Baby's First Cold

I've said to lots of moms that keeping the baby's nose free of thick snot using a blunt tip bulb syringe, keeping hydrated and infant dose of ibruprofen, ask a doc or pharmasist the dosage for baby's weight....
The babies do fuss with the snot removal but it really helps them sleep and relax.....

I would ring your husbands NECK!! What was he thinking and he better count his blessings nothing bad happened!!!! Men! I swear! You need to let him know straight up it isn't going to happen again and that babies can get hurt very badly, permanent brain damage. Sorry, he should feel badly. It is just ignorance and maybe suggest baby classes for him! Especially when he did it a second time! Suggest a safer spot, a play pen, get a bassinett for the living room or even lay her on the floor!!!
Just give her saline, lot's of fluids to keep her hydrated, vaporizer or humidifier. Find out if she is old enough for those Vick Vapor plug ins, they are amazing!!! Helps them breathe better and last all night.
Also try Baby Vick Vapor rub, there is Johnsons Vapor bath too that I think if for babies four mos and up.
Saline, suction, fluids, rest and maybe if she isn't a big mover prop her crib up where her head rests.
HUGS! My daughter had her first cold at six weeks and I was a wreck!!!!! Remember too if she is feeding less it is due to stuffiness, so try cleaning out her nose before you feed her.

It's simple, your hubby is just unaware of the develpment stages of babies and what is appropriate for each stage. Your little one isn't mobile yet so he thinks he can just put her down and she'll stay put. We know that's not true, they wiggle and squirm and move just by kicking their cute little legs. You need to tell him that if he wants to go outside he needs to make sure she is some place safe like a crib or play pen. I know you want to be sensitive to his feelings but how much worse would he feel if something more serious happened to your little girl.

First colds are hard! Probably harder on you, though than on your daughter. Lots of warm liquids are good. Frequent nursing if you're doing that. It really helps to clear up the mucus and for comfort. Also fresh air. Even if it's cold winter air, that is usually a lot better for colds than stuffy inside air, espcially when the heat is on.

Husbands are also hard! Sometimes they seem to do everything right and other times it's like, what were you thinking!? My husband did the couch for a while also and I finally laid down the law and said no more unless he's right there. A fall off the couch probably won't do any serious damage but why take the chance to make your baby sore and unhappy even if you don't have to? We always laid them on a blanket on the floor, or in a swing or bouncy seat or even let them play in their crib if they were happy with that. Anywhere they won't fall.

If I were you I would be angry that my husband wasn't prioritizing our child's safety. What is more important to protect- your husband's feelings or your daughter's safety? Every parent makes mistakes, but he has to be able to learn from them. Falling off the couch may not be the worst thing in the world (although it could be), but will you trust him when it comes to more serious things like not leaving her in the bathtub by herself? If you are going to parent effectively you need to be able to communicate honestly with your spouse.

You have been given some great advise on her little cold. The vapor rubs, humidifier, and saline are great things to use. If you are comfortable with the over the counter cold meds. Than just watch her very closely so you know if she is going to react to it. I wouldn't give it to her at night when you can't keep a close eye on her. It can build up in her system, so you don't know how it will react each time.

As for the hubby, getting angry and upset with him will only have him back out of helping out. Trust me, you don't want that. You must stay calm yourself, let him know that there are better places for her than the couch. If she is rolling, than put a blanket on the floor that is designated "baby zone". If you always put her there and if you see him put her some where else, just gently remind him to put her on the blanket. If the floor isn't an option, than a bouncer or play pen is a great idea. If she can hold her head up, you may consider one of those saucers that they sit in. They are like a walker with out the wheels.

My own husband has done a few dumb things also, but he isn't around all the time and with each baby, he gets better. The husbands need to feel included and loved. Give him a big hug and tell him thanks and you know he will do better next time. Yelling just gives resentment and frustration on both parts.

Good luck

Sorry for all the aggravation, don't have tons of advice for everything. But I did want to share my favorite thing for sick babies and colds. Sudafed makes a little thing called SudaCare that plugs into the wall and heats up and releases menthol vapors. It really helps to clear up the breathing so your baby can sleep easier with a cold. I think there are some other comparable products, but have only tried the one, it is great!

One thing I didn't see mentioned was a crib wedge. It's a little wedge you slip underneath the crib mattress to help elevate the babies head so she doesn't deal with as much post-nasal drip when she's sleeping. If she's still in a bassinet or cradle, you can put a small towel or blanket underneath the sheet (just remember UNDERNEATH the sheet so it's not a suffocation hazard). And saline drops are a must have to clear a stuffy nose. I know they don't recommend cold meds for infants, but I always found they worked for my kids, so you might ask your pediatrician what he/she recommends.

As for the falling off the couch, you have every right to be angry - especially that he left her on the couch again after she fell off. However, I would calmly explain, again, how serious it is that she be left in a safe place and that she can receive serious injuries from even such a short fall. I would give him some options on where to leave her if he needs to - strapped into a bouncer left on the floor, in a playpen or bassinet or in her crib.

I'll start with the cold, a vaporizer is always great no matter how big or small a cold is, if she is having a runny nose, stuffed up nose ect,....a little over the counter meds are fine just ask your Ped for exact dosage, Dimetap(SP) is best for that issue, coughs can be helped with the vaporizer, whithout more info it is hard to give more suggestions.

To your hubby, I must admit mine have fallen off the couch quite a few time in their little lives....poor things. I have 7 and number 7 would only let you sit him propped up on the couch, if your couch isn't to high, which mine isn't then she isn't really going to get to hurt just really P.O'd. Here is a trick a friend taught me with number 5, if your couch has cushions prop a pillow inbetween the outer portion of the cushions, this prevents the baby from rolling over and falling off, even when they are a little older and roll better, don't prop it to high just enough to give a little lift. Next, if you don't already have one go by a bouncy chair and have him place her in it, when he intends to leave the room, the vibrating ones are really good.

It seems that he is still a little nieve when it comes to babies, and this is probably his first, so he may not have all the skills down, so if you can find a way to redirect him with out making him feel bad he will probably be more willing, also lead by example, if you use the couch, he will, if you use a bouncy seat or swiing he will be more likely also. Good luck it will work out!

Hello C., I recommend breastfeeding her whenever she will. Mine used to get frustrated trying to nurse with a stuffy nose but we just stayed with it. Ultimately, your breastmilk and loving touch will give her the most support. Sleeping next to her could make this easier for you and she will love it, too. If you aren't already co-sleeping, you can find information on how to set this up safely (like it is done around the globe) in Elizabeth Pantley's "The No Cry Sleep Solution."

As far as your husband, it sounds like he has some unresolved emotions/beliefs that are getting in the way of him making safe decisions on behalf of your daughter. See if you can listen gently and see what is going on for him. It sounds like you have a lot going on in your family. Take it slow and easy; one minute at a time.

I encourage you to seek professional counseling to support your husband/daughter/family if he is interested. We can all use the help of others from time to time in our lives and the transition into fatherhood is a huge one!!! ~T.

Hi C.
my Emerson had her first cold when she 3 months. I gave her the Hylands Plus C cold homeopathic tablets, half the dosage as directed on the box and used the saline drops to keep her nose clear. We propped her up on a slant to sleep...she was fine in about 3 days. The worst part about the whole thing was to hear such a little one cough like she did, but as soon as I gave her the Hylands tablets the cough nearly disappeared - she was stuffy for a few days. And of course, lots and lots of hugs and cuddle time.

Take care,
M. Z

You've had a lot of great responses for dealing with baby's cold that don't include any actual medicine. I would strongly urge you to stay away from the oral medicines, if you have any. If you don't already have any, you may not be able to find any designated for baby on the store shelves. The FDA has been warning parents against giving children under 12 any oral cold or cough medicines because they aren't as effective as they could be and are potentially harmful even in small doses. If you CAN find any on the store shelves, that store should have already pulled them off. The Vicks plug ins or other vaporizer type remedies aren't affected. Just the stuff you give them by mouth. The fluids, humidifiers, vaporizers, baths,elevated sleeping, and TLC are probably your best bet. Good luck.

I don't know what to tell you about your husband. Mine has always been even more careful than me. As if he were afraid of "breaking" our babies. Sorry.