My 5 month old is coming down with a cold. Is there anything I can do so it won't be a bad one?

Question

My babe started coughing a little yesterday. I thought she might have just "figured out" how to do it and was practicing. Last night and this morning she's congested but not so bad that she can't nurse but I can hear it when she breathes through her nose.

Since I am breastfeeding, is there anything I can eat to help fend off this cold?

On my bottle of echinia (sp?) it says not to tkae if pregnant or breastfeeding. That's what I wouldnormally take in this situtaion

Answer 1

My pediatrician is AGAINST any type of meds for a baby this young unless she has a fever and then just use ibubrofen or tylenol. She is coughing for a reason and if you suppress it then it could get caught in her chest and she can get really sick. Someone mentioned the shower, that is a GREAT idea. I would get in there with her and make is as hot as she can stand it. It will clear her out, try to make it right before bedtime and she will sleep much better. And resting is always great to ward off the sickness.
As for you I swear by citrus. OJ, oranges, grapefruit. Anything you can get your hands on that has vitamin C will help tremendously.
Good Luck, I hope your little one is better soon.

Answer 2

I'm in the same boat. I use salene nose drops for her congestion. Then I use a bulb syringe to get the mucus out. It helps for a while. I still have to ask my doctor if I can use Tylenol Infant drops plus cold for her. It has a decongestant & a cough suppresant. I still have to find out if it is safe since it is multi-symptom medicine. The nurses told me to get the shower running on hot and let the bathroom get steamy & that would help with the congestion. Sit in there with baby for 20 minutes. They also said a humidifier would help. Also at night try elevating her head while she is sleeping & that would help her breath better at night.

Answer 3

Hey there mama!! I have no kids, but have been caring for children all my life. I raised 2 of my nieces, and remember how awful it was when they got sick, and not be able to take it all away. I hope this advice can at least direct you for an answer. Do you watch Oprah? She had a woman on the other day, Thurs or Fri that has discovered the ways to communicate what a baby is telling you, you may wanna go to her website. For the sniffles like the rest of us to get sick we have touched some germ. Most get sick from dish water not hot enough that it doesn't kill....well you get the picture, then again I have no kids to comment how they get sick. Good luck

Answer 4

I'd put some saline nose drops down her little nostrils and use an aspirator to suck out the fluid, atleast once a day, if not twice.

The drops keep the sinuses from harboring bactieria, since it flushes out the nasal passages. It shortens the length of the cold.

Answer 5

You can give supportive treatment so as to help the body improve its own immune system. Lots of rest is encourage so make sure shes comfortable(check if shes wet, change diapers, etc). take note of her body temperature if shes getting hot, go see a doctor.

Answer 6

They have infant robitussin you can give him that is what I give my daughters. But in the end if you aren't sure of what to do call the pediatrician they will be able to give you some different cough medicines.

Answer 7

I DONT KNOW ABOUT EATING ANYTHING BUT THERE IS NOSE DROPS FOR BABIES THAT IS CALLED LITTLE NOSES. MY SON IS 5 MONTHS AND I USED IT ON HIM AND IT WORKED. THATS WHAT MY DR. TOLD ME TO USE FOR HIS NOSE. THEN WHENEVER HE WAS GETTING SICK I WAS TOLD BY MY DR. TO USE DIMETAPP .4 ONLY ONE TIME A DAY AND THAT WAS AT NIGHT BUT .4 DIMETAPP TODDLER. BUT ONLY .4 AND MY SON IS FINE BUT ASK YOUR DR. FIRST. GOOD LUCK..

Answer 8

for right now u are all right i mean you doing what u suppose to do