What to Do for a Cold?

Updated on January 26, 2009
S.N. asks from Auburn, WA
6 answers

Hi moms, I need your help again. My 8 month has caught a cold from his grandpa who was visiting this past weekend from Arkansas. He started coughing on Wed, and then had a runny nose on Thursday but for the most part seemed ok, he was sleeping and eating fine. I bought a warm air vaporizor and used it last night since he wasn't getting any better. His cough sounds awful and he's congested. Last night, he woke up at 3am and I breastfed him but after I fed him he spit up everywhere but finally went back to sleep around 5am and slept til 9am. He took a 2hr nap today but seemed out of it. He does not have a fever but I just hate to see him like this. Is there anything I should be doing for him? How long do colds last? He got the flu shot in Nov and the second shot about 2 weeks ago. At what point do I call the doc? This is his first cold so any advice would be greatly appreciated!

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D.M.

answers from Los Angeles on

My son's Pediatrician told me that 3 days of being sick wiht or without a fever means call the doctor...so, if it's been that long please take your son to see his Pedi right away.

Also, the cool air humidifiers are more widely used during colds...I don't know why eithery. Saline drops and bulb syringe for nose. Baby vapo rub. Pedicare gentel vapors nightlight plug-in.

These are all great ways to keep your kiddo comfy. Just make sure if it lasts longer than 3 days you give the Pedi a call.

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B.N.

answers from Los Angeles on

I would call a doctor since it has been a few days. I found that the best way to get rid of head congestion is saline drops. My son hated it however it works well.

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M.C.

answers from Los Angeles on

I remember what it was like when all my babies had their first cold. It's so miserable and they can't breast feed and that drives everyone crazy. But please know that as long as there's no fever, that's a great indication that they're fine. It's all that goo that makes them so miserable. Remember, as long as they are coughing up stuff and the nose is running - that's GOOD. It's when they're sick and they're all stuffed up with nothing coming out that you've got to worry! Use a non-medication trick I loved - saline nose drops. It'll help him be able to nurse by lubricating his nose so he can breathe better, and it's so simple. Yes, the humidifier is essential when they're little and throughout their early years. You'll be surprised how quickly they are over it so hang in there and just hold him and be patient with the crankiness. It's tough to be little.

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T.R.

answers from San Diego on

I agree with the saline drops and nose bulb comment as well as the humidifier. Also, it's also a good idea to call the pedi and get their advise. Lastly, when my son was sick like this at 9 months old, I went to Henry's and consulted their vitamin dept. They have some great wellness drops for babies. It won't help the symptoms, but it might give your little one the extra boost of vitamins to help him get over that cold quickly.

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T.L.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hi S.,

I totally agree with the saline drops! That will help alot. Also, check with your ped on Cool Air humidifier vs. Warm air. For the life of me, I cannot tell you the difference, only that my ped recommends the cool air one, which I run every night during the cool months - even when my daughter isn't sick - the heater drys out air in the house and the humidifer helps keep her little nasal passages moist so she doesn't get congetsted. Best of luck with the first cold, it too shall pass! :)

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J.B.

answers from Los Angeles on

use a nasal asperator and saline drops through out the day to keep his nose clear. the only difference i can think of with the humidafires are that a cool mist humidafire will calm any inflataion in the babies air ways where a warm mist one could aggrivate it. other then that they are bassically the same. to help keep him comfortable in bed while hes congested try putting a pillow or a thick blanket under the mattress in his crib to elivate his head. with a cold you should take your baby to the dr after 5 days they should be showing emprovement by then and be totally fine by 7 days. as for him spitting up his food its prbably from the flem in his throat. my daughter got a cold at your sons age unfortualny her cough never went away. it took us 2 long months to get rid of it. it was litterally every other week we were in her drs office becaus she wasnt getting better. she was on rondex dm and that worked for a while then nothing. her lungs had always sounded clear but she was diagnosed with asthma. the weather and illness brought it up so her cold lingered. i would make an appt with his dr and then if he hasnt gotten better 3-5 days after his appt make another one because it could be something more. my daughter has to have breathing treatments every night and when shes sick she has to get them 4 times a day. its a lot of work but so worth it to keep her healthy. good luck!

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