5 Tips for Surviving Baby's First Cold

A Common Sense Guide for First-Time Parents

Parents do everything they can to try and keep baby safe from catching a cold. It is inevitable, especially in the colder months, when baby and the whole family may be spending more time indoors, and its easier for viruses to spread.

So what are the top five tips for surviving baby's first cold?

1. When Baby Has a Cold Do I Call the Doctor?

When baby has his or her first cold it can be tough on parents and babies. Parents may worry about when to call the doctor. You should call the doctor in the following circumstances:

baby is less than three months old
baby has a history of ear infections, or is tugging at his or her ears
baby has a fever higher than 100 degrees
baby is also vomiting and has diarrhea
baby won't wake up
baby's cough has grown steadily worse or baby is wheezing (especially in babies under 12 months).

Also call your pediatrician if you have any questions about how to treat baby's first cold. The office nurse will take the time to answer your questions, and they are usually veryknowledgeable about what first time parents need to do for baby's first cold. If the doctor wants to see you they will set up the best time for you to come in.

2. How Do I Help De-Congest Baby's Nose During the First Cold?

First-time parents, brace yourself for a small wrestling match and screaming baby when you try to use a rubber bulb syringe during baby's first cold. No baby likes to have rubber bulb syringe putanywhere near their nostril, especially one that has a cold. But because baby cannot blow his or her own nose, the nasal congestion needs to be gently removed with a rubber bulb syringe.

Press down on the syringe and place it at the end of the nostril. Slowly lift your finger and let the air return to the rubber bulb syringe, which creates a suctioning of baby's nostril. It may take a couple of tries to get it right. Just remember to be as gentle as possible with your squirming baby, not to over-suction, and if there is a little blood then you've put the rubber bulb syringe in too far. Using the rubber bulb syringe sometimes takes two parents, one to help calm and hold baby.