A sick newborn is pretty pitiful, and it can be heartbreaking for new parents to see their tiny little bundle feeling miserable with a cold or the flu. But illnesses are common in newborns as their tiny immune systems are still new and unable to ward off most viruses and bacteria. In most cases, a baby's cold or flu clears up without treatment. Though parents may be tempted, cold and flu medications are not safe for babies as young as 1 month.
Cold and Flu Medications
Cold and flu medications are not approved or considered safe for use in children younger than 6, says BabyCenter. These medications simply aren't effective in children so young and may pose harmful side effects. It's also important for parents to understand that cold, cough and flu medications don't treat the illness or help your baby get well any sooner – they only help ease symptoms.
Pain Relievers
Parents may be tempted to give their uncomfortable newborn some infant acetaminophen or ibuprofen. But in a baby so young, it's never wise to administer any medication without first checking with your baby's pediatrician. Babies younger than 3 months shouldn't take infant acetaminophen unless the pediatrician specifically approves it – and then only when dosed appropriately and accurately.
Home Remedies
There are ways to ease a 1-month-old's discomfort caused by the flu or a cold without medications. BabyCenter recommends suctioning out a baby's stuffy nose with a bulb aspirator. You also can run a cool-mist vaporizer in your baby's room to make the air more humid and help keep nasal passages moist. You can elevate your baby's head slightly to help with drainage and congestion by letting the baby rest on a pillow or propping up her crib mattress. Remember that your baby should have frequent feedings of formula or breast milk and get plenty of rest to feel better.
Seeing the Doctor
When a 1-month-old baby gets sick, call your pediatrician. She's too little and vulnerable to take any chances with any illness. It's particularly important to notify the pediatrician if your child has a fever that's higher than 100.4 F or is coughing, says BabyCenter. Follow up with your pediatrician about breathing difficulties or a cough that gets worse, a fever that persists beyond two days, eye discharge, excessive fussiness or crying or signs of pain in the ear such as pulling at the ear. Call the pediatrician again if your baby isn't better after 14 days or doesn't start to improve after about seven days.
