How do I know if its working? Mothers please help!?

Question

My 8 month old has a cold. Sneezing, runny, stuffy nose etc. Since cold medicine worked wonders for his first cold, I was angered when I went to the pharmacy and learned that they werent selling infants cold medicine anymore. By it being flu season I did not want the cold to get worse so I took him to the doc. The doc told me to get saline nose drops for him. I immediately thought how is this going to help with a cold. The doc told me that it will help with all the symptoms and eventually the cold will go away. I used the drops according to how the doc said but his nose is still running. Is his nose suppose to keep running? I have to keep wiping and suctioning out his nose. After a day, I called the doc about my concern and once again she told me that they work, but that I can bring him back in again to be looked at. Does this stuff really work? Any experiences or advice? Thanks

Answer 1

All the saline solution is doing is loosening up his snot. His doctor probably recommended this because he didn't want it settling into his lungs. The cold should go away within a couple of days. If your little man's demeanor has changed and you can just tell that he doesn't feel good, then you can give him some baby Tylenol to help ease the pain. But besides that there's not really much you can do. They have proved that baby cold medicines aren't safe enough for them. Good Luck and I hope your little one feels better soon!!!!

Answer 2

Why on earth would you be angry that pharmacies aren't selling cold medicines any more when they are known to be dangerous for infants?

Saline drops help with the symptoms of the cold -- not the cold itself -- just the same as "cold medicines". Nothing gets rid of the cold except time. The saline will help to rid the nose of mucus, and yes, it runs, and yes, you do have to suction it sometimes. What I also found that helps with congestion is an oil called *Olbas*; just a few drops on the baby's sheets (by their head) or on the shoulders of their pajamas will ease congestion. You have a good doctor, by the way, because she didn't suggest baby Tylenol or an antibiotic -- that wouldn't help anyway -- just to make you feel better.

Answer 3

There is no "cure" for a cold, it is a virus. Colds just have to run their course. Meds just mask the symptoms but the cold virus is still active. They have taken infant cold meds off the market because it has shown to cause more harm than good. It is recommended that children under 6 should not use cold remedies. (scary because I have used them for my babies.) As said above, saline drops are supposed to get the nose to run so it is easier to get the mucous out with a bulb syringe. The cold will go away in a week or so. If it lingers longer than 2 weeks, I would see your doc again. Maybe there is more going on than the common cold.

Answer 4

Yeah, they are no longer selling cold medicine to children under the age of 2 or so because studies have found that it doesn't actually work that great and can harm children so young. The saline nose drops will help him some; however, it seems like there could be something else given to him besides just that. If you are worried, take him to a doctor for a second opinion; however, it's normal for his nose to be running still. Remember, there is no cure for the common cold; however, the medicines we take help relieve the symptoms of the cold. Just continue giving him the saline solution because it helps break up the mucus so his nose will not be congested.

Answer 5

A runny nose is much better than a congested nose. The idea is to keep the baby uncongested so the saline drops do just that without medicating. Cold medicines hide the symptoms they don't "cure" a cold.

Answer 6

I use the saline drops more or less for when my daughters nose gets crusty and stuffy inside. There really isnt anything you can do but let the cold run its course. All that cold medicines really do is relieve symptoms. If your baby is feverish, alternate tylenol and motrin to get the fever down. If you have already been to the doctor I wouldnt go back. If she already said it was just a cold then trust her. Taking him back to the office could expose your baby to more serious illnesses. I know its frustrating seeing your baby not feel well, but just remember it is actually making his immune system stronger. I hope he gets better soon!

Answer 7

I also have an 8 month old with a cold. The runny nose can last FOREVER. It will lessen, but it might sick around and make his nose not so pretty to look at for awhile. The saline works for me pretty well.

Answer 8

Basically it keeps the nose from stopping up, and with draining it keeps his sinuses open. I think the BIG BUSINESS wanted more money....so they convinced the powers at be that for all these years the Childrens cold remedys didn't work....HOGWASH.....parents that used it RIGHT...found it did work...without incurring a cost to the Doctors office, then for prescription. AND anyway once you have the strain of cold/flu it builds up your antibodies against that strain anyhow...There are over 200 strains of Flu/cold viruses........easing the symptoms doesn't cure the virus which by the way is just what the remedys did....EASE the SYMPTOMS. I think they still sell VICKS....VAPO RUB use that on his chest....and back and keep a shirt on him dont let him get a chill. This helps for the chest congestion too.

Answer 9

Yes they work but everyone is different too. Give him the drop after you stuctioned out his nose so there isn't too much blocking it from really getting in there. You want it to be runny and not all congested. Keep a humidifier around even taking him into the bathroom with the shower running with hot water helps to but he just kinda has to ride it out. As a mother i know it's scary more for us than them. good luck

Answer 10

Nose drops ar for thinning the mucus. So it will not make the cold go away. Colds tend to go away on their own,. They can't be treated with antibiotics. My suggestion would be to use a bulb syringe to clean out the nose, run a humidifier to help soothe the nasal passages, keep your child hydrated with lots of fluids, and offer tylenol for any discomfort.