During cold and flu season, it’s important for parents to be equipped with the knowledge and tools to help their child feel better when they get sick. The following tips can help inform parents on how to best help their child recover.
What are the most essential items parents should keep stocked at home for sick babies during cold and flu season?
Babies tend to have small nasal passages, so when they have a cold, they often have a hard time breathing. Suctioning their nose with a nasal aspirator (either manual or electric) or a bulb syringe can help.
Before suctioning, use salt water (saline) nose spray or drops in each nasal passage to loosen up mucus if it appears to be thicker or is hard to remove with your bulb syringe or nasal aspirator. The best time to try to suction would be right before feeding, which may help clear the nasal passages and make feeding easier. Suctioning right before they fall asleep is also another good option.
Parents can also use a wet cotton swab or wet wipes to wipe away thicker, stickier mucus around the nose.
Depending on the climate you live in, having a cool-mist humidifier in your child’s room can also help prevent their mucus from drying up inside the nose. It’s important to ensure that you keep your humidifier clean to prevent mold and bacteria buildup.
Keeping plenty of hand soap stocked in the house can also help encourage family members or guests to wash their hands before they interact with your baby. If soap is not readily available, hand sanitizer can also be a good substitute.
Infant thermometers should also be kept on hand during cold and flu season to measure the baby’s temperature if they are sick or feel warm to the touch.
Lastly, over-the-counter (OTC) medication such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen in liquid form should be kept on hand. Always check with your child’s doctor on the dosing guidelines. Ibuprofen should only be given to babies older than 6 months.
How can parents tell the difference between a typical cold versus an illness that warrants a call to their pediatrician or a trip to urgent care?
A typical cold in a baby will usually cause nasal congestion and a possible cough; however, they should continue to feed well, breathe normally and make wet diapers.
If your baby is experiencing any of the following symptoms, they should be seen by a pediatrician:
- Not feeding well
- Vomiting
- Having diarrhea
- Having fewer wet diapers than normal
- They are breathing faster than normal
- They are more fussy than usual
- Fever greater than 100.4°F
These symptoms can indicate dehydration, worsening respiratory disease or complications from the cold. If your pediatrician’s office is not open, you should take them to the closest urgent care.
If your baby is having difficulty breathing to the point of turning blue or having pauses in breathing, please call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
Are there any common baby products that parents often misuse or aren’t necessary to keep on hand?
- While nasal aspirators and bulb syringes can be helpful when your baby has a cold, parents should use caution and try to limit nasal suctioning. The inside of the nose can be sensitive, so excess suctioning can cause inflammation of the nasal passage and lead to bleeding.
- Do not use honey to treat coughs in babies younger than 1 year old, as it can cause a severe illness called infant botulism. Honey can contain botulism spores that develop into the deadly C. botulinum bacteria. Infants have underdeveloped gastrointestinal systems that cannot protect against this toxin, so it’s important to never feed babies honey or products that contain honey.
- Over-the-counter cold and cough medicines are generally not recommended in children under the age of 4.
- Oxygen monitors or apnea monitors are not recommended unless prescribed specifically by your child’s doctor for a specific medical reason.
- Sleep positioners are not recommended even when your baby has nasal congestion. Lay your baby on a firm, flat sleep surface without loose blankets, pillows or other soft items.
- Vaporizers are generally not recommended to use since the boiled water releases hot steam and can cause burns if the baby gets too close to the steam.
What are your best tips for keeping babies comfortable when they’re congested or running a fever?
Keeping your child hydrated is important to help them recover and feel better. Suctioning right before bedtime can also help clear the nasal passages to allow your baby to sleep more comfortably.
You can give your baby acetaminophen for a fever. If your child is younger than 12 weeks of age and has a temperature greater than 100.4°F, you should notify your doctor for further guidance. Ibuprofen can also be given to a baby older than 6 months. Discuss with your child’s doctor the appropriate dosing and frequency of either medication.