The latest version of this post - Coughs Colds And A Newborn's Runny Nose - is now available
Coughs and Colds In Babies
One of the most worrying times for new parents is when their newborn gets their first cough or cold. Some parents are lucky. Perhaps it is the time of year when they are born, perhaps it is because they have strong immune systems, but some babies seem to miss the coughs and colds until two or three.
Some don't and it can cause parents a lot of concern and distress - so to baby.
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Cold Symptoms In A Newborn
Being restless and upset may be the first sign that something is not quite right. This may also be accompanied by a slight temperature rise.
A runny nose will normally follow fairly quickly and it this that causes most distress to both baby and mother. The baby appears to struggle to breath and mother feels helpless.
Treating a newborn's cold
Never resort to over the counter medication. If you feel medication is warranted, see your doctor. There are very few over the counter medications that a newborn can take - most can have severe side effects including stopping their breathing, or turning the mucus into fluids which can effectively drown the baby.
One treatment that can benefit a baby is to use a saline nose drop treatment. This can flush some of the mucus away, particularly if used with a suction device - even an eyedropper, to draw the fluids out of the nose.
If you have any sort of heating (or cooling in summer) then the air may be quite dry. Place bowls of water around the room - these will help add moisture to the air. You can also try cool mist vaporizers as well.
There are products such as eucalyptus rubs and bath decongestants, these should only be used after seeking advice from a mothercraft nurse or pharmacist.
If the child appears to be in any discomfort then ask your pharmacist for a newborn pain relief product. There are several that can be used, however the instructions do need to be followed carefully.
Feeding a newborn with a cold
One of the hardest battles, especially for breast feeding mothers, is feed time. Baby is trying to suck, however with a stuffed up nose breathing is going to be difficult. Baby needs plenty of fluids to help combat any colds, so if necessary, offer the breast/bottle in smaller amounts more frequently.
Breast fed babies handle colds a lot easier as they often receive beneficial immune system boosters through the milk. Don't distress if baby doesn't seem to handle breast feeding well during this time. Persevere for long as possible as even the smallest amounts will help baby. If necessary, obtain a pump and collect your milk to use in a bottle.
A cough or cold normally takes up to ten days to go away. You know your baby so trust your instincts. If things don't feel right, take baby to the doctor or hospital as soon as possible.
Most importantly, stay calm, stay in control and stay healthy yourself. The more stress you place on yourself, the more likely you will pick up the same cough or cold from baby.
Other articles from the Baby series:
How To Treat Colds In A New Born
Baby's First Days At Home
Baby Crawl Tips
How To Get Your Baby To Settle
The First Moments Of Your Baby's Life
Why Babies Cry
Cord Blood Banking
My oldest didn't get her
My oldest didn't get her first cold til about 9 months. My 2nd and 3rd children didn't get sick til a year old. Now here I am with a 3 week old and she has her first cold. We went to the dr and it's only a cough, but it's nerve wracking bc you constantly worry. She's a January baby and being as my other 3 are in school (16, 7 and 8) it's really hard to keep germs away even though the kids have been keeping their distance. I just wish I could keep her in a bubble. :-(
Re First Time Mom
I would suggest you take him to the doctor. There are many different reasons for coughing. With diarrhea it could be a lactose intolerance or an allergic reaction to other factors. There is a simple rule I follow for little ones under 12 months = when in doubt scream and shout - straight to your family doctor or the local hospital.
Thanks for visiting - let us know what the outcome is.
Les
First time MOM
My son has been coughing alot especially when he sleeps. He doesnt have a runny nose but he sounds congested when he coughs n when he sleeps at night. He hasnt had a fever yet but has diarrhea, sweats alot when he sleeps (in just a onesie) and wakes up crying most of the time. He doesnt drink his formula as much as he use to and he's about to be 4 months. I tried the humidifier, baby tyenol, baby vicks, and proping him up with a bobby pillow to help him. It seems like nothing is working. He's coughs up his formula and has been like this for 4 days now. HELP! What is wrong with him? What should i do?
I have an 11 year old and 4
I have an 11 year old and 4 week old newborn. The eldest attends school and I was hoping no bugs would find their way home but they have. My 4 week old has a stuffy nose and seems to be laboring at breathing (the pediatrician said that newborns breathe using their stomach muscles more) and to be concerned moreso if the baby is using her ribs and chest muscles to breathe. This is highly stressful to monitor since it's hard to differentiate. I am thankful to read one part of this article however because I had been worried about the nursing or possible lack-there-of. She is nursing and now that I know she doesn't have to be 15 to 20 min straight per breast, I know she'll recover under both my and the doctor's watchful eye.
Haha comments
I hope they don't read as haha comments. A young child with a cold is no laughing matter, especially a two week old. Some parents do get lucky and their children are cough and cold free early on. Breast fed is supposed to provide some protection but that is not always the case.
Our eldest was virtually free of coughs of colds for her first few years - now she is at school she brings every bug home with her. Our 14 month old seems to have had a cough or cold of some description every two months since birth.
What is important is how we deal with each cold that comes along, not the why or hows. I hope my article helps out in some way.
thanks for your comment and I hope your two week old gets over the congestion quickly.
Les
thanks
your right on the button about them "haha" parents writing that...my 2 week old baby had a bit of nasal congestion last night that was worrying me at 1 a.m. and reading that made me a bit more stressed thinking Im not doing something right...am I alone here?? hopefully not...so thanks for saying something :)
good write up, very
good write up, very interesting read
Your blog looks great... I liked it a lot.
Parents with children that
Parents with children that are showing symptoms of a cold are referring to this page for help. Why on earth would you post notes about your kids never getting sick on this page? Thats great to read at the end of the article... it is almost a Ha-Ha, my kid never got sick. Go post this somewhere else!
lucky
My eldest didn't really get sick until she started school - then everyone had it. That's school for you.
Guess I was lucky, my kids
Guess I was lucky, my kids never got sick for the first 2 years :)
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