First Cold! What Do I Do?

Simply saline is great for opening the nose and fighting nasal congestion. Also baby Vicks is wonderful for helping with coughing and chest congestion. Also, a vaporizer with Vics vaposteam will help with coughing and restlessness at night. That's how I got my daughter through her first cold and many thereafter!

Put a humidifier in his room. Germguardian is a good brand (easy cleanup + refill) as it has cool or warm mist depending on type of cough.
Ride it out. Tyleno at night tohelp him sleep is ok. And lots of cuddles. Water to keep him hydrated too.

so sorry to hear your little guy is sick. What I do as soon as I see my 10 month old getting a little stuffy is turn on the humidifier. Put a little bit of vicks in there. It should help him breath better.

I would use the vaporizer.. they work great. Also I put a telephone book under the mattress in the crib.. and then the crib would be higher on one side.. this would help with breathing when they are sleeping.. good luck..

As long as he has no fever above 100.4 and he is eating and more importantly drinking, then noo need to visit the doctor. But call if you're worried.

Lots of fluids is best with a humidifier at night - keep it clean. And wash your hands a lot or you'll be next!!

Use your gut instinct and his level of discomfort as your guide. If the fever spikes of lasts more than a few days, it is a clue that it may warrant a tript to the doc... other than that, your instinct will tell you if you need to go. To make him comfortable... if you are breastfeeding, let him nurse as much as he wants. And if you are not, just hold him as much as he needs... I hope he's feeling better soon!

Hi. I would turn the hot water on in the shower and sit in th the bathroom with him so that the steam will loosen any phlem. This is what my doc advised whenever my son had a cold at that age. As far as taking him. Call first and see what the doctor recomends.

Avoid dairy products. I wouldn't give Tylenol. You will be setting him up for life-long issues. It will inhibit fevers which are beneficial to burning up viruses and bacteria. I didn't know this until it was too late. My daughter can never get a good fever now when she's sick and it takes a lot longer to get well without the body's natural fever mechanism working. Tylenol is toxic to the liver and most people never read the side effects. Be sure to do so and weigh the risks first if you go that route.

Have him eat fresh raw fruits. Oranges are great if he can tolerate them or fresh pressed juices, grapes (mash or blend to avoid choking danger), banana, etc. No white flour products.

Wishing him (and you!) a speedy recovery!

Hi R.,
It's so hard when they're sick and so small. You don't need to take him to the Dr. unless the symptoms last longer than 10 days. I'd say if it's not gone after 12 days, take him because it may have turned into a sinus infection. I found that Ayr brand saline spray helped my son. He hated when I sprayed it (I didn't do a full squirt) in his nose, but it cleared everything up so he could breathe which was key especially at night! And it's not a drug it's just salt water. Poor little guy. Hope he's on the mend soon!

Give the doc a call and ask him/her what to do. The doc will be able to let you know the best way to keep your son comfortable and happy.

No cold is fun but the first was the hardest for me.. figuring out what to do. When my daughter was so stuffed so couldn't nurse, she would eat crushed ice and I would rock her upright and sometimes nurse her in a steamed filled bathroom. Good luck. I think if there's no high fever or other odd symptoms, you probably don't need to go the pediatrician.

aawww poor little man! Unless there is a fever or concerning cough, I wouldn't worry about taking him to the dr. Put a humidifier in his room or let the hot water run in the bathroom with the door shut for steam. Cold things to eat are ideal....my son loves popsicles, frozen pedialyte pops, jello, frozen fruit, things like that when he's not feeling well. If he's drinking milk already, I'd make sure to cut back on the dairy as dairy contributes to the mucous, making it much thicker and worse...give lots of water mixed with a little bit of juice instead. I've heard that rubbing vicks on their feet helps their breathing also, but haven't tried it myself yet. My son also loves warm bubble baths when he's sick, just try not to wet his hair if possible, makes them feel cold. :( If my son is really, really sick, I turn to motrin or tylenol to help him sleep at night. Give him lots of cuddles. That makes everything better.

Hope he feels better soon!
Lynsey

I like the last message you got. Fever is the body's way of fighting off infection in the body. But when it goes too high, then it's an issue. Since this is the first time, it's natural for you to question and worry, but don't stress out because it will do you no good. But, like the last message, if you want to bring him to the dr's feel free so you can be at ease, or you can call and ask them and they will tell you what to do and if you really think it's an issue, go to the dr's. Also, have him eat fruits and if he's not hungry, make him drink and drink and drink plenty of fluids to keep him hydrated. Also, like someone else said, elevate his head to help him breathe better.
I was wondering if he has allergies? But perhaps it is a cold. YOu are his mother and you're with him 24/7 so you know what he has and what he does or doesn't do. I pray for you and your son.....

Hey R.,

Sounds like just a cold. there are some things that i would watch for like a fever above 100 usually this means there is something else brewing. Make sure he drinks alot of fluids, chicken broth with pastina is great it has a alot of protien to fight of colds. Keep him warm so he does not get a chill avoid baths for a few days and maybe motrin if he seems to really be suffering. He needs to rest so keep him as quiet as possible. lots of fluids and vicks baby rub on the chest works great. Little noses and steamy baths work great as well. Good luck i hope he feels better soon.

if I repeat what others said sorry...I didn't read their responses... as a mother my rule is TRUST your gut!!!!! As a rule if a fever hasn't gone away by day 3(or symptoms are getting worse), I hit the dr's office...but seriously don't drive yourself crazy with worry, if going to the dr will make you feel better...GO!!! a stressed out mommy has a harder time caring for a sick child. and again TRUST your gut!! Here's my fav example...our 5th baby was teething, I told my husband something else is wrong, I need to take him to the dr...my husband gave me such a hard time"C., he's your 5th, you should reconize it's just teething by now..." well I went to my ped anyway(by this time I was in a huge fight with my husband) I got to the dr and by that time my 6month old who had a fever at home of 102 was at 106 and we were rushed to the ER as he had pnuemonia, one lung was full and he was working off of 1/2 of the other one...my Dr said he wouldn't have made it through the night...I trusted my gut even when my husband thought I was wrong, now we both trust my gut :)So if going to the dr makes you feel better...go!

Unless he's running a fever I'd wait it out and try to avoid medicating him. To ease his congestion, gently spray Baby Ayr or other saline solution into his nostrils, wait a few minutes and then suction out the mucous. Do you still have the nasal aspirator they gave you at the hospital when he was born? If not, many baby first aid kits come with them. Running the hot water in the shower and standing in the bathroom with your son breathing in the steam will also help. If all else fails, there's always good ol' fashioned Vicks Vapo-Rub. My mom used to warm it up on a spoon until it melted to liquid and rub it into my chest and underneath my nose, then cover my chest with a soft cloth. It worked wonders.

Put your son on his stomach at nap and bedtime to let his nose drain. At 11 months old he's likely past the danger of SIDS (plus I'm sure he rolls over in his sleep by now), so it's ok to let him sleep on his stomach.

Let him eat if he wants to, but increase his fluid intake. Above all, give him lots of TLC. It's his first cold and the little guy is going to be miserable.

I would hold off on the doctor trip if there is no fever and no sign of an ear infection or other pain/discomfort. Also if the symptoms don't seem to improve after about a week or so. The suggestion of the humidifier is a great. Also prop the crib mattress a bit so the baby is on an angle, helps with the cough and stuffyness at night. Tylenol if the baby seems cranky, uncomfortable...I know how I feel with a cold and tylenol helps me with the aches and pains and overall discomfort, so I give it to my baby too! Warm baths. Comforting, relaxing and the steam helps to break up the congestion. If your baby is really really cranky and miserable though or gets a fever (101.00) I'd give the doctor a call just to be sure there isn't something more serious going on. My son particularly has a high tolerance so there were times I did't think he was really sick but he was. I'm sure your baby will be fine. Tis the season for the sickness to start I think!

Wow! 11 months, and this is his first cold?! Congratulations! LOL My kids never made it past 4 months.

I suggest riding the colds out...if your baby is having trouble sleeping at night (due to the sniffles, etc.), I would suggest as low a dose of Tylenol as you can get away with (to help with the sore throat), perhaps some baby Vicks vapour rub (it's lavendar based, so it's safe for kids - look for the purple lid) and a humidifier (we love the Crane brand ones - available at Target and Babies r' Us. They're about $20, they're cute, and the tank is small enough to fit under the faucet in your sink, so you don't have to use a bathtub to fill it up.)

Good luck!!

Hi R.,

As long as it is just a cold - no fever, there is no need for a doctor. Colds do not require medical treatment, there is no treatment for them, and the doctor is for medical diagnosis and treatment. There's nothing that the doctor can do about baby not feeling well from a cold. I'd suggest making sure he's well hydrated, and if his nose is really runny, a bit of vaseline under his nose - they can get pretty irritated there from all the nose running. It is okay to take him outside with a cold, and some fresh air may actually help him.
I hope your little guy is feeling better soon!

When my kids were little mom told me that if a child has a cold to put a humidifier in their bedroom at night, give them a little Tylenol if needed, and wait it out. Most colds will last about 7 days if you do this. Or they will last about a week if you do nothing for them. And she was right (she usually was). There is no cure for a cold, all the meds in the world only make the child a bit more comfortable while they have it. A humidifier, Tylenol and lots of hugs and kisses. That's all he needs.

Sorry - addendum to my response...
I meant 101 rectally. Also - watch out for ear tugging bc the cold could move to his ear and turn into an infection.
:-)

Hi R.!
Wow, well, #1, consider yourself lucky that you got to 11 months without him every getting a cold. Mine is almost 9 months and is on his 3rd right now. Colds are miserable. My advice:
- Get Johnson's Vabor Bath and put a capful in his bathwater
- Vick's Baby Rub, put a little bit on his feet at bedtime and cover with socks/footie pj's - helps them breathe at night
- Run a cool mist humidifer in his room at naps and nighttime (make sure to clean it daily so bacteria doesn't build up in it)
-Tylenol him if he is uncomfortable/running a temp
-Elevate his bed (with books or a wedge) so that the nasal stuff has a place to go and doesn't stop him up
-Use Little Noses saline spray (esp before giving a bottle and bedtime) to thin his mucous and open his nose
-Suction the mucous out (they hate this, just grin and bare it bc it helps them in the long run)
-Obvious: give lots of cuddles.

Little Noses also makes saline wipes for the nose - it soft and wet so it feels good on a little nose that has been wiped with tissues.

That's about all you can do.

If he gets a temp of higher then 105F rectally definitely call the doctor - but I'm pretty sure, at his age, with a cold - you don't need to call the doctor. I would definitely just keep an eye on him and his temp, but of course go with your gut - if you feel like a call to the doc is warranted, then go ahead - it's what they're there for.

Good luck. Hope he feels better really soon.
:-)

R.,

You've gotten great advice so far, I'm not going to repeat anything, but I would add elevating his head while sleeping. You don't have to use a pillow, you can raise one side of his crib with something stable. Just a few inches will do the trick. Its incredibly hard to sleep flat on your back with a stuffy nose, it feels terrible.

I hope he feels better soon.
R.