Is your little one having the sniffles? Don’t worry, a cold is a common childhood condition and perfectly manageable
By Health Promotion Board in collaboration with Dr. Yvonne Ng, Senior Consultant, Department of Neonatology, National University Hospital.
Common colds are caused by viruses that live in your surroundings. Symptoms include sneezing, coughing, blocked and runny nose, mild fever, watery and red eyes. If the little one continues to be active, eats and plays as usual, there is no need to worry. Like any other virus, your little one will get better in a few days.
The best remedy for a cold is plenty of rest and hydration. Continue to breastfeed your baby. He might throw a little fuss during feeding, especially if his nose is blocked. It’s important to remain patient and keep trying!
Infants below one will need more frequent feedings to stay hydrated, so feed him small amounts of milk throughout the day.
Do not give any medicine to your baby without consulting your paediatrician first. In general, no oral cough and cold medications are given to infants below one year old.
You can use saline nasal drops or spray to clear mucous from baby's nose. Your doctor may prescribe nasal decongestants (a drug used to relieve nasal congestion) to help him breathe better.
Common colds can develop into lung infection (pneumonia). Look out for signs such as:
Bring him to the doctor when you notice any of the red flags mentioned above.
Bring your baby to the emergency department if your child has bluish lips, or is gasping for air.
Allergies do not cause fevers. Classic symptoms of allergies are:
These types of allergies usually occur in older children (aged one and above).
Related: 9 Common Issues Babies Face
Here are some simple things you can do to reduce your child’s risk exposure.
Visit Parent Hub, for more useful tips and guides to give your baby a healthy start.
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This article was last reviewed on 21 Dec 2022
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