I think my baby has a cold, what should I do?

A "cold" or upper respiratory infection (URI) is a viral infection that is easily spread from person to person. The average healthy child will get 6-8 URI's per year, more if a child attends daycare or playgroups.

Symptoms will last 7-10 days and include:

• Runny or stuffy nose (clear, yellow, or green mucus is normal)
• Sometimes a cough, hoarse voice, sore throat, swollen glands
• Usually a fever (less than 102 F)

Home Treatment:

• Use a bulb syringe and a saline nose drop or spray to gently remove nasal secretions or crusting as often as needed to help baby breathe
• Encourage fluids...a baby who can breathe through his nose will drink and sleep better, breast milk and formula are fine to give
• Place a cool-mist humidifier in the baby's room
• Take baby into a steamy bathroom for 10-15 minutes, or give a warm bath

Medications:

• Antibiotics DO NOT work for viral infections like colds and flus
• Over-the-counter cold medications offer little to no benefit for babies and young children, it is best to avoid their use
• Acetaminophen or ibuprofen (6 mo and older) may be given for fever or discomfort, but this will not cure a cold or shorten the course

Prevention:

• Avoid undue exposure to other children at health clubs, playgroups and those restaurants with all the "toys", especially the 1st year of life
• Frequent handwashing!!!

Call our office if:

• Your baby has a cold and/or fever and is 3 months old or younger
• Your baby has difficulty breathing and does not improve after suctioning the nose
• Your baby acts very sick or is getting worse
• The fever is 102F or higher or fever lasting more than 2-3 days
• Cold symptoms lasting more than 10 days
• Your baby will not drink or sleep
• Your child has discharge from eyes, increasing sore throat or earache
• You have other questions or concerns