Caring for Your Baby’s Cough

At one time or another, your baby is going to come down with a cough. But your baby’s cough can mean different things. For example, a cough can be a symptom of a virus or it could occasionally indicate something more serious. Either way, when your baby starts coughing, it can make any new parent a little nervous. Understanding the causes and knowing how to deal with a cough can help you and your baby feel a bit more comfortable.

Causes of Coughs in Babies

The most common causes of a cough in babies are respiratory infections, such as a cold, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and croup. Most babies will become infected with at least one of the above viruses by the time they are two years old.

Symptoms of all three illnesses are similar, but there are subtle differences. For instance, if your baby has RSV, his cough may be worse than a cough from a cold. Babies with croup tend to have a deep, barking cough that worsens at night.

When is Coughing Serious?

In many cases, coughing is not that serious. But there can be instances where coughing is a sign of something more worrisome. For example, coughing can occur if something is caught in your baby’s throat. If your baby starts coughing suddenly while eating, it may be due to a piece of food getting stuck. Try not to panic. If your baby is coughing, it means he is still moving air in and out and will usually be able to cough out the food.

Whooping cough, which occurs due to a bacterial infection, can also lead to severe coughing. Babies who develop whooping cough may have loud, rapid coughing that does not appear to be accompanied by cold symptoms. Whooping cough can be life-threatening in babies and requires immediate treatment. Fortunately, there is a vaccine to prevent whooping cough.

Of course, if your baby is coughing and having trouble breathing, always call for immediate medical help. There may also be other instances when a trip to your pediatrician is a good idea. For example, if your baby is less than three months old and has a cough, it’s best to get her checked out. Also, if your little one is older than three months but is wheezing, has a cough that lasts longer than a few days or coughs up yellow or green mucus, you should also see your doctor.

When it comes to treating your baby’s cough, it’s also best to talk to your doctor first. Don’t give any medications without getting your doctor’s approval. Cough medicine is usually not recommended for babies under two. In most cases, your baby’s cough will clear up without any specific treatment. In the meantime, a little extra cuddling and snuggle time may be just what the doctor ordered.

Written by MaryAnn DePietro @writerlady34

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.

Getting Through Baby’s First Cold/Flu Season

If your baby does not feel well and has a cold or the flu, you probably can’t rest easy. Tiny noses that are all stuffed up can make both of you feel miserable. But it’s helpful to know when to take your little one to the doctor and how to ease symptoms at home.

As soon as your baby starts showing signs of a cold, you might wonder if you need to go to the doctor. If your baby is younger than three months, a trip to the pediatrician is needed as soon as symptoms start.

For babies older than three months, some signs to see your baby’s doctor include a cold that does not improve in five days. Also, if your baby’s mucus is green or yellow or he is pulling at his ear, it’s also a good idea to visit the doctor.

If your baby is older than three months and continues to be active, is feeding well and does not seem to be bothered by symptoms, you may not need to run to the doctor. Of course, regardless of your baby’s age if you have concerns or questions, a trip to the doctor will not hurt.

Cold and Flu Symptoms

Symptoms of a cold may include loss of appetite, a runny or stuffy nose and red eyes. Some babies also develop a cough, fever and become irritable. Since your baby’s nose may be stuffed, breastfeeding may be more difficult.

Although cold and flu are terms which are sometimes used interchangeably, they are not the same thing. A cold is a viral infection that affects the upper respiratory tract (nose, mouth and throat). The flu is also a viral infection, but symptoms may come on faster and may be more severe than a cold.

Either way, you want to do what you can to make your baby feel better. One thing that may help is easing your baby’s nasal congestion. Since babies can’t blow their nose, you’ll have to help remove the mucus. Consider using saline drops and a bulb suction to clear mucus. Put a few drops of saline in each nostril and suction the mucus with the bulb syringe. Saline baby drops are available at most pharmacies.

Placing a cool mist vaporizer in your baby’s room may also help loosen congestion. Just be sure to clean the machine regularly to prevent mold growth. Also, encourage extra feedings to prevent your baby from becoming dehydrated.

Don’t give your baby any medication without first talking to your pediatrician. Over the counter cold meds are not recommended for babies under six months.

Written by MaryAnn DePietro @ writerlady34

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.

5 Stuffy Nose Remedies Every Mama Needs to Know

Oh, parenting, such a glamorous job. When you’re not scraping baby poop out from under your fingernails or trying to work out how obvious the baby sick on your denim jacket is, you’re desperately trying to get the snot out of your baby’s nose. By your baby’s first birthday, you’ll be an expert in all things related to bodily fluid.

It sucks when your baby has a cold. You will probably find that your baby can’t sleep well thanks to that bunged up nose, which means you won’t be sleeping well either. If you’re breastfeeding, you’ll end up with snot-covered nipples. Your baby will have a permanent face caterpillar of snot edging down towards his mouth and will probably be pretty grumpy. Do not fear, however, here are some stuffy nose remedies to help you through the next few days:

  1. Steam it away

Steam is great for clearing the airways and helping your baby to breathe a little easier. If your baby is suffering from a blocked nose, try spending a little extra time in the bathroom. Run the shower so that the room fills with steam and sit with your baby in the bathroom for a few minutes. This is a great one to try just before bed and will hopefully guarantee you a little extra sleep thanks to those cleared airways.

  1. Use a sling

Staying upright can reduce the risk of a blocked nose. This can prove tricky for young babies who spend a lot of time lying down. Try using a sling or baby-carrier with your baby to keep her upright throughout the day. Not only will this help with her nose, it will also help you if your baby is clingy when under the weather. You’ll be able to soothe, kiss and hold your baby whilst still having your hands free to do other things.

  1. Saline nasal drops

Saline nasal drops for babies can be picked up at the pharmacist and may help to clear your baby’s blocked nose. The gentle solution simply thins the mucus and clears the blocked nose. You’ll then be able to use a damp cotton wool ball to gently remove any snot around your baby’s nose.

  1. Remove the snot

There are all kinds of weird and wonderful products on the baby market. A few of these even claim to be good at getting rid of snot. You could give one of these a try if your baby is struggling to breathe through her nose. Ask in your local pharmacist to see what products they have to offer. One of the most common designs is the bulb syringe.  If your baby is struggling to feed properly because of a stuffy nose, it’s worth trying to clear the snot before each feed.

  1. Raise the mattress

You may have noticed yourself that raising your head at night can help you get a better night’s sleep when you’re suffering from a cold. This works for babies too. Pillows are not advised for babies because of the increased risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Instead, you can use a folded towel under your baby’s mattress to gently raise one end of the mattress. This will allow your baby to breathe easier at night. Only raise the mattress slightly, to avoid your baby sliding to the bottom or sides of the cot.

What tricks and tips do you use when your baby is suffering from a stuffy nose?

Written by Fiona (@Fiona_Peacock), mother, writer and lover of all things baby related.

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.