The common cold is a viral infection that can happen to anyone. It infects the respiratory tract and usually causes nasal congestion and a runny nose. Babies are prone to the common cold because their immune system is not yet fully well-developed to react against infection. If you have a baby you must be on guard to protect your baby against any illness most especially the common cold.

The best way to prevent your baby from having the common cold is thru prevention. Make sure you keep your baby healthy by giving the proper nutrients by breastfeeding, supplemental vitamins and keeping the baby away from people who are already infected with the common cold.

Make sure that you are aware of the ways on how your baby may get infected with the common cold. Be aware that the cold virus may be spread thru air, direct contact, exposure to others and contaminated surfaces. The change in weather especially during cold months is another factor for the spread of the cold virus. Maintain a clean environment always. Wash or disinfect the baby’s toys, clothes, beddings and pillows. Make sure to wash your hands before holding your baby and impose the same procedure to all of your relatives to keep the baby from the virus. Try to keep people who have colds away from your baby.

If your baby has the common cold watch out for symptoms such as a low fever usually about 37 C, a runny nose, sneezing, nasal congestion, irritability, loss of appetite and difficulty in sleeping. If the baby is younger than three months consult the doctor immediately for proper medical care. Be sure to note down how long your baby has the cold because this may result to pneumonia, dehydration and other complications. Make sure to take your baby to the doctor if you are unsure of what to do.

You must try to help the baby deal with the common cold. Try to give the baby more fluids like water or juice and even breast milk to prevent dehydration. Some herbal decongestant may be helpful to treat the cold and make use of anti-cold herbs like ginger, holy basil and black pepper. Make use of Mint by placing it in hot water and use it as steam to decongest nasal passages of your baby. Make sleeping more comfortable for your baby by elevating one side of the crib mattress. Ask your doctor to give you prescriptions of Baby Tylenol to help ease the uncomfortable feelings that go along with the cold infection. You can use Saline drops or spray to ease the mucus on your baby’s nose. If possible have a humidifier in your baby’s room to keep moisture in the air and help her breathe easily.

There is no cure for the common cold. There are only medications to deal with it and preventive measures to follow as well. It might as well be said that the common cold has detrimental effects to your baby so it is always a wise decision on your part to do all you can to prevent this problem to happen to your baby.

Jonathan Pitts

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