Baby cold

COLDS AND OTHER ILLNESSES Babies can get colds just like the rest of us. A cold is caused by a virus and usually results in mild symptoms in your baby (stuffy or runny nose, mild fever, mild cough). Another common illness in infants is RSV (respiratory syncytial virus). RSV usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms—but sometimes it can be more serious. Look to the guidelines to the right to help you know when to call the doctor or get emergency care. For mild colds, there is usually no special treatment. However, if the nose becomes too runny or stuffy, it may make it hard for a young baby to nurse or drink from a bottle. Since a baby can’t blow her nose, you may have to clear out mucus by suctioning with a bulb syringe (see below). Also talk to your doctor about using warm water or saline nose drops to loosen up dried mucus before suctioning. Don’t give your baby any medications without checking first with your doctor. The best thing you can do for colds and other illnesses is prevent them.
Follow these guidelines:
■ Wash your hands. Wash your hands with soap and warm water before touching your baby, and ask others to do the same.
■ Stay home. Keep your baby at home as much as possible. Especially avoid taking your baby to crowded locations, such as shopping malls, restaurants, and church.
■ Keep sick people away. Keep people who have colds away from your baby, including brothers and sisters. Parents or other caregivers who feel ill should wear a mask and refrain from kissing the baby. ■ Don’t smoke. Don’t smoke—or allow others to smoke—near your baby. Exposure to tobacco smoke can increase the severity of viruses and infections.