A baby's cold symptoms are just the same as the discomforts that an older person experiences, but the lack of effective communication from a non-verbal child can make the situation frustrating. The FDA has discouraged the use of over-the-counter cold and cough medications in children under 2 years old because of the possibility of harmful side effects, according to MayoClinic.com. Parents should check with their pediatrician before giving their baby a fever reducer, as many medications are not recommended for infants younger than 6 months old.
Encourage Regular Feedings
Regular feedings from the breast or a bottle can be an effective remedy to prevent dehydration, which can accompany a fever or diarrhea, and can thin mucus that accumulates in the nose and throat. HealthyChildren, a website affiliated with the American Academy of Pediatrics, explains that breastfeeding, especially during a cold, can be beneficial to your baby's immune system, giving him antibodies that can help him fight off the virus. Offer an older baby--one who no longer nurses or drinks baby formula--water or an oral rehydration solution to make sure he is properly hydrated.
Introduce Moisture to the Air
Adding moisture to the air in your home, especially in your baby's room, can relieve some of her cold symptoms by making her coughs more productive. A cool-mist humidifier replicates the cold night air, which can benefit a young child with croup or a dry, barking cough that can be a sign of a common cold. A warm-mist humidifier or simply running the shower in an enclosed bathroom allows steam to get into your child's lungs and can break up chest congestion. Keep the humidifier a safe distance from your child's crib to prevent accidents that can lead to burns and other injuries.
Ease Breathing
Several home remedies ease the breathing of a baby who suffers from nasal congestion. Removing thick or dried mucus from the nose manually with a bulb syringe eliminates easy-to-see obstructions in the airways. Non-medicated saline drops thin mucus and may reduce inflammation of the nasal membranes. Some pediatricians advise parents to let a baby sleep in their car seat in a semi-upright position to promote easier breathing; ask your doctor if he recommends this practice.
Calm Your Baby
A bath might help your infant calm down if she is cranky and uncomfortable while suffering from a cold. Lukewarm water and a lavender-scented baby wash is a soothing combination that may lull your sick baby to sleep, which is what she needs most. Rest is one of the important points that KidsHealth stresses when discussing cold treatments. Sleep is the body's way of healing, whether you are a baby, a senior citizen or somewhere in between.
