg says.
Turn on a cool mist humidifier. To help baby sleep better (and aid with congestion and coughing), use a cool mist humidifier in the nursery; it works to infuse more humidity in baby’s room, which naturally has lower humidity level at night. Avoid hot water vaporizers because they can potentially result in burns.
Suction baby’s nose. When congestion is making it hard for baby to breathe properly, remove the mucus with a nasal aspirator. If you’re using a traditional suction bulb, simply squeeze the bulb to create suction, insert the tip into baby’s nostril and slowly release.
Try saline nose drops. Sometimes baby’s mucus is too thick to effectively suction out. Break up the mucus first by putting a few drops of saline in baby’s nose and then suction it out, Scott suggests.
Keep baby flat on their back. Wondering if there are optimal sleeping positions for babies with a cold? Unlike adults, it’s not safe to have baby sleep on an incline. According to the AAP, babies under a year old should always sleep flat on their back on a firm, non-inclined surface.
When to Call the Doctor About a Baby Cold
Trouble breathing. “If the child is having difficulty breathing or breathing very rapidly—so actively that they’re sucking in their ribs—that’s a warning sign,” Blumberg says. Wheezing is also a symptom to be on the lookout for.
Violent coughing fits. This can be a sign that your child may have something other than a baby cold—like whooping cough, for example, which can be serious.
High fever. If a baby under 6 weeks old has a temperature of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, call your pediatrician, Posner says.
Signs of dehydration. If baby isn’t wetting their diaper every six hours or so, let your pediatrician know.
Baby Cold Products to Stock Up On
Preventing Baby Colds
Keep sick people away from baby. Remember, colds are contagious. “If someone says they have a slightly scratchy throat or are at the tail end of a cold, they can come visit another time,” Posner says.
Make sure people wash their hands before touching baby. Viruses can linger on people’s hands and be transmitted through touch. “Especially during the winter, when we’re often at holiday celebrations and baby is being passed around, they’re at risk of getting exposed to infections,” Blumberg says. “Make sure people wash their hands before holding the baby to prevent infection.”
Try to breastfeed. Breastfeeding isn’t for everyone, and that’s totally okay. If you do decide to breastfeed though, know that it helps build immunity, which means your little one is less likely to catch a baby cold.
