Nothing is sadder for a parent to see her a baby or toddler with a cold. Babies' new immune systems haven't been exposed to many germs and viruses, so it can be easy for them to catch a cold or other illness. Since babies can't talk, they can't tell their parents what is wrong, which makes it hard to treat the child.
In 2008, the FDA released a statement saying children under 2 years of age should not be given over the counter (OTC) cough or cold medicines. The medicines aren't effective, and haven't been tested enough to be declared safe. Parents of babies and toddlers under 2 must find alternate ways to help their children feel better and make it through their illness.
Nasal Congestion
Babies often get stuffy noses when sick with a cold. Not only can't they take any decongestant, but they can't blow their noses. Stuffy noses can cause problems with sleeping, and with eating, since babies aren't used to breathing through their mouths. There are many non-medication options to help congested babies.
- Bulb syringes can be used to gently suction a baby's nose. This shouldn't be done too often, as it can irritate the sensitive skin in the nose.
- Humidifiers can be great to have and run in the baby's bedroom. Moist air helps soften the mucus in the nose, and is good to breathe into the lungs. Some homes might have whole-house humidifiers attached to the furnace, but single-room humidifiers can help when someone is sick. For extreme congestion, running a hot shower and holding baby upright in the steamy room can help. The hot, moist air can help baby feel temporarily better.
- Saline drops are also useful to soften mucus. Extremely hard mucus can be softened with saline before being suctioned. Make sure any dropper used is gentle on little noses.
Humidifiers can also help babies who cough, since the moist air helps soothe the throat and lungs. Another way to help a cough is to keep the child well hydrated with cool liquids.
Pain and Fever
If a baby is in pain or has a fever, it may be okay to give it certain pain medications, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Never give a child acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) or the ASPIRIN® brand, and always make sure any drugs given are labeled "infants' concentrate" and not "children's" since the children's doses are different. Always consult the child's doctor before doing so.
Fevers are not necessarily bad, as they help the body fight off infection. However, they can cause discomfort, and when high enough can cause other problems. Again, consult the child's doctor before using any medications, as they might have guidelines as to what temperatures to use fever reducers, and what temperatures warrant an office visit.
Prevention of Colds
Prevention is best when it comes to children getting sick. Older children can make use of hand sanitizer and frequent hand washing, as well as coughing and sneezing into tissues, but babies can't do any of these. Care should be taken to avoid sick people, including family members. When out shopping, make sure strangers don't try to touch the baby. Parents should also keep themselves healthy since parents are the ones in closest contact with their children.
For more information about colds in children, please visit the American Academy of Family Physicians' website, FamilyDoctor.org.
Allison Russo - Allison Russo holds a B.S. in Psychology with a minor in Computer Science from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Most recently she ...
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