Cold Season is ON! How to Ease Your Baby’s Symptoms

Has it happened in your house yet? In case you haven’t noticed, the head cold season is in full swing. What’s worse than having it yourself is watching your baby or toddler suffer through a cold. While head colds are common in babies, they can still be uncomfortable and worrisome. Fortunately, there are several things you can do to help your baby feel better during the head cold season.

A head cold, or rhinopharyngitis, is a viral infection of the upper respiratory tract. It can be caused by any one of a number of different viruses, but the most common is the rhinovirus, which is responsible for up to 80% of all head colds. Symptoms include a runny nose, sneezing, coughing, and a sore throat. In babies and toddlers, it can also lead to ear infections.

Offer Your Baby Fluids Frequently

Babies and toddlers need plenty of fluids when they’re sick, especially if they have a fever. Water, juice, or broth are all good choices. If your baby has already started on solid foods, consider offering popsicles, as the sucking motion helps to soothe a sore throat.

Give Your Baby a Warm Bath

Giving your baby or toddler a warm bath can help clear their congestion and ease their head cold symptoms. If possible, add some drops of lavender or eucalyptus oil to the bathwater – the vapors can help your baby breathe easier.

Create a Steam Room

Steam can help to make your baby feel better if he has a head cold. It can help him to breathe easier. You can do this by taking him into the bathroom and closing the door while you run a hot shower. The steam will help to clear his congestion and make him more comfortable.

Use a Humidifier

A cool mist humidifier is a great way to help alleviate head cold symptoms in babies and toddlers. Not only does it add moisture to the air, which helps to thin out mucus and clear congestion, but it also helps reduce coughing, sneezing, and stuffiness. Moreover, since many head colds are caused by viruses that thrive in dry air, a humidifier can even help prevent head colds.

Use Saline Drops

Saline drops are a simple but effective tool for helping relieve head cold symptoms in babies and toddlers. Saline drops, which are made up of salt water, can be used to help clear up thick mucus. To do this, simply place two to three drops into each nostril every four to six hours.

Suction Your Baby’s Snot

Using a bulb syringe to suction snot can be an effective way to help relieve head cold symptoms in babies and toddlers. A bulb syringe is a small pump device available at most drug stores. It works by creating a vacuum that helps remove mucus from the nose and sinuses, allowing your baby to breathe easier. The suction should be gentle and only used for a few seconds at a time.

Keep Your Baby Away From Smoke

Smoke can irritate your baby’s head cold symptoms, so it’s important to keep them away from any kind of smoke, including cigarettes and fireplaces.

Make Sure Your Baby Gets Plenty of Rest

It can be hard to get your baby to actually sleep when he’s uncomfortable. However, it’s important to make sure he’s in an environment that is quiet, peaceful, and conducive to rest and sleep.

Ease Head Cold Discomfort With Over-the-Counter Medications

There are several over-the-counter medications available that can help ease head cold symptoms in babies and toddlers. However, it’s important to speak with your child’s pediatrician before giving any.

Should You Call the Doctor?

There are certain cold symptoms that indicate you need to call the doctor. If your baby is experiencing any of these, it’s best to make that call.

-Fever of 101 degrees Fahrenheit or higher

-Difficulty breathing

-Persistent cough

-Vomiting

-Refusal to eat or drink

-Intense nasal congestion

-Colored mucus

-Rash.

These are just a few of the things you can do to help your baby feel better if they have head cold symptoms. Remember, head colds in babies and toddlers usually last up to two weeks, but with proper care and attention, your little one will be feeling better soon! Good luck!

*This article is not intended to provide medical advice. Please consult a healthcare provider before administering medication or making any changes to your child’s treatment plan.

Coffee Creek Studio is based out of Shelbyville, Indiana, and is owned and operated by Amy Haehl, who specializes in family and newborn photography, as well as mentoring other photographers. Coffee Creek Studio serves Indianapolis, Indiana and all surrounding areas.