The common cold is an infection caused by a virus that attacks your baby's respiratory system. Babies are especially susceptible to the common cold, in part because they're often around other older children who don't always wash their hands. If your baby is under two months of age, any signs and symptoms of a cold should be reported to your pediatrician. Symptoms of a cold usually begin two or three days after infection and last two to 14 days.
Congestion or Runny Nose
According to the Mayo Clinic, nasal discharge may be clear at first but then usually becomes thicker and turns shades of yellow or green. You may notice that your baby is having trouble breathing through his nose when suffering from nasal congestion. You may also notice nasal discharge dripping from both nares that begins to irritate the sensitive skin on and underneath the nose. The use of a nasal bulb syringe or saline drops may be helpful in clearing out your baby's nasal passages. Some ointment can be used to prevent irritation of the nose and upper lip. The use of humidified air and positioning him to sleep in an upright position may also help your child sleep more comfortably.
Low-Grade Fever and Irritability
Your child may feel warm to the touch and seem more upset or uncomfortable than usual. If you suspect fever, take your baby's temperature. If she has a fever of 100.4 F (38 C) or higher and seems uncomfortable, you can give her acetaminophen in doses appropriate to her age, states the Mayo Clinic. Acetaminophen may also help relieve your child's irritability. Be sure to maintain your child's feeding schedule during illness, since fever may lead to dehydration rather quickly in a small child. If your baby's fever is not relieved by medication or she is refusing to eat, contact your pediatrician immediately.
Sneezing and Coughing
These symptoms occur during a cold because the cold virus affects the mucous membranes of the nose and throat. With a cold, your baby's cough should sound like a "dry cough," which is not coming from the chest area. If the cough begins to sound "wet," with a deep sound coming from the chest, contact your pediatrician immediately as he may be suffering from a bronchial infection and not the common cold. The use of humidified air or sitting in a steamy bathroom as a warm shower runs may be helpful in relieving your baby's cough.
