When an infant suffers from his first cold, it can be distressing for parents. The reality is that colds in infants are very common. A 2008 article in "Clinics of Infectious Disease" found that the median number of colds in childhood is five per year, but up to 10 percent of children experience 10 or more per year. The average duration of cold symptoms is eight days regardless of age, but symptoms can last beyond two weeks, according to a 2003 article in "European Journal of Pediatrics." Learning the symptoms of a cold in an infant can help ease the worry when that first case of sniffles occurs.
Nasal Congestion
Infants become very "stuffy" with even the mildest cold. The width of their nostrils is so tiny that the least bit of swelling causes them to be very congested-sounding. Just like adults, the congestion that occurs in babies with colds tends to get worse before it gets better. It tends to improve with the use of a humidifier and can make for some very restless nights of sleep.
Runny Nose
This symptom can be tricky because, although some infants with colds will have obvious amounts of drainage from their nose, other babies have less obvious post-nasal drainage. They end up swallowing a good bit of this drainage and sometimes have gagging or choking episodes as a result of it. The color of the drainage is not a reliable indicator of a more sinister problem. In other words, the runny nose can be clear or colored. Either way, it can be a symptom of a cold.
Cough
When that post-nasal drainage becomes irritating enough, it will trigger infants to cough. Babies aren't able to clear their throats and don't understand yet how to blow their noses. This means that the drainage can build up in the back of their throat, causing them to cough. The cough tends to be worse at nighttime, when they are trying to lie flat, and improves throughout the day while they are awake.
Fever
Although most adults don't experience a fever with a common cold, fever is not an unusual symptom for infants with colds. Babies' immune systems are very sensitive, and something as minor as a cold can trigger a fever. A fever due to a cold typically doesn't last more than five days, so if it does, it's important to have a physician evaluate your baby for any other causes of the fever.
Fussiness
Imagine not understanding how to blow your nose, clear your throat or even sit up or reposition yourself on your own. On top of that, over-the-counter cold medicines can't be given to infants to relieve their symptoms, resulting in fussy babies. Most of us probably underestimate how miserable a cold can be for an infant.
Decreased Eating
The reality is that most babies have a decent appetite when they have a cold, but it can appear that they are not as interested in eating. The nasal congestion, post-nasal drainage and constant cough can make it very difficult for them to take a bottle or breastfeed. Oftentimes, infants do better during a cold if they eat smaller amounts more frequently than usual.
References
- "Clinics of Infectious Diseases"; Viral upper respiratory tract infection and otitis media complication in young children; T. Chonmaitree, et.al.; 2008
- "European Journal of Pediatrics"; The effect of hydrotherapy on the incidence of common cold episodes in children: a randomised clinical trial; C. Gruber, et.al.; 2003
