Colds are unpleasant but common during the first year.
All infants at some point suffer from the common cold. It’s not a pleasant experience but neither is it a cause for alarm. Babies’ immune systems are still developing and they are likely to catch colds several times within the first year. Sleep and regular fluid intake are essentially the only treatments.
When your baby has a cold, they will continue to breathe through their nose, even though it has become blocked and difficult to inhale through. This will cause discomfort, especially when breastfeeding. Your baby will not know how to blow their nose so it is up to you to assist them in clearing their nasal passages. Saline solution is useful for this and makes for easier, more comfortable sleeps.
It is important to know the difference between the symptoms of colds and flu, which differ greatly in severity. A cold is characterised by a runny nose, sneezing, coughing and a sore throat, while the flu involves similar symptoms but additionally fever and aches affecting the whole body. Flu symptoms also tend to strike more quickly.
If your baby displays the symptoms of flu then similar measures should be taken. It is also important to seek advice from a GP. Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics, but as with colds, rest is the most important part of recovery. Remember, too, that catching a cold or flu is natural and will assist with the development of your baby’s immune system.
Article supplied by My Child magazine.
