Logan Reid
While most common colds in infants can be treated at home, there are certain instances where a hospital visit is necessary. In this article, we will explore the various treatments available for infants with a cold, including home remedies and medical interventions, and provide guidelines on when to seek hospital treatment. We will also discuss the potential complications that can arise from a common cold in infants and how these can be managed.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Treatment | Hospitals treat infants with a cold by easing their symptoms. Treatment may include helping them stay hydrated, using a humidifier, or suctioning nasal mucus to clear up a stuffy nose. |
| Home treatment | Home treatment for an infant's cold consists of helping them feel comfortable. This may include giving them fluids, keeping the air moist, and helping them keep the inside of their noses clear. |
| Over-the-counter medication | Over-the-counter medications, including fever reducers and cold medications, should not be used unless directed by a doctor. |
| Antibiotics | Antibiotics don't work on viruses and shouldn't be given as treatment for a cold. Antibiotics may be used if a child gets an ear or sinus infection. |
| Cough and cold medications | Cough and cold medications aren't recommended for children under 4 years old. |
| Hospitalization | In most cases, hospitalization is not required for infants with a cold. However, if an infant is experiencing respiratory distress or other severe symptoms, hospitalization may be necessary. |
| Prevention | To prevent a cold in an infant, it is important to keep them away from people who are sick, avoid public transportation, and practice good hand hygiene. |
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What You'll Learn
Home remedies for infant colds
While hospitals do treat infants with colds, it is usually only in cases where there are serious complications. In most cases, parents can treat their infant's cold at home with some simple remedies.
- Offer plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration. Breast milk or formula are the best choices, as breast milk offers extra protection from cold-causing germs. If your baby is over 6 months old, you can also give them water. Encourage them to drink more if their urine is dark.
- Suction your baby's nose with a rubber bulb syringe to clear mucus. You can also use saline drops or a saline spray to help loosen and remove dried mucus.
- If your baby is over 6 months old, warm, clear liquids such as broth, soup, or chamomile tea can help relieve congestion.
- Chicken soup is not just an old wives' tale! It can help relieve congestion and ease cold symptoms.
- If your baby is over 1 year old, a spoonful of honey can calm a nighttime cough. However, do not give honey to younger babies as it can cause botulism.
- A lukewarm sponge bath can help bring down a fever.
- Make sure your baby gets enough sleep, as this will help their body fight off the virus.
- If the air in your home is dry, use a humidifier to add moisture to the air and help loosen mucus.
- Keep your baby away from secondhand smoke, as this can irritate their nose and throat and make it harder for them to recover.
When to See a Doctor
While home remedies can help ease your baby's cold symptoms, it's important to know when to seek medical attention. Contact your paediatrician or healthcare professional if:
- Your baby has a fever. Do not give fever medicine without first consulting a healthcare professional.
- Your baby is having trouble breathing.
- Your baby shows signs of dehydration, such as no urine in more than 8 hours, dark urine, a very dry mouth, or no tears.
- Your baby has a weak immune system or other health conditions.
- Your baby is younger than 3 months old and has a rectal temperature of 100.4°F (38.0°C) or higher, or is fussy and not drinking.
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When to take infants with a cold to the hospital
It is normal for healthy infants to get at least six colds a year. In most cases, you do not need to take your infant to the hospital when they have a cold. However, you should call your infant's doctor if they develop complications, such as an earache or sinus infection, or if their symptoms last longer than two weeks.
If your infant has a fever, you can use an over-the-counter fever reducer, such as acetaminophen (e.g. Tylenol) or ibuprofen (e.g. Advil). However, do not give acetaminophen to infants younger than three months old without consulting a healthcare professional first. Ibuprofen should not be given to infants younger than six months old or to infants who are vomiting or dehydrated.
If your infant is having trouble breathing, you should seek medical attention immediately. Signs of respiratory distress include a bluish tint to the lips or fingertips, indicating that your infant is not getting enough oxygen. Dehydration is another reason to take your infant to the hospital. Signs of dehydration include a lack of urine for more than eight hours, dark urine, a very dry mouth, and a lack of tears.
If your infant has a weak immune system due to conditions such as sickle cell disease, HIV, cancer, organ transplant, or the use of oral steroids, you should be particularly vigilant and consult a healthcare professional if you are concerned about their symptoms.
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Medication for infant colds
When it comes to medication for infant colds, it is always recommended to consult a doctor or healthcare professional before dispensing anything to an infant. Over-the-counter (OTC) medications, including fever reducers and cold medications, should not be used unless directed by a doctor.
Most colds in infants will clear up on their own within 7 to 10 days without treatment. However, there are some steps that can be taken to help ease symptoms and keep the baby comfortable. This includes helping them stay hydrated, using a humidifier, and suctioning nasal mucus to clear congestion.
Breast milk or formula can help keep the baby hydrated, and it is recommended to encourage the baby to take in their usual amount of fluids. Extra fluids are not necessary. If the baby is over 6 months old, a small amount of water may be offered. Nasal suctioning can be done using saline drops and a suction bulb. A cool-mist humidifier can also be used to decrease congestion and make breathing easier.
If a fever is present, a fever reducer can be used, but only under the direction of a healthcare professional. For children younger than 3 months old, acetaminophen (Infants' Tylenol) should not be given until the baby has been seen by a doctor. Ibuprofen should not be given to children younger than 6 months old or to children who are vomiting or dehydrated.
It is important to note that cough and cold medicines are not recommended for infants and young children. They can cause serious, sometimes deadly, side effects and will not make the cold go away faster. Instead, it is best to focus on keeping the infant comfortable and well-hydrated, and to seek medical attention if symptoms worsen or persist.
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How to prevent infant colds
While there is no cure for the common cold, there are several ways to prevent your infant from catching one. Here are some ways to reduce the risk of your baby getting a cold:
Keep Your Infant Away from Sick People
If someone around your baby is sick, keep your infant away from them. Colds are transmitted via direct contact with an infected person or through coughing and sneezing.
Wash Hands Frequently
Frequently washing your and your infant's hands can help prevent the spread of germs and reduce the risk of your baby catching a cold. Teach your child how to wash their hands properly when they are able to do so.
Clean Toys and Play Areas
Ensuring that your child's toys and play areas are clean, especially when used by multiple children, can help reduce the risk of germ transmission and lower the chances of your infant catching a cold.
Breastfeed Your Baby
Breast milk offers extra protection from cold-causing germs. Breastfeeding your baby can help boost their immune system and reduce the risk of them catching a cold.
Vaccinate Your Baby
Vaccinate your baby according to the routine vaccine schedule. Vaccines such as the flu shot and the COVID-19 immunization can help protect your infant from getting sick.
Offer Plenty of Fluids
Keeping your baby well-hydrated is important. Offer plenty of fluids, such as breast milk or formula, to help thin out nasal mucus and loosen any phlegm in the lungs. However, extra fluids are not necessary, and the recommended amount is usually sufficient.
Use a Humidifier
Using a humidifier can help moisten the air and thin out nasal mucus, making it easier for your baby to breathe and reducing congestion.
Suction Your Baby's Nose
Use a rubber bulb syringe or a saline solution to suction and clear your baby's nasal mucus. This can help your baby breathe more easily and reduce congestion.
It is important to note that over-the-counter medications, including fever reducers and cold medications, should not be given to infants unless directed by a doctor. Always consult your baby's pediatrician or healthcare professional before administering any medication.
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Complications from infant colds
While colds are not usually serious, about 5 to 10% of infants develop complications. The most common complication is an ear or sinus infection, which is caused by bacteria. Ear infections occur when bacteria or viruses enter the space behind the eardrum. A cold can also lead to other bacterial infections, including pneumonia, bronchiolitis, and croup.
It is important to be vigilant for symptoms of more serious illness, particularly if your infant is under three months old. If your baby is experiencing respiratory distress, or is having trouble breathing, you should seek medical attention immediately. Other symptoms to watch out for include:
- Dehydration (indicated by no urine in more than 8 hours, dark urine, a very dry mouth, and no tears)
- A weak immune system (for example, sickle cell disease, HIV, cancer, organ transplant, or taking oral steroids)
- Fever in a baby less than 12 weeks old
- Yellow scabs around the nasal openings
- Bluish tint to the lips or fingertips, indicating oxygen deprivation
If your baby is struggling with a cold, there are some steps you can take to ease their discomfort. It is important to keep your baby hydrated, using a humidifier, and to suction nasal mucus to clear their nose. You can also give your baby breast milk, which offers extra protection from cold-causing germs.
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Frequently asked questions
The best treatment for most coughs and colds is rest. If your child is unwell, keep them at home to rest and recover. This way, their immune system can fight the virus. Make sure your child drinks plenty of fluids.
In most cases, your doctor can diagnose a cold by examining your child and asking you a few questions. However, if your child has trouble breathing, take them to the hospital immediately. If your child is under 3 months old, do not give them acetaminophen until they have been seen by a healthcare professional.
You can help ease your baby's symptoms by giving them fluids, keeping the air moist, and clearing the inside of their noses with a rubber-bulb syringe. You can also use saline nose drops or spray to help thin mucus and make it easier to blow out.
