Show The combination of a baby and cold or flu season could make for some long nights and crabby days in your home. Whether your baby is bringing home bugs from daycare or family gatherings or suffering from a tough diaper rash, there are a few things you can do to keep little ones more comfortable. Pediatrician Laura Hirl, MD, UnityPoint Health, explains five ways to soothe a sick baby and three things you might want to skip. How to Soothe a Sick BabyYou might feel helpless when your baby comes down with an illness. But, here are a few ways to help him/her feel more comfortable while battling bugs.
Sick Baby Hacks to SkipWhile the list goes on and on, Dr. Hirl would recommend you skip a few common suggestions.
Illness vs. Teething“Sometimes, it’s difficult to tell if children are teething or have an illness,” Dr. Hirl says. Unfortunately, viral illnesses are very common and often overlap with teething.” Teething symptoms include:
Illness can include some of the same symptoms as teething but also include a few others, including:
If fever or fussiness persists for a few days and you are concerned about the possibilities of an underlying illness, then see your doctor for a complete exam. What to Expect as a New Parent“Illnesses will happen, it’s a part of life,” Dr. Hirl says. Babies are exposed to many infections during their first cold and flu season, and it’s not uncommon for them to see upward of 10 bugs in that season. Their bodies are seeing these viruses for the first time, so it may take longer for an infant to recover compared to an older child or adult. “Infants put things in their mouths, drool and therefore, illness can be spread easily from infant to infant. It’s not uncommon to feel as if your child spends more days each month with a runny nose than without a runny nose,” Dr. Hirl says. An infant often has more exposure to viral infections when in a large group of similar children, like in daycare settings. Babies who don’t attend daycare may seem to get more viral infections in the first year of school. “Any time your body sees a bug for the first time, your immune response isn’t established, and how quickly you heal from the virus will be slower than in the future when you are exposed to the virus once again,” Dr. Hirl says. Other Topics from Our Experts:Categories: Kids Healthcomments powered by Can I give my 7 month old medicine for a cold?You'll naturally want to calm your baby's symptoms. But don't give over-the-counter cough and cold medicines to infants and toddlers. These products don't work well in kids under 6 years, and they can cause dangerous side effects in young children. The FDA advises against using them at all in children younger than 4.
What can I give my 7 month old for congestion?Safe Treatments
One of the safest and most effective ways to help clear a baby's congestion is with a saline (salt water) spray or nose drops. These products are available without a prescription. If you use drops, place two drops in each nostril to loosen the mucus inside.
Can you give a 7 month old anything for a cough?Age 6 months to 1 year: Give warm clear fluids to treat the cough. Examples are apple juice and lemonade. Amount: Use a dose of 1-2 teaspoons (5-10 mL). Give 4 times per day when coughing.
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