A baby’s first cold isn’t exactly a cheerful milestone, but it is inevitable. Since babies have not yet developed immunity to many common infections, they are likely to develop between six and eight colds during their first year of life. Factors like being around older children or being in a daycare center can cause your infant to suffer even more cold periods than that.
A typical infant’s cold is caused by a viral infection of the nose and throat. The main symptoms of a baby’s cold include nasal congestion and runny nose, which in turn can cause your little one to cry on end (colic) or exhibit excessive fussiness. While you should consult a doctor upon your infant’s first cold experience, there are plenty of newborn baby cold home remedies that you can use to address symptoms.
Read ahead for everything to know about a baby’s first cold, how to soothe a colic baby, and which baby cold medicine might be the best choice.
Baby's First Cold: What to Expect
The first thing to know is that the common cold is just that—common. Babies are very likely to develop several colds in their first year of life, and they are normally not serious.
A cold is a contagious upper respiratory infection that affects the nose, throat, sinuses and windpipe (trachea). There are over 200 types of viruses that can cause a cold, though rhinovirus is the most common. A virus can enter an infant’s system through the mouth, eyes, or nose, and begin to cause symptoms.
Rhinovirus in infants can be transmitted via:
Air: If an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks near your baby, the virus could spread to them.
Direct contact: If an infected person touches your baby, particularly on their hand, the baby could become infected when they put their hand near their eyes, nose, or mouth.
Contaminated surfaces: Some viruses live on surfaces—like toys, pacifiers, or a crib railing—for up to two or more hours. Your baby can become infected when they touch the surfaces and then touch their eyes, nose, or mouth.
Recognizing the Signs of a Cold in Your Baby
Early Signs of a Cold
So what are the earliest signs that your little one is catching a cold? The first signs of a common cold in infants include:
Congested or runny nose
Nasal discharge that may appear clear at first but might thicken and become yellow or green
Other common symptoms of a baby cold include:
Fever
Sneezing
Coughing
Decreased appetite
Irritibaility
Difficulty sleeping
Trouble nursing or taking a bottle due to nasal congestion
More Severe Cold Symptoms
More severe symptoms of a cold include:
Fever in an infant 2 months of age or younger
Difficulty breathing
Wheezing
Earache
Blue lips
A cough that lasts longer than 3 weeks
Vomiting or diarrhea
Such symptoms could mean that the infection is getting worse, so it is critical to be in touch with your child’s doctor when you first notice severe symptoms.
Comforting Your Baby with Home Remedies
If you’ve already spoken with your baby’s doctor, or if this is not your baby’s first cold, there are plenty of ways to help comfort your infant and address symptoms at home. Here are some home remedies for cold and cough for babies.
Hydration
Regardless of age, anyone dealing with a cold is at risk of dehydration. Be sure to provide your baby with plenty of fluids as they recover. For babies 6 months or younger, let them drink breast milk or formula. At 6 months, you can also provide your baby with water. Check out these tips to keep kids of all ages hydrated.
Rest
Our immune systems work best when we have had plenty of rest. Allow your baby to sleep as much as they need while suffering from a cold, and consider these tips for helping your sick little one sleep.
Humidifier
Using a cool mist humidifier can help an infant with a stuffy nose feel more comfortable. Just be sure to thoroughly clean and dry the humidifier to prevent contamination from mold or bacteria. Note that hot water vaporizers can cause burns, so they are not typically recommended.
Saline Nasal Spray
Thickening mucus is a common symptom of an infant cold, but use of a saline nasal spray, like Zarbee’s® Soothing Saline Nasal Mist with Aloe, can help loosen it up. If your baby is having trouble feeding as a result of nasal congestion, start be using a rubber suction bulb to clear mucus from the nose. If mucus is too thick to suction, use a saline spray or saline drops to loosen it for easier removal.
Honey
Honey is a great at-home remedy for sore throat or coughing. Whether mixed with tea or warm lemon water, or by itself, honey soothes the throat and reduces coughing. However, it is not appropriate for babies under 1 year of age.
Give Baby Lots of Snuggles
Managing your baby’s emotional health can go a long way towards boosting their physical health. After all, a child that feels comfortable and at ease will be able to rest more easily, which is key to fighting infection.
Physical affection, like snuggling and massage, can help boost your baby’s mood and make them feel comfortable and unstressed.
When to Call the Pediatrician
It’s essential to continue monitoring your baby’s symptoms as they progress through a cold. For children under 3 months of age, you should contact a doctor at the earliest signs of a cold, as newborn immune systems can have a tougher time fighting infection. Immediately contact a health care provider if you notice the following severe symptoms:
High Fever
Immediately contact a doctor if your baby exibits a fever of any severity.
Difficulty Breathing
If your child is having trouble breathing, is exhibiting fast or labored breathing, or if their ribs show with each breath, seek immediate medical attention.
Dehydration
A child is more likely to become dehydrated when they are sick, but identifying dehydration in babies can be difficult. Look for the following signs:
Baby is less playful or sleepier
Baby is more irritable
The soft spot on their head is sunken in
There’s a decrease in wet diapers, or urine is darker in color
Fewer or no tears when crying.
Be sure to provide your child with plenty of fluids, which means breast milk or formula for babies under 6 months, and water for babies above 6 months. Check out these tips to keep kids of all ages hydrated.
Ear Infection
Sometimes, an upper respiratory cold can lead to an ear infection if germs travel into the middle ear through the eustachian tubes. Once inside, the virus or bacteria can cause the eustachian tube to swell, leading to blockage in the tube, poor ear function, and infected fluid in the middle ear.
It’s critical to contact a doctor if you think your child’s cold has turned into an ear infection, but it can be hard to tell if your child is too young to communicate. Look for these signs of a potential ear infection, and be sure to seek medical attention:
Baby is rubbing or tugging on ear
Baby is crying more than usual or acting fussy
Baby has a fever between 100.5°F and 104°F
Baby starts mouth breathing or has increased snoring
Baby refuses to eat.
At the end of the day, there is no surefire way to prevent your baby from getting a cold. But fear not. Colds are common for infants, and while they can be challenging for you and your little one, they are usually little more than a nuisance. Still, always be sure to keep an eye on symptoms, and keep in contact with your child’s doctor if conditions worsen.