Baby’s First Cold: Survival guide | 6 essential products

These six essential products to combat a baby’s first cold are medicine cabinet musts if you’re looking for a few fail-proof baby cold symptom treatments to combat a toddler or newborn cold, check out my personal list below. 

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One of the worst times in a new mom’s life is when her child is sick! For a new mom, it’s possibly 10 times worse. Our six month old recently came down with her first cold, and I may or may not have cried every night. In hindsight, it was probably worse on me than her. In this post, you will find the 6 essential products I used (in moderation) to combat my baby’s first cold. I am not a doctor and recommend that you talk to your baby’s pediatrician before administering cold medicine.

My husband and I  strive only to give our daughter natural and/or organic baby cold treatments. We even attempted to let this cold “run its course.” Your baby’s first cold can be terrifying. The most important advice I would give a new mom during this time is to keep cool. More often than not, your little angel will be fine in a couple of days. These 6 essential products will help combat your baby’s first cold.

 

HOW TO IDENTIFY IF YOUR BABY HAS A COLD? 

The first symptoms of a toddler or newborn cold are coughing and congestion. Here are few other baby cold symptoms you should pay attention to.

• fussiness
• fever
• coughing, especially at night
• sneezing
• reduced appetite
• difficulty nursing or taking a bottle due to nasal congestion
• trouble falling or staying asleep

A common phrase here in Houston is, “If you don’t like the weather, give it 5 minutes, and it will change.” During the winter months, you may wake up to freezing temps, but by lunchtime, it’s 80 degrees. These bipolar temperatures are one of the main attributes of colds in babies. Another factor is daycare. Once one child gets sick, it spreads likes wildfire! We were fortunate that Emory only suffered from minor congestion, a slight fever, and a cough. As she is exclusively breastfed, I found that a child-friendly chest rub and a bathtime steam session helped her nurse.

HOW TO RELIEVE A BABY’S CONGESTION

In an attempt to help your baby recover, they need to get as much rest as possible. It’s challenging for your baby to do so when they are congested. Maty’s All Natural Baby Chest Rub was a Godsend. It’s a great tool to help relieve a baby’s congestion. Maty’s is menthol free making it safe to use on small children. I rubbed a little on Emory’s chest, the soles of her feet, and under her nose, as needed. I also found a product called “Oilogic” at my local pharmacy. Oilogic is a hand-made essential oil roll-on that naturally assists with common cold (and other) symptoms. We used the stuffy nose and cough vapor bath before bedtime.

Due to the fact that our daughter suffers from eczema, we refrain from daily warm baths. On the nights when she’s stuffy and can’t sleep, a steamy bathroom aided in relieving her nasal congestion.  We’d put her in her bouncer and read (or sing) to her while letting the hot shower run.

The steam loosened up the mucous in her nose, allowing us to suction it out easily. I prefer the Nose Frida vs. the old school, blue suction bulbs. Emory, on the other hand, would rather I not use either. She only lets her dad fidget with her nose, but I use the Nose Frida paired with Little Remedies Saline Drops when she allows me to.

WHAT’S THE BEST TREATMENT FOR BABY’S FIRST FEVER?

Before you get too concerned about your baby’s temperature, it’s important to know what temperature is actually considered a fever. Many people believe anything over 98.6 degrees F is fever, but that is not accurate. Our body temperatures fluctuate throughout the day. Babies and children can have even larger variations in their “normal” temperature.

Unless your child has an underlying medical condition and his healthcare provider has told you otherwise, a temperature is not considered a fever until it is over 100.3 degrees F. So, if you are concerned because your child’s temperature is 99.9, don’t be.

Thankfully, our baby’s first cold didn’t occur until she was 6 months. Most medicine is safe for babies 6 months and older. If you’re looking for the best treatment for any baby’s first fever, I recommend Motrin Infant Drops (which contains Ibuprofen). We administered a few doses during the daytime hours to bring her temperature down and help her rest.

WHAT’S THE BEST TREATMENT FOR BABY’S FIRST COUGH

Watching my baby cough, scare herself, and then cry was the hardest thing I had to endure throughout this process. I highly recommend Hyland’s Baby Nighttime Tiny Cold Syrup. I cut the dose in half to monitor its effects and tasted it before administering. Hyland’s Tiny cold Syrup reduced Emory’s coughing almost immediately, allowing her to get a good night’s rest.

Combating your baby’s first cold by first recognizing the baby’s cold symptoms and then identifying the best treatment methods is important when nursing your little one back to health. Unfortunately, this first cold will certainly not be the last, but I hope my Baby’s First Cold: Survival Guide will help me feel prepared.

 

I HOPE YOU ENJOYED THESE SIX ESSENTIAL PRODUCTS TO COMBAT YOUR BABY’S FIRST COLD. THESE PRODUCTS HAVE BEEN TESTED BY MY OWN FAMILY AND HAVE HELPED UP TREMENDOUSLY. HAVE YOUR OWN TIPS AND TRICKS FOR COMBATING A BABY’S FIRST COLD? DROP ME COMMENT I’D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU.

 

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This post provides content and discussion related to health, wellness, and related subjects. The words and other content provided in this blog, including links, should not be considered medical advice and should not be construed as such. Any health/wellness information should not be considered an alternative or replacement for information given to you by a licensed physician. If the reader or any other person has a medical concern, they should consult with a licensed physi­cian.