4 Month Old with a Cold? - Cleveland,OH

just a quick fyi (i worked for a dr for 5 yrs) you cannot get sick from change in weather or the air conditioner or anything of that sort. getting sick is from being exposed to a virus or sometimes bacteria.
but i suggest saline nose drops, a humidifier, and lots of love. i read online that normally the first year of a babies life they get 4-6 colds.
i know how frustrating it is. my son is actually getting over strep throat right now, weird b/c i'm a SAHM and we haven't gone anywhere besides the grocery store:(

Encyclopedia of Natural Health & Healing for Children by Weber

and NATURALLY HEALTHY BABIES & CHILDREN by Romm

My little one had the same thing - I think it is this wacky weather! My ped said that they don't ever recommend a decongestant for babies anymore. She recommended saline nose spray (they make a great mist just for infants) You spray it up there and then use the booger sucker they give you in the hospital (I'm sure thats not its technical name:) And just suck out as much as possible. She did warn though that if the suction doesn't get anything out stop- too much sucking can irritate the nasal lining and actually make things worse. In the winter she always recommends a cool mist humidifier too- I don't know if thats appropriate in warmer weather or not- I use mine with the vicks vapor liquid and that always helps too. I hope he feels better soon!

Hello J.,

I would try to stay away from medicine and make sure he gets a multi-vitamin and lots of vitamin-C. They have those emergen-C packets that have several different flavors that you could add to juice or water. Just help his little immune system out by giving him some vitamins and minerals. If you need some other suggestions, I used to work in a health food store and we mainly focused on all natural homeopathic alternatives, especially when it comes to the common cold, cough and such. hope this helps and let me know how he does.

Are you sure it is a cold and not an allergy to something? I would check with a doctor before treating him with anything so you aren't treating him for the wrong problem.
If you really must try something I would suggest a little bit of Vicks rubbed on the bottom of his feet before you put him to bed at night. Make sure his feet are covered. If that doesn't help in a few days you will know it isn't a cold.

Unfortunately he is too young for medicine. The docs say it does more harm than good when they're so young. My son had his first cold when he was about 4 months old. All you can do is maybe give him some baby Tylenol to help with any aches and suck his nose like crazy!!! They ususally get over them pretty quickly.
Good luck.

Call your pedi, it has been proven medicine doesn't help for colds. I only use a fever/pain reducer when and if it's needed.

Prop the side of his crib (that he lays his head on) up with large books (this will help with the drainage). Also, suction the nose out periodically. Don't medicate without talking to the doctor. Unfortunately, that is about all you can do at that age ... it stinks watching them get sick!!!

GOOD LUCK!

My ped always told me lots of suction for the snot, Tylenol if there's a fever, a humidifier at night, and just wait it out. No meds were ever recommended. I know it's hard to see your little one suffer like that, especially being a first time mom. You just want to take their misery away, but they'll be fine. Easier said than done though....

as a rule you cannot catch a cold unless you've been exposed to the germ. If you took him shopping and touched a shopping cart and then touched him he could have caught it that way. Shopping carts are one of the easiest ways to spread germs. Always carry sanitizer.