Cold : When Your Baby Has a Cold

Babies are no strangers to sniffles and sneezes. They can catch as many as eight colds within their first year, especially if they’re in daycare or have siblings who bring home germs from school. While these colds are usually nothing serious, they can be challenging for parents and often lead to visits to the pediatrician. Knowing how to ease your child’s discomfort and when to seek medical advice can help you navigate through until the cold passes.

Causes of Cold

Babies are prone to catching colds because their immune systems are still developing and aren’t fully equipped to fight off the multitude of viruses, around 100 of them, that cause these infections. The cold virus spreads through the air when someone who’s sick coughs or sneezes, and it can also linger on surfaces like toys and tables. Since babies tend to touch everything and then put their hands in their mouths, they provide an easy entry route for the virus.

Daycare settings are common places for babies to pick up colds, as are interactions with older siblings who bring home germs from school or adults who may have been exposed to the virus elsewhere.

Symptoms of Cold

Within 1 to 3 days of being infected, babies typically start showing signs of a cold. Symptoms in young children may include:

• Stuffy or runny nose, initially clear but may become yellow or green
• Sneezing
• Coughing
• Irritability
• Fatigue
• Reduced appetite
• Difficulty sleeping
• Fever
• Vomiting or diarrhea

Most children start feeling better within 7 to 10 days.

Treatment

Colds usually resolve on their own without needing treatment. Antibiotics won’t help since they only kill bacteria, not viruses. While you’ll naturally want to alleviate your baby’s symptoms, avoid giving over-the-counter cough and cold medicines to infants and toddlers, as they’re ineffective and can pose risks of harmful side effects. Instead, focus on making your child more comfortable:

• Use acetaminophen (Children’s Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Children’s Motrin or Advil) to reduce fever and discomfort in babies over 6 months old. Be sure to follow the dosage instructions based on your child’s weight and age.
• Avoid giving any medicine containing aspirin to children, as it can lead to a rare but serious condition called Reye’s syndrome.

Home remedies to help your baby feel better include:

• Offering extra fluids like breast milk, Pedialyte, water, or 100% fruit juice to prevent dehydration and keep the mouth and nose moist.
• Using saline drops to loosen mucus in a stuffed nose, followed by suction with a bulb syringe.
• Running a cool-mist humidifier to add moisture to the air and prevent drying of the nasal passages.
• If your child has croup, consider exposing them to warm steam or cool air to ease coughing symptoms.

Prevention

While you can’t prevent every cold, especially during the winter months when viruses are rampant, you can take steps to lower your baby’s risk:

• Encourage sick individuals to stay away from your home.
• Avoid crowded places where germs are more likely to spread.
• Practice frequent handwashing and encourage others to do the same, especially before handling your baby.
• Clean your baby’s toys regularly with soap and water.
• Avoid sharing your baby’s utensils, cups, or towels with others.
• Teach older children to cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or their elbow.
• Keep your baby away from cigarette smoke, as it can increase the risk of illness.

When to Call the Doctor

While a cold typically doesn’t warrant a doctor’s visit for babies over 3 months old, it’s advisable to contact a healthcare provider if symptoms appear, particularly if your baby develops a fever. Certain symptoms could indicate a more serious condition, such as pneumonia or an ear infection. It’s better to err on the side of caution and seek medical advice if you’re unsure.

Call the doctor if you notice any of the following concerning symptoms:

• Fever of 102°F or higher
• Difficulty breathing
• Refusal to eat or drink
• Signs of dehydration, such as decreased tears or fewer wet diapers
• Unusual lethargy or sleepiness
• Lack of improvement after a week or worsening of symptoms.