Ways to Overcome Colds in Infants

Ways to Overcome Colds in Infants: The immune system is not perfect, making babies susceptible to various diseases, including colds. There are around 200 types of viruses that can cause colds in infants. How to deal with colds in babies correctly?

Ways to Overcome Colds in Infants

Colds in babies are characterized by the discharge of snot or clear fluid from the nose, which can turn yellowish or greenish after one week. It may be accompanied by coughing or a slight fever. Generally babies still want to eat or play normally.

Actions that can be done at home

The discharge of snot during a cold, is actually a way to get rid of germs in the body. However, if there are too many snot coming out of the nose, it can interfere with the baby's breathing.

Here are some ways to relieve the symptoms of a cold in a baby that parents can do at home:

• Place the baby in a room without air conditioning to reduce congestion. If the baby is more comfortable in an AC room, use an air humidifier or use hot water. You can add essential oils like menthol.
• If the cold in the baby is very disturbing, dilute the mucus with salt water which is dripped onto the tip of the baby's nostrils. Then, use a baby snot to clean the nose.
• Gently pat the baby's back to help alleviate the blocked stuffing. Lay the baby on his stomach on his knees or let the baby sit on his lap by leaning forward.
• To avoid irritation, you can apply petroleum jelly on the outside of the nostrils.
• Clean nasal fluid or mucus that hardens on the baby's nose. Use cotton wool moistened with warm water.
• You can provide warm tea for babies over the age of 6 months. This can help relieve nasal congestion.

Don't Greetings

Colds that do not interfere with the baby's diet or baby activities, do not require special measures or baby cold medication. Avoid using over-the-counter drugs in children under the age of 6 because of possible dangerous side effects. It is better if the medicines given are always under the supervision of a doctor.

If the baby has a fever, then consult a doctor about the possibility of giving paracetamol or ibuprofen. Never give aspirin to babies because it can risk causing dangerous side effects.

Conditions to watch out for

Although a cold is one of the common diseases experienced by babies, but there are several conditions that make parents need to be vigilant and immediately consult with a doctor, including:

• Colds that are accompanied by cough and fever are more than 39 degrees Celsius in children under 3 months, or fever reaches more than 40 degrees Celsius in children over 3 months.
• Fever lasts more than two days.
• Watery eyes or eye feces.
• Coughing gets worse or accompanied by rapid breathing, wheezing sounds when the baby breathes.
• Significant changes in diet or sleep, often drowsy or fussy.
• Babies cry when they suckle while rubbing or pulling their ears, and crying when they are put on the bed.
• Colds don't improve after 7-10 days

Infants with imperfect immune systems are at risk of experiencing various diseases. Therefore, colds in infants accompanied by severe symptoms must be watched out. Consult a doctor for appropriate and safe handling of the baby.