Remedies for Baby Cold

Signs and symptoms of a common cold in a baby may include:

Fever.

Sneezing.

Coughing.

Decreased appetite.

Irritability.

Difficulty sleeping.

Trouble nursing or taking a bottle due to nasal congestion.

How long does a cold last for? 

Cold symptoms usually start 2 or 3 days after a person has been exposed to the virus. People with colds are most contagious for the first 3 or 4 days after the symptoms begin and can be contagious for up to 3 weeks. Although some colds can linger for as long as 2 weeks, most clear up within a week.

What to do:

·         Tip your child's head back or lay him on his back with a rolled-up towel supporting his head.

·         Squeeze two or three drops of saline solution into each nostril to thin and loosen the mucus. 

·         Squeeze the bulb of the syringe, then gently insert the rubber tip into his nostril.

·         Use saline and suction.

·         Make sure he gets plenty of rest.

·         Offer extra breastfeeds or bottle feeds. Your baby will need plenty of fluids to fight off the infection.

·         Give the correct dose of infant paracetamol or infant ibuprofen. 

·         Breathing in steam may help to relieve your baby's cough.

·         Remove the bulb and squeeze any mucus onto a tissue.

·         If your baby gets really upset when you use the syringe, try saline drops instead.

·         Squirt a small amount into his nose, then gently swipe his lower nostrils with a cotton swab.

·         Be careful not to insert the swab inside his nostrils.

A few home treatments can make your little one comfortable again.

·         Try Saline (Saltwater) Drops. You can buy this at the store.

·         Remove the Sticky Stuff.

·         Sometimes mucus hardens into a crusty or sticky mess around your baby's nose.

·         Vaporize.

·         Give Love Pats.

·         Know When to Wait It Out.

Here are eight ways to help your congested baby breathe -- so you can, too:

·         Get to the Root of the Problem.

·         Use Saline Drops.

·         Suction With a Bulb Syringe.

·         Take a Steamy Bath.

·         Run a Cool Mist Humidifier.

·         Keep Your Baby Hydrated.

·         Keep Your Baby Upright.

·         Avoid Irritants.