Baby's First Cold

Updated on November 12, 2006
K.C. asks from Franklin, TN
16 answers

My 5 and a half month old just got her first cold. The poor thing is all stuffed up. It gets worse at night, and she can hardly sleep.
I'm running a humidifier in her room, and using saline drops and a bulb syringe. I used some vapor bath and that helped get her to sleep, but then she woke up coughing and sniffling. Her temp is ok- under 100.
Just wondered if there were any tricks to help relieve her symptoms, and to avoid an ear infection. I appreciate all suggestions.

1 mom found this helpful

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So What Happened?

I let her sleep sitting up last night and that helped till about 4, when she wanted to stretch out. She seems to be improving, thanks so much.

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C.S.

answers from Columbus on

Try using the Sudacare plug in's. They are great for stuffy noses. You can find them everywhere (Walmart, grocery stores, drug stores etc) usually where the Vicks Vapor Rub is. Its great for baby since you don't want to put Vicks on their sensitive skin. My kids are 3 and 5 and we've been usuing these for about 2 years know. My husband and I even use them when we have colds.

Also, don't use the saline/syring too often. Basically it'll trigger her little nose to just make more so only use it if she is upset by not breathing through her nose (if you use paci's this is a huge issue lol).

Hope this helps....good luck

C.

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M.C.

answers from Chattanooga on

I always put my daughter is a bouncy chair when she had a cold. It allowed her to sit up more and not be SO stuffy.

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L.P.

answers from Chattanooga on

If you want mainstream solutions, I would say try Triaminic Cold and Allergy. If that doesn't work, as your ped. for a sample of a rx antihistimine, like Poly-Hist. That stuff has worked wonders with my son! Also, my ped. told me to give my son yogurt. The active cultures are supposed to be really helpful.

If you want naturopathic solutions, try Colloidal Silver. Check out this article:
http://www.all-natural.com/silver-1.html

A friend of mine introduced me to this stuff and gave me some from LifeSolution.com to try. She gives it to her son and takes it herself every day. I have started giving my son 1ml a day. (He has been prone to congestion and ear infections since he was born, he is now 10 months.) I also take it now and give it to my daughter.

Anyway, hope you find the right solution for you! Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful
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A.

answers from Knoxville on

Hi K.,

Try letting her sleep sitting up. That is the best advice I can give you.

A..

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J.M.

answers from Atlanta on

Try a vapor plug in - they work AWESOME!!! My 11 mth old just got over being really sick and I used one of those in his room. It made me want to sleep in there!!! The humidifier will also help but try these and see what you think. They also make Vick's Vapor Rub for babies you can put on their chest.

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A.K.

answers from Atlanta on

My son is 5 months old and has had a cold since like tues as well as myself. Its been hard. I went to the pediatrician and he gave me samples of dimatap & triaminic cold to try and said give 1/2 teaspoon every 4 hours. That has helped a bunch. I would try that to help with the congestion before bedtime. I used baby nasal drops which didn't seem to do so much, if anything, and a bulb syringe. He has been sleeping ok, just more fussy than normal. And not eating as much as he normally does. I have been putting him to nap in his swing during the day to stay elevated. This is my first child & cold for him as well. Good luck with whatever you try.

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M.F.

answers from Memphis on

I have done all of these. My daughter would ONLY sleep in her carseat when she was sick. But it is a constant vigil when they are that little and sick like that. The saline and bulb, followed by putting vapor rub on their chest. Maybe a tiny tiny dot of it under their nose...

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V.W.

answers from Nashville on

My ped. gave me a mild decongestant and cough suppresant called ed-a-hist. She said I could give it to her every 6 hours. Sometimes if she seems to be getting stuffed up in the evenings I'll just give her some at bed-time. This really help dry out her nasal cavities and sinuses. I hope she feels better soon.

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M.I.

answers from Memphis on

The humidifier and bulb syringe are best to relieve her symptoms. My pediatrician suggests using triaminic for infants to relieve congestion. The best thing that has worked for my daughter at night besides the carseat is her swing. I just put the swing beside my bed and let it go until she falls asleep then slowly slow it down so as not to startle her. This usually keeps her from waking in misery from a stuffy nose when she is sick. Good luck!

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R.B.

answers from Atlanta on

When this happened to our little girl we had her sleep in her infant carrier because this elevated her and prevented the drainage to her ears...

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K.

answers from Memphis on

Tylenol now makes an infant tylenol with cold formula. It is pretty much the same as the regular just with a few ingredients to help with stuffy nose etc. Johnson and johnson also makes a body wash with menthol for babies with colds. You can also try the babies vaporub. Try massaging her chest with the vaporub, just make sure to get the infant one. Hope this helps some.
Ps.. you can also put blankets under head of mattress to elevate which can ease breathing at night. One step ahead actually sells a bolster you can put under mattress, but not necessary when this works just as well.
K. York mother of 9 mos old baby girl

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P.S.

answers from Macon on

Hi there! I hope your daughter feels better soon. My pedi told me to give my daughter Tylenol cold and cough. My sister and sister in-law both recommended Vick's Baby Rub. I cant stand the smell so I let my daughter lay in her Johnsons vapor bath for at least 15 mins... GOOD LUCK!!

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C.

answers from Nashville on

Try putting a small pillow under the head of her mattress. This will allow her nose to drain without keeping her from breathing properly. This generally helps. If not, having her sleep in her carseat may also help. Having a sick baby is not easy, but it will get better.

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S.A.

answers from Savannah on

I know the first cold is always a tough one because you are trying to figure out what to do. It sounds to me that you are doing every right well at least the same things I do. The only other thing I do when my son is sick is raise his mattress by placing a couple of rolled towels or blankets under it. This helps with the drainage you have when you are sick. Good luck.

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S.J.

answers from Knoxville on

My 4 month old just got over a cold. I took him into the Dr. because he was coughing alot and having trouble sleeping. They gave me a mild decongestant and after giving it to him about 3 times he was sooooooo much better. That is what i would do if i were you.
Good luck Hope she feels better

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B.

answers from Augusta on

if her nose isnt running clear you need to take her in to the Dr. even if its not you can call in and talk to the nurse adviser and get her recomendations on what to give her. also johnson and johnson and Vicks both make vapor rub for babies. They both really work the Vicks a little better than the johnson and johnson BUT the vicks is a little greasier.

hth.

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