Colds in babies

It can be heartbreaking to watch your baby catch a cold. With a blocked or stuffy nose, it can get hard for him to feed and sleep comfortably.

The good news is that there are things you can do to ease your baby's discomfort. And once you've gone through your baby's first cold, you'll know what to expect and how to handle the next.

How will I know if my baby has a cold or something more serious?

If your child has the common cold, he will likely continue to play and eat as before. He might need more naps to make up for the interrupted sleep caused by the cold. The interrupted sleep and discomfort of the cold can also make him more cranky than usual. But when he's rested, you'll find him playful and interactive as usual.

Symptoms of a common cold are:

• Runny nose with clear mucus that may thicken and turn white, yellow, or green
• Congestion
• Mild coughing
• Low-grade fever (but not always)

If at any point, you think your baby has trouble breathing, take him straight to the nearest hospital's emergency unit.

Take your baby to the doctor if he has a fever of 100.4 degrees F or higher and is under three months, or if he has 102.2 degrees F or higher and is older than three months.
Also consult your paediatrician if your baby:

• gets worse or doesn't improve after a week
• has a dry, hacking cough or severe cough
• is lethargic
• is unusually cranky or fussy
• has a poor appetite
• is vomiting
• has diarrhoea
• shows signs of dehydration, such as going more than six hours without a wet diaper
• has signs of an ear infection, such as ear tugging, pain when swallowing or ear drainage
• has conjunctivitis (redness, swelling and thick discharge in one or both eyes)
• has any unusual skin rash
• has any symptoms or behavior that concerns you, even if it's not specifically mentioned above

How did my baby catch a cold?

Colds are infections of the mouth, nose and throat caused by one of many different viruses. Babies tend to get a lot of colds because their immune systems are still developing and gaining strength.

A growing baby explores a lot and grabs at everything, so it's easy for his hands to come in contact with a cold virus on a surface somewhere. He can get sick when he puts his contaminated fingers in his mouth or nose, or rubs his eyes.

Someone with a cold in close contact with him can also expose him to the virus.

Your baby may get sick more often during the monsoon and winter months because cold viruses are more widespread during that time of year.

How long do colds last in babies?

Cold symptoms typically peak on day two or three when babies have a cold, then gradually improve over 10 days to two weeks. A mild cough may go on for up to three weeks.

If your baby has cold symptoms longer than a couple of weeks, or his symptoms are getting worse instead of better after a few days, call his doctor.

How do I treat a cold in babies?

Your baby's cold will go away on its own. But there are a few things you can do to ease his discomfort:

• Make sure your baby gets plenty of rest.
• Encourage your baby to have extra breastmilk or bottle feeds. If your baby is formula-fed or on solids, he can have water too. Just be sure to boil it first then let it cool if he's under six months.
• If he has a fever, and is older than three months, you could also give him paracetamol syrup under a doctor's direction. Don't give him any cold medicine without consulting your doctor first.
• Sit your baby upright when you can. Being more upright will help him to breathe more easily. Don't elevate the mattress, use a pillow or prop up the cot as sleeping on an incline increases the risk of SIDS.
  
• To protect the delicate skin of his nose from the wiping you'll need to do, you can apply a little petroleum jelly to the outside of his nostrils. Don't put too much at a time so that your baby doesn't breathe it in or eat it.
• Nasal saline drops can help clear a blocked nose. Ask your doctor if they would be suitable for your baby and then apply one or two drops to each nostril. Doing this 15 minutes before a feed can help him feed easier. Saline water drops do not have any side effects and can be easily used several times a day.
• Steam may help loosen your baby's stuffy nose. Don't put your baby close to hot steam as babies burn more easily than adults. Instead, you can take your baby to the bathroom and let the hot water tap run and steam up the room. Remember to change him to dry clothes afterwards. Read more about how to do steam with your baby.
  

Don’t give your baby any home remedies containing honey. Honey isn't safe for babies under one year.

Also, keep in mind that paediatricians do not recommend using vapour rub on babies and toddlers younger than two years as it can cause irritation and make them uncomfortable. If you’re still keen to use vapour rub for your older toddler, speak to your child’s doctor. She may be able to recommend vapour rub products made especially for young children.

How can I protect my baby from cold causing germs?

You can't stop your baby from ever getting a cold, but you can maybe reduce the number of colds he gets by practicing good hygiene.

Here are some things you can do to minimise the germs your baby is exposed to:

• Hand-washing. Make sure family members and friends wash their hands before picking up your baby. This is particularly important around newborns. And make sure you wash up too – especially after changing diapers and before preparing food.
• Stay away from sick people. To the extent you can, keep your baby away from sick children and adults.
• Cover mouth when coughing or sneezing. Teach family members to not cough or sneeze near the baby and to use a tissue (and then discard it) when they cough or sneeze. Alternatively, have kids cough or sneeze into the crook of their arm.
• Keep your baby hydrated. Breastfeed or bottle-feed frequently. When your baby starts eating solids, you can give him a little water as well. (Don't give him juice. Juice is not recommended for children under two.)
• Keep your baby's toys and pacifiers clean. This is especially important if others play with his toys as well.
• Avoid second-hand smoke. This can put your baby at higher risk for upper-respiratory problems, so stay clear of cigarette smokers, and keep your baby away from areas where someone has been smoking. Children who live with cigarette smokers have more colds, and their colds last longer than those of children who aren't exposed to smoke.
• Breastfeed for as long as you can. Experts recommend breastfeeding for a year to get the most health benefits of breastmilk. Although it's not a fail-safe guard against infection, studies have shown that breastfed babies get sick less often than formula-fed babies because the antibodies in breast milk protect against a wide variety of germs.
• Keep shots up to date. Vaccinations won't protect your baby from getting a cold, but they can prevent more serious infections.

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Read more on:

• 10 home remedies for colds in babies
• Top cold and flu myths - and the facts on keeping your child healthy
• Viral fever