3 week old baby with cold?

Question

my 3 week old son has a cold.we brought him to his doc and was told he was too young to take any kind of med ,that the only thing we could use on him were saline drops for his nose so it would help clear it up,which it has but he has a build up of muces in his throat which is effecting his breathing...is there anyway of helping his get rid of it ?

Answer 1

I found a useful trick with my babies was to put some eucalyptus oil or Vicks (do you have that where you are?) on a tissue and put that under the sheet of their beds, where the vapours would help to clear their stuffy noses without being too strong. I also raised the top of their cot slightly, by putting a pillow under the mattress. Actually that's a good trick for wind, as well.

If you have any worries at all, you should see your doctor again and don't leave until you are taken seriously. As his parents you know him better than anyone else. Generally speaking, as long as he is continuing to drink he will probably be OK, but I do sympathise - it's hard to watch when a baby is stuffed up.

Good luck!

Answer 2

I would first get a humidifier and put it in the room where he sleeps and run it around the clock. Make sure you keep the water filled. You can also take the thing you suck the snot out of his nose and remove the mucous from his mouth. Don't go too far back in the throat though. Babies cannot get that out the way we do. It will clear in time. There are some cold meds a baby can take, that is why they make them.

Warning: If he does not get better or is breathing becomes even more difficult go to the hospital. You can watch his chest. If his chest "sucks" in and creates a "dip" then he is having difficulty breathing and he needs to go to the ER now. Also, this is RSV season. A cold can easily turn dangerous to a young child. Watch him closely.

Answer 3

Hi there, congrats on your new addition!! He's lovely!! Anyhow, this is a perfect question for me. I am a Mommy of 3, my youngest being 3 1/2 months old. At 3 weeks old she also caught a cold. I had her at the doctors 4 times because of it. It was recommended to use saline drops (1/4 teaspoon salt, 1 cup boiled water - be sure to let the water cool before inserting in his nose) nose aspirator, cool mist humidifier at night, elevate the head of his bed, or better yet, let him sleep in a car seat, sit with him in the bathroom with the hot shower running for 20 minutes, as often as you can throughout the day. Please make sure you pay attention to his cough though, he should have a mucusy sounding cough due to post nasal drip. If it starts to sound any different to you, especially tight, if you hear any wheeze, or if he runs a fever I suggest you take him to the ER. I just had my daughter there yesterday (she kept this cold THAT long) because she woke up and sounded "different" and her cold lasted that long she got a secondary infection (bronchiolitis) that required antibiotics. Take care and good luck!! Oh, BTW, the best treatment for your little guy is lots and lots of Mommy's tender lovin' care!!

Answer 4

Use the suction buld-they usually send one home with you from the hospital.Put the saline in first and then suction out as much mucous as you can.Also a cool mist vaporizer can really help clear his airways.We always use it when my son has a cold and have been doing so since he was tiny.By the way-your baby is so adorable!I am due in February with my 2nd and cannot wait when I look at pictures of other newborns.

Answer 5

It is true no meds, saline only. A humidifier can help, but if it's already affecting his breathing I'd take him quickly to see a different doc or to the hospital (is he gasping?, does his stomach go in more than usual when taking a breath?)
Congrats on your baby btw!

Answer 6

i was in your situation but i believe my son was about 4 weeks old and still very young..our doctor would not give medication either..he told us to use the drops and the suction thing you get from the hospital one for the nose and drops and one for the throat and mucous..we also used a humidifier..after about 1 1/2 weeks he got better..the bad coughs are very scary and nerve wracking for a mother and/or father..good luck and i hope your little one gets better..just keep up on the suction thing and his nose to try to keep it out of his chest...they also have wedges now that you can put in their crib that elevates their head a little to help drainage.again good luck

Answer 7

Your DOCTOR is right.A baby that young can't have any meds until at least 2 months of age then they can have Tylenol. (and only Tyenol) Babies aren't supposed to have any meds until 6 months of age. Unless given by a doctor which is rare. Do a humidifier and prop your baby up. They can even sleep in a car seat to help prop them up. Good luck

Answer 8

Take him to a different pediatrician!!! Vicks!!! Do not rub it on a 3 week old, but you can simmer it and kind of get the vapors in the air. They do have tylenol infant drops with cold also. And Pedialite in a bottle instead of formula.

Answer 9

My son has a slight cold when he was 2months old. The doctor did gave him some medicine. I believe it's a not so strong type.

I also rub slightly vicks on his chest and nose (not recomend to babies) but I tried and it works. DO NOT PUT TOO MUCH IF YOU DARE TO TRY...

Answer 10

i know that if you use a humidifier it works great. also if you plug one side of the babies nose while you suction out the other side it really helps. you can also check the store for a baby medicine called litte colds check the age i think you might be able to use it...good luck i know its hard.