How did my baby catch a cold?
It's practically a given that your baby will catch a cold during the first year – the numerous viruses that cause colds are nearly impossible to avoid. In fact, it's estimated that children catch up to eight colds a year. Viruses are spread through airborne droplets and by touching contaminated objects, like toys. Your baby can't fight them off as easily as you can because his or her immune system is less well developed.
On top of this, your baby is constantly putting his or her fingers near the eyes and in the mouth, giving any viruses lurking on the hands easy passage into the body, where they can set up camp. If your baby is in group daycare or has older siblings, he or she is even more likely to come into contact with some of the hundreds of different cold germs.
Common symptoms of a baby's cold include sneezing, watery eyes, stuffiness, coughing, runny nose, fussiness, and low-grade fever. These symptoms usually last for about a week.
How can I make my baby more comfortable?
Loosen up mucus with a few squirts of nasal saline, suction stuffy nostrils with a rubber bulb syringe or other nasal suction device, and use a cool-mist vaporizer or humidifier in the room where he or she sleeps. These steps help keep mucus thin and moving, so your baby can breathe more easily. Remember that babies like to breathe through their nose instead of their mouth, so a clogged nose can make for an unhappy baby. You might also try giving smaller and more frequent feedings, since it may be harder for your baby to breathe comfortably while eating.
Raise the head of your baby's mattress by a few inches to ease congestion and postnasal drip. (Put a crib wedge or a towel under the end of the mattress.) Your baby may sleep better in a car seat in a semi-upright position, and this is probably okay for a few hours during the day. But experts generally recommend against letting your baby sleep in a car seat, bouncy seat, or swing because these products aren't intended for sleep and may not be safe.
Don't give your baby over-the-counter cold remedies. Doctors don't recommend them for children under 6 years of age because they haven't been shown to help and they can have serious side effects. Since colds are caused by viruses, antibiotics won't help. Your baby's body should fight off the infection on its own. If your baby's cold is accompanied by a fever, your doctor may recommend that you give your baby acetaminophen.
When should I call the doctor?
Play it safe and call the doctor if your baby has any of these symptoms:
• For babies older than 3 months, a fever of 101 degrees Fahrenheit (38.3 degrees Celsius) or higher, taken rectally. For babies younger than 3 months, a fever of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius).
• Any fever that lasts more than two days
• A worsening cough, rapid breathing (more than 60 breaths a minute), wheezing, or gasping
• Goopy or tearing eyes, which may be a sign of pinkeye
• Pulling or rubbing his or her ear, crying when sucking during a feeding, or crying uncharacteristically when being put to bed, all of which suggest an ear infection.
• Extreme fussiness, unusual sleepiness, or a significant change in feeding or sleeping habits.
Also call if your baby seems sicker after five to seven days or has symptoms that last for more than two weeks.