Winter woes
Winter woes‘Tis the season for coughs and colds. Sally J. Hall investigates what happens when baby’s ill and when to call the doctor.
When you have a newborn, you feel like you want to wrap them up in cotton wool and protect them as long as possible. But sooner or later – and in Winter months usually sooner – your little one will get a seasonal ailment.
The common cold
We still don’t know exactly why we’re prone to this seemingly trivial illness – although with over 200 cold viruses, it’s no wonder your baby can get up to eight colds in his rst year alone. For a baby, having a cold feels a lot worse than for us. They are prone to get mucus in the nose, which can seriously affect breastfeeding as a baby can’t breathe and feed with a blocked nose. The result can be a very unhappy tot. Ease the symptoms by gently wiping mucus from the nostrils, dampening tissues with sterile saline to avoid soreness and if needed use a nasal aspirator. Make sure your baby gets lots of fluids and consider a humidifier as this may help. At night, a simple old fashioned remedy like a vapour rub works well, or drip Eucalyptus essential oil on a tissue and leave it near the head of the cot – never inside it. If your baby seems to have a slight fever, an infant paracetamol or ibuprofen solution can be given according to the instruction, once your baby is over two months. Never use a cough and cold remedy, as these are for children over six.
Can I avoid my baby getting colds?
Breastfeeding reduces the risk of infections. Keep your baby away from others with colds and always use good hygiene when hand washing. If you or your partner smokes, give up now and never smoke near your baby.
When should I seek medical help?
Always go to the doctor with a child that seems unwell if they are under three months. If symptoms continue for more than ve days, he has a temperature, green or brown mucus, is rubbing the ears (a sign of ear infection) or has a persistent cough, seek medical advice.
Is it flu?
This may be the case if your baby has a temperature of over 38 degrees Centigrade, is more tired than usual, lethargic, has a dry cough, loss of appetite and seems generally unwell. Use the above advice for relief of symptoms and call the doctor if you are worried.
Whooping cough
This bacterial infection comes with a distinctive – and scary – cough, when your baby seems to gasp for air between coughs. This is quite distressing and you should seek medical help immediately for treatment with antibiotics, as it can quickly lead to other complications like kidney failure and pneumonia. Pregnant women are offered a vaccine against this in the third trimester, so make sure you ask your medical team.
Croup
Caused by a virus, this manifests itself with a bark- like cough and commonly affects children between six months and three years. It needs swift treatment with steroids and symptoms may be eased with paracetamol or ibuprofen suitable for babies and with steam inhalation.
Coughs
All of the above may come with a persistent cough making it hard for your baby to sleep. Make sure he takes naps at other times and keep up fluid levels (extra feeds and make sure you drink plenty). Steam may help, as will an infant paracetamol or ibuprofen solution.