Baby Cold Symptoms and How to Treat Them

Remember how miserable you felt when you last had a cold? Can you imagine what your baby must feel when he experiences a cold for the first time?

Viruses are responsible for causing colds. Infected people spread the viruses when they sneeze or cough nearby healthy people. The virus gets into the nose and throat where it multiplies.

What Are The Symptoms?

When your baby has a cold, there will be a number of symptoms. He will be sneezing and have a runny nose. He may have a sore throat and it may be difficult for him to swallow. His glands may become swollen.

He may not feel like eating much and he could become irritable. A cough may develop. He may get a slight fever or have a body temperature of 101 to 102 degrees Fahrenheit.

When to Seek Medical Advice

If your baby is three months old or less and has cold like symptoms, you should contact a pediatrician immediately. Cold like symptoms in a baby three months old or less are misleading and could lead to a serious ailment.

On the other hand, if your child is more than three months old you should contact a doctor if you notice that he is breathing loudly and his nostrils expand out with each breath. His nails or lips are becoming blue. His mucus is thick, runny and green. He has a cough that hasn't gone a way for more than a week. His ears ache. His temperature is more than 102 degrees Fahrenheit. He has become more drowsy or grouchy.

How to Care For Your Baby

Medical experts tell us there is no cure for the common cold. However, there are ways to alleviate the miserable symptoms your baby undergoes.

Make sure he gets plenty of rest and extra fluids. If he has a fever, give him acetaminophen or if he's older that six months he may take ibuprofen (but don't give it to your baby if he is dehydrated or continuously vomiting).

If your child has a cough and is under three years old, don't give him a cough suppressing medicine unless it was prescribed by a pediatrician. Coughing rids the lower respiratory tract of mucus.

If your baby has nasal congestion, you can use a rubber suction bulb to draw out the mucus from his nostrils. If the mucus is too thick, you can apply saline nose drops to soften the mucus before extracting with the bulb. A humidifier can also be used in the baby's room to help liquefy the nasal secretions.

Concluding Thoughts

The best way for your baby to avoid a cold is to not have him near people who are infected. But if your baby gets a cold, the best thing you can do is make it comfortable for him. Soon his cold symptoms will disappear and he'll be back to health, that is, until the next episode. But by now you'll be ready for that, won't you?

To learn more about newborns and what you can expect during your baby's first year visit: http://www.firstyearbabyadvice.com

Leroy has built and maintained several web sites since 1997. He just became a dad and is looking forward to raising his newborn son.

In The News:


ABC News

Babies in 'Baby Borrowers' may suffer from separation
Indianapolis Star, United States - Jul 3, 2008
The program purports to teach teens how to be parents by having them take care of a baby or toddler for three days. Unfortunately, the program misses the ...
American Academy Of Child And Adolescent Psychiatry Calls NBC To ... Medical News Today (press release)
Psychiatrists Accuse Ben Silverman of Stealing Babies New York Magazine
all 12 news articles

Happy 60th to NHS: you saved my baby
Liverpool Echo, UK - Jul 5, 2008
If she had been back in 1948, toddler Naomi Mallett would not have survived. But today, as the NHS marks its anniversary, her parents Ellie and Graeme, ...

By: Becka Marsch, Parent Educator, Licensed Baby, Toddler, and ...
Carolina Newswire (press release), NC - Jun 10, 2008
... a baby's intellect, increase self-esteem and happiness, reduce fussiness and temper tantrums, improve problem-solving skills, and help toddlers get ...

Times Online

How to survive a holiday with friends and their children
Times Online, UK - Jul 4, 2008
Toddlers and babies, who communicate with whacks and hits, don't always holiday well together and their naps rarely coincide. “Over-fives are more flexible ...

Check out what's going on at West Pasco libraries
Tampabay.com, FL - Jul 5, 2008
Toddler storytime: 10 am Thursdays through Aug. 28. For children ages 1 to 2. Call to register. Preschool storytime: 10:45 am Thursdays through Aug. 28. ...
See what's happening at East Pasco libraries Tampabay.com
all 3 news articles

Babies, ugly dogs have day in Norman park
NewsOK.com (subscription), OK - Jul 3, 2008
By Tami Althoff Activities will begin at noon and include a baby crawl and toddler trot, free watermelon, vendor booths and other games, contests and ...

Getting Real
New York Times, United States - Jul 3, 2008
In the back of my closet, I have a box filled with baby and toddler clothes that I will never give away. I have our board book copies of “The Runaway Bunny” ...

Boston Globe

A Case Of Stolen Formula
Washington Post, United States - Jun 25, 2008
By the time the fifth episode rolls around, the babies and toddlers and preteens have been replaced by -- sheesh -- teenagers, and whatever credibility the ...
Reality merges with boring on new TV show 'The Baby Borrowers' Dallas Morning News
Putting teens in the parenting playpen Minneapolis Star Tribune
How Low Will TV Go? RedOrbit
Wall Street Journal Blogs - The Gazette (Montreal)all 135 news articles

CNN International

Surviving a flight with your baby or toddler
CNN International - Jun 19, 2008
By Debra Alban (CNN) -- Flying with a baby or toddler can have its fair share of turbulence. From finding a place to change diapers to keeping your child ...

Annapolis Capital

AAMC delivering multiple multiples
Annapolis Capital, MD - Jul 4, 2008
... had with her toddler son, Tadhg. She felt full and heavy, which was how she felt when she carried twins years before, but those babies didn't survive. ...
babies toddler - Google News

Baby Shower for Second Baby

Having a shower for second baby used to be considered... Read More

Baby Furniture Essentials for Your New Baby

Baby furniture can be made up of many different pieces... Read More

Backpacking With Children: My Own Adventures

When I had my firstborn I thought I new everything... Read More

Will Kids Eat Vegetables? Yes, They Will!

You have made the decision to grow your own vegetables.... Read More

Potty Training Dolls - Why Use a Potty Training Doll to Assist in Potty Training Your Child?

The idea of using potty dolls to potty train toddlers... Read More

How Toddlers Can Benefit From Using Computers

It's a fact of life that we live in an... Read More

Honor Grandma with a Baby Shower for Grandma

Throwing a baby shower for grandma could be a great... Read More

Baby Gift Guide

Having a baby is one of the most amazing things... Read More

13 Donts on Child Safety

For years, we have been taught that 13 is an... Read More

How to Buy Infants? Best Educational Toys?

Buying educational toys for infants can be difficult, because infants... Read More

Unique and Unusual Baby Names

Today one of the biggest trends in naming is choosing... Read More

What Happens When During the Baby Shower?

To be precise, anything can happen anytime as long as... Read More

Helping Your Baby Develop Character

How Can We Help Children Learn about Character?Children learn about... Read More

Read Together With Your Baby

Imagine sitting your baby in your lap and reading a... Read More

Baby Strollers Tips and Advice

You have just learned that you are expecting a bundle... Read More

Are You Spending Too Much Money on Baby Gear?

Did you waste $57 today? I hope not. Unfortunately, so... Read More

Baby Room Themes: Fun Ideas Your Baby Will Love

Decorating a nursery for your new baby can be a... Read More

Should I Call The Doctor If My Baby Has A Fever

Sooner or later, your new baby will develop a fever.... Read More

When To Start Teaching Your Baby (2)

With you or without you, your baby will be learning... Read More

How To Deal With Toddler Temper Tantrums

It's one of the few things your child can do... Read More

When Your Wee One Goes Wee Wee Well

After reading several books about potty training (my son was... Read More

Shared Dancing has Benefits for Babies and New Moms Alike

Every parent knows the calming effects on their baby of... Read More

Choosing Baby Names for Twins

Choosing a baby name for your new born can be... Read More

Your Baby Nursery - Decorating a Fabulous and Functional Room

Decorating a baby nursery can be one of the most... Read More

Baby Shower Gift for Dads

Gift for Dads: The mom is always on the limelight... Read More