The common cold is indeed so common, but when it strikes a beloved toddler, we want to do everything possible to make things as comfortable as can be for the little one. After all, the sniffles and stuffed noses can mean that the baby will usually not be able to sleep soundly, as it is extremely uncomfortable.
Doctors typically agree that there is no way to get rid of colds until the symptoms run their course, as it is usually a viral infection, which means that all you need to do is relieve the discomfort as much as possible. Of course, there are things to look for in order to figure out whether the colds require additional doctor’s attention or you can make do with home remedies and wait for it to go away. These simple tips should help you deal with the cold in your little one.
1. The usual way that pediatricians advice parents to tell if the infection is viral or bacterial is to watch the child’s temperature. If he has a low grade fever, as long as it does not stay for longer than three days, home remedies should be fine. But if your baby develops a high fever, or if the fever stays longer than three days, your doctor will generally ask you to bring the baby in for a checkup. He will typically screen through other factors, and if he determines that the cold is bacterial, he will typically prescribe antibiotics. If he finds out that it is viral, he will likely recommend antihistamines and advice you to make sure your baby has a high intake of fluids.
2. Another tell-tale sign that doctors tell you to watch for is the color of the mucous. If it is white and clear, it is viral, and therefore needs no added medication. If it’s green or yellow-colored, it usually means there’s a bacterial infection, and as such antibiotics will normally help to get rid of the bacteria.
3. While the cold is running through its course, it is best to try to keep your toddler well-rested. Of course, this is a real challenge for active tots, but you can try to divert his attention from physically strenuous activities to perhaps quieter activities like coloring or playing with blocks.
4. Also, make sure he gets plenty of sleep. While this is difficult to do when he gets a stuffy nose, you can make use of saline solutions to soften the dried up mucous. You can usually buy these solutions at the local drugstore, in a bottle with a spray-on cap so you can spray it into your baby’s nostrils. When the mucous is loosened, you can use a nasal aspirator to pump the mucous out. If your baby is older, he may refuse to have his nose pumped, but perhaps you can start to teach him how to blow his nose. Along with that, make sure that he is well-dressed for sleep, such as warm enough during cold nights or cool enough for typically warmer nights. If he tends to kick off his blanket, dress him in good comfortable pajamas.
5. If you do give him a bath, make sure the water is not too cold, as when your baby has a cold, he tends to be more sensitive to cold water. If you can heat the water, it would be best. Alternatively, you can rub some baby oil on his body before he takes his bath, as the oil is known for sealing in warmth.
6. Be prepared for some degree of crankiness, as an uncomfortable baby can be more irritable than usual. As such, it would be best if you also get enough rest yourself to give you the strength and patience in dealing with the baby’s mood swings.
These basic tips should give you some help in dealing with a cranky baby with the colds. As you help alleviate the symptoms, he will also feel better and the lesser stress will help in speeding up his recovery, while also giving you greater time to rest as he rests more soundly throughout this period.
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