When Your Newborn Has a Cold!
Author: Stef Daniel
Cold and flu season is upon us, and all those parents having winter babies are perhaps apprehensive about even taking their little bundle of joy home. After all, there are germs everywhere. Any type of illness in the first two months is frightening, even if it is the common cold. Keep in mind that infant care is much different than it is at any other time in your baby's life. You have to be prepared for anything and learn quickly.
Step one is a stocked and prepared infant medicine cabinet. This interestingly doesn't contain any medicine. Some infant nasal drops, a powerful nasal syringe, and a vaporizer are about the only things you can do to help them. While you may be fearful inserting nasal spray, be aware that infants often forget to breath and do not know how to regulate mouth and nose breathing. Keeping their airways open is crucial. If you follow the instructions, there is little you can do to hurt them. The bulb syringe is the best invention since the wheel when it comes to a cold, and a hospital or doctor issued one is the only way to go! This can help to keep the mucous from dripping into their throat, chest, and lungs where it can quickly turn into pneumonia.
Run a vaporizer and resist keeping their room too warm. If they have a fever, especially in the first few weeks, they need to be brought to the ER or doctor's office to ascertain the source and make sure it isn't an infection of any kind. As alarming as it may be, don't feel panicked if they insert a catheter or take blood. Often, this is a routine course of action when a newborn has a fever. Once you are confirmed with a cold or virus, dress them loosely in a onesie, and use light covers to keep them warm. It's a good practice to keep their hat on until at least the 6-week mark. Beyond that, there isn't anything you can give them. Even though the local drug store may sell infant cold medicine, it is not for infants under 6 months! Never take a chance and give it to your baby because it can actually complicate things. Normally, the only thing a doctor will allow you to give your infant is infant Tylenol. But you have to ensure proper dosage.
Germs are everywhere. Lots of winter babies spend the first two months indoors. If you have older children, unfortunately it will be more difficult to keep germs away. Hand washing is essential. Never allow anyone, not even Grandma, to touch your newborn without washing with antibacterial soap and HOT water! If this offends someone, so be it! You have to keep your baby safe.
The good news that you might now know is that breast fed infants have a much higher immunity than formula fed. In fact, colostrum is full of antibodies and antibacterial properties that can help your newborn to have a strong immune system. For this reason, it isn't extremely common that your child would be sick in the first few weeks of life. After that, they can catch anything that you can!
Once you feel comfortable treating your newborn for cold symptoms, you might want to pull the crib into your room for a while. This way you can listen to them and make sure that they are propped up slightly to allow their sinus drainage to not suffocate them. Many moms may feel comfortable with a baby monitor, but most prefer to have the crib in the room with them.
The first cold is always the worst. After you get a few under your belt, you will be as adept as the nurses in the hospital at taking care of your infant. Never be afraid to ask for help, and have your pediatrician show you the proper way to do something should the need arise.
