My 5Mo. Old with a Cold for a Week.....

At my doctors office they have a chart with common running times of certain symptoms. Ifants/ toddlers can have a runny nose up to 10 days normally. When my 16 month old seems to get a runny nose it lasts for a few weeks.

My son was sick like that for an entire month with a little improvement each day. Everyday i would stand in the shower with him to steam him out, then i would sit in the bathroom with him while my husband took a shower so that he could have longer to steam. It may sound odd but if you happen to be breastfeeding you can put a few drops of fresh breastmilk in his nose to clear things out, i did it on accident the first time but it worked so i did it a few more times and he cleared right up. Breast milk also works wonders on eye infections.

i would just keep doing what your are doing. it is hard to see them not feel good, but colds seem to last forever. my son and i were both sick a lot last winter. his colds would hang on for 1-2 weeks and then we would be better for a week or so then be sick again. im hoping this winter isnt going to be as bad. hang in there he will get better and will probably have a lot of colds the first winter. i think i went thru 2-3 things of baby vicks last winter. we ran the humidifier everynite and always keep his crib mattress proped up. hope your little guy feels better soon!

A cold is a virus and there are not antibiotics that will help a virus. If he starts tugging at his ears, has a fever and/or quits eating then I would call the doctor. If he has a bacterial infection, they will be able to give him something (usually there would be a fever).