It can be upsetting when your baby has a cold. To make matters worse, many over-the-counter medications can have harmful side effects in babies--limiting your treatment options. Unfortunately, colds are common in babies. In fact, according to the Baby Center website, most babies will develop eight to 10 colds during the first two years of life. Although no medication can be used to make the virus go away quicker, there are remedies you can use at home to ease baby's symptoms and prevent the cold from getting worse.
Elevation
Elevation can help remedy a cold, according to Baby Center. Create an incline by elevating the mattress with a few towels beneath the top of the mattress and position baby so his head is elevated above his feet. This can help baby breathe easier and may relieve any postnasal drip symptoms. Do not worry about elevating the mattress too much. Baby may end up scooting to the opposite end of the crib in his sleep, completely defeating the purpose. However, use caution when elevating. Using a pillow to prop up baby can result in suffocation. In addition, placing objects under the legs of the crib can make the bed unstable. If mattress elevation does not work, consider putting baby to bed in his carrier or swing.
Moist Air
According to the Mayo Clinic, moisturized air can help improve cold symptoms, like a baby's nasal congestion and runny nose. Place a humidifier in your baby's nursery, aiming the spray away from baby's crib to keep her bed from getting wet. Because humidifiers can harbor and spread bacteria, make sure it is cleaned often according to the manufacturer's instructions. If you do not own a humidifier, steam up a bathroom with hot water instead. Just sit with baby in the warm bathroom for a few minutes before bed.
Herbs
Baby Center suggests adding a couple drops of eucalyptus, pine oil or menthol to a baby's bath to ease chest congestion. You can even add the herbs to a vaporizer so that they spread throughout baby's room all night. For baby's 6 months and older, try putting lukewarm chamomile tea in her bottle. It can have soothing effects. Although some herbs can be beneficial to baby, the Chinese Ma Huang herb, also called ephedrine or ephedra, can be extremely harmful. Always talk to a pediatrician before giving your baby any type of herb or medication.
