How to Overcome Colds in Infants?

Snot discharge or clear fluid from the nose, which can turn into yellowish or greenish after one week is a sign that your baby has a cold. A cough or slight fever may accompany the symptoms of this cold. But in general, babies still want to eat or play normally.

Actions that Can Be Done at Home

Photo by @sabine_van_straaten

Snot discharge during colds is a form of the body's immune resistance to get rid of germs in the body. However, if snot comes out of the nose too much, it can interfere with the baby's breathing.

Here are some ways to relieve the symptoms of colds in infants that parents can do at home:

• Place the baby in a room without air conditioning to reduce nasal congestion. If the baby is more comfortable in an air-conditioned room, use an air humidifier or use hot steam. You can add essential oils like menthol.
• If a baby's runny nose is very annoying, you can use salt water that dripped into the tip of the baby's nostrils to thin the mucus. Then, use soft cotton soaked in warm water to clean the nose.
• Gently pat the baby's back to help relieve his blocked breathing. Lay the baby on his stomach on his knees or let the baby sit on his lap, leaning forward.
• To avoid irritation, you can rub petroleum jelly on the outside of your nostrils.
• You can clean nasal fluid or hardened mucus on the baby's nose using cotton wool soaked in warm water.
• You can provide warm tea for babies over the age of 6 months. This condition can help relieve nasal congestion.

Don't Recklessly Give Medication

Throughout your baby's eating pattern or baby's activities are not disturbed, you don't need to take special measures or use drugs to treat colds in your baby.

Avoid using over-the-counter medicines for children under 6 years of age because of the possibility of dangerous side effects. The medication should always be given through a doctor's supervision.

If the baby has a fever, then consult with your doctor about the possibility of giving paracetamol or ibuprofen. Never give baby aspirin because it can risk causing dangerous side effects.

Conditions to Watch Out for

Although a cold is one of the common diseases experienced by babies, several conditions make parents need to be alert and immediately consult a doctor, including:

• Colds accompanied by coughing and fever of more than 39 degrees Celsius in children under three months, or fever is reaching more than 40 degrees Celsius in children over three months.
• Your baby has a fever lasting more than two days.
• Watery eyes or eye discharge.
• Coughing gets worse or accompanied by rapid breathing; a wheezing sound occurs when the baby breathes.
• Significant changes in diet or sleep, often drowsiness or fuss.
• Babies cry when they suckle while rubbing or pulling their ears and cry when put on the bed.
• Colds do not improve after 7-10 days

Babies have poor immunity and are at risk of experiencing various diseases. Therefore, colds in infants accompanied by severe symptoms, must be aware of. Consult with your doctor for an appropriate and safe treatment for the baby.

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