Common cold in babies Diagnosis and treatment
Table of Content
In general, you don't need to see the doctor if your older baby has a common cold. If you have questions or if your baby's symptoms worsen or don't go away, it might be time to see the doctor. Wash your and your baby’s hands frequently during this time to avoid infections. Ensure that the baby gets 18 hours of sleep, and toddlers or older kids get a minimum of 8 hours of sleep when they have a cold and cough. As mentioned above, it’s not really possible to cure a common cold but there are certain precautions you can take to prevent it from infecting your child. Remember to give your baby an age-appropriate remedy for his cold and cough.
You can try teaching kids ages six and up to gargle with salt water to help relieve a sore throat. Chicken soup is always the best place to start whenever you are talking about home remedies for cold relief. A baby’s cold can be treated with this remedy as well, provided your baby is weaned and eating. Chicken soup contains a number of nutrients which help speed antioxidants to your child’s immune system as well as help relieve congestion. This age-old remedy is really useful and my grandmother used to put this for me and my brother.
#21. Steam Inhalation
Try using it about 15 minutes before feeding your child. See to it that your child has plenty of water during the day as the fight to destroy the germs in the body can leave the kid severely tired and hydrated. Water will help to reduce the fever and keep the cold in check. Water is a general detoxifier that naturally cleanses the body and allows unwanted germs to be relieved via the urinary tract.
Mustard oil, garlic and ajwain have anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties. They have a soothing effect on the baby as they ease congestion. Heat 1/4th cup of mustard oil and add 2 cloves of crushed garlic and carom seeds to it. Massage this oil on the baby’s chest and under his feet. Run some hot water in your bath and let the steam accumulate.
#13. Plenty Of Warm Water
Formula-fed babies and babies on solids can have extra water. Along with water extra fluids such as juices can be also given to the child to further strengthen the immune system and in time the child will start feeling better. Like the nasal strips made for adults, kids' versions reportedly use gentle pressure to lift the nostrils so it's easier to breathe while sleeping. They don't contain any medication, and are appropriate for kids ages 5 and up. Just place the strips as directed across your child's nose at bedtime and remove them in the morning.
Coming down with a cold is a pretty miserable experience. You’re tired, uncomfortable and ready to just feel better. Remember to check the labels on all over-the-counter medication before administering it to your child to be sure it's age-appropriate. Contact your child's doctor if you have any questions about dosing. If your child's cough symptoms aren't improving or are getting worse, another illness could be to blame.
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However, they won't prevent a cold or shorten its duration, and most have some side effects. In infants, experts recommend putting several saline drops into one nostril, then gently suctioning that nostril with a bulb syringe. To do this, squeeze the bulb, gently place the syringe tip in the nostril about 1/4 to 1/2 inch , and slowly release the bulb.
Teach your child to cover his/her nose while sneezing. If cold is caused by bacteria, then the symptoms are severe. However if it is caused as a result of an allergy, the symptoms subside in a short time. BabyCenter is committed to providing the most helpful and trustworthy pregnancy and parenting information in the world. Our content is doctor approved and evidence based, and our community is moderated, lively, and welcoming. A neti pot looks like a very small watering can or teapot and is typically ceramic, metal, or plastic.
This remedy is best suited for older kids who have been introduced to the ingredients. A humidifier will help provide some relief from cough and cold by moistening dry air. A humidifier can be used in the baby’s room while he is asleep. Ensure that you clean the humidifier regularly or they begin to house mould and bacteria which can affect your child’s health.
The cool water on their skin evaporates and helps to reduce overall body temperature. One general home remedy for all colds that should be considered, at any age, is a room humidifier. A room humidifier helps to loosen mucus and tends to promote relaxation as well, both of which will help relieve your baby’s cold and keep him or her breathing easier. One of the two main pillars of getting over any cold is to consume plenty of liquids.
It helps ease throat irritation arising due to cough. However, give this solution only to those toddlers who know how to spit out the solution after gargling. As mentioned earlier, a cold environment becomes a breeding ground for cold and cough. If the baby has only a slight cold and cough, it is advisable to keep him snug and warm. If he is running a temperature, then do the opposite. It is advisable not to add to the high temperature the baby already is suffering from, and loose thin clothes can help reduce his temperature to an extent.
“Antibiotics work against bacterial infections,” Desai explained. “The common cold is caused by a virus,” making colds viral infections — not bacterial. As mentioned above, hydration is a key way to treat your cold.
Carrots contain essential nutrients and vitamins that help boost the immune system. This is one of the best home remedies to treat cold in toddlers. Carrots can be steamed, mashed and diluted with some room temperature water for babies aged 6 months and above . For older kids who can digest fresh fruit juices, you can go for fresh carrot juice. There is no remedy or cure that is greater than the only natural food for a newborn human – the breast milk.
Do not neglect the cold or cough; this may lead to something more serious such aspneumonia. For a child over 4 years, gargling with salt water is also a good option. Monitor your child while he does it as they don’t like to do it. Make small balls using jaggery, ajwain and black pepper powder and make your child keep it in his mouth. These sweet balls will be well-liked by your munchkin and help to reduce the cold as well.
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