The best baby cold remedies—and the ones you should avoid (2024)

FAQs

What can you not give a baby with a cold? ›

Antibiotics don't work against cold viruses. Try to make your baby more comfortable with measures such as making sure he or she drinks enough fluids, suctioning nasal mucus and keeping the air moist. Over-the-counter (OTC) medications generally should be avoided in babies.

How long does a cold last in babies? The common cold usually lasts seven to 10 days, though a residual cough may linger for longer — sometimes up to three weeks. Symptom-wise, day three is often the worst.

“Fresh air can be good for some colds that babies and toddlers get, such as croup – a viral cold that gives kids a bark-like cough,” says Smith. “The cool air can help their breathing, especially if the air is humidified a bit.” Think: Using an open window in a bathroom with shower steam.

If your baby has a cold with no complications, it should resolve within 10 to 14 days. Most colds are simply a nuisance. But it's important to take your baby's signs and symptoms seriously. If symptoms don't improve or if they worsen, it's time to talk to your doctor.

RSV can infect anyone, but is most dangerous in infants and the elderly. Its symptoms are similar to those of the common cold. They tend to run their course with only mild intensity in adults and older children. In infants and elderly, symptoms tend to be more severe, and can include fevers and wheezing.

The stages of a cold include the incubation period, appearance of symptoms, remission, and recovery.

If your child has had a cough that's lasted longer than 3 weeks, see a GP. If your child's temperature is very high, or they feel hot and shivery, they may have a chest infection. You should take them to a GP, or you can call 111.

How do you get rid of a cold fast for kids? ›

Gentle taps on your baby's back can help ease chest congestion. Lay them down across your knees and gently pat their back with your cupped hand. Or do it while they sit on your lap with their body leading forward about 30 degrees. It loosens mucus in the chest and makes it easier for them to cough it up.

If your baby is under the age of 2, you should never apply Vicks to their chest, nose, feet, or elsewhere. You could try special nonmedicated rub for babies 3 months and older. The blend is dubbed as a “soothing ointment” that contains fragrances of eucalyptus, rosemary, and lavender.

Keep Theirs Heads Upright

The best default position for your baby to be in when they have a cold is upright. This helps for congestion to clear and for breathing to become easier. And, most importantly, it helps them get that vital rest they need so much.

Keep cool. It might feel counterintuitive if they're suffering from a cold, but body temperatures spike at night, so make sure their room is cool and well ventilated. Layer their bed with a sheet and a duvet or blanket so they can snuggle up to start with and then sleep with just the sheet later if they get too hot.

Make Sleep Easier

Your baby's stuffy head, runny nose, or cough can keep them awake. Try these tips: Use a humidifier or cool-mist vaporizer. They add needed moisture to the air in their bedroom.

Q: Can cold weather make a baby get sick? A: We're so happy you asked this question so we can set the record straight once and for all: To catch a cold, you need to be exposed to a virus. Simply being out in cold weather can't trigger the sniffles.

While it might be comfortable for your baby to sleep with a congested nose, it's considered safe for most children.

Babies get so many colds because their immune system isn't yet ready to fight off the 100 or so viruses that cause these infections. The cold virus spreads through the air when someone who's sick coughs or sneezes.

What are the first signs of RSV in babies? ›

Symptoms peak: Cold symptoms peak at 1 to 3 days. The main symptoms include sore throat, stuffy nose, runny nose, cough, discomfort, sneezing, fever (more common in children), headaches, clear, watery discharge from your nose (mucus), and body aches.

Within 7–10 days , people will usually start to recover from a cold. Symptoms begin to ease up, and people will start feeling better. People may also find that they have more energy and are more able to carry out tasks as usual.

Most cases are mild, but for some children, an ordinary cold or flu can quickly turn into respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), asthma or pneumonia that requires ER treatment or hospitalization.

There is no way to get rid of a cold fast. A cold will usually go away on its own without treatment. However, a person may experience uncomfortable symptoms while they recover. People can take steps to aid recovery, such as getting plenty of rest.

Vitamin C does not prevent colds and only slightly reduces their length and severity. A 2013 review of scientific literature found that taking vitamin C regularly did not reduce the likelihood of getting a cold but was linked to small improvements in cold symptoms.

If winter brings you a sore throat and coughing, a spoonful of honey can be quite soothing. And it might even reduce symptoms from an upper respiratory tract infection, suggests a review of studies published online Aug. 18, 2020, by BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine.

How can I clear mucus from my baby's throat and lungs? ›

Wipe away extra mucus with a soft cloth or a tissue. Use a sterilized rubber bulb to gently suction out extra mucus (more on this below). Use a saline spray to help loosen dried snot and clear it out of the nostrils. Use a cool-mist humidifier in baby's room to keep the air moist.

Using Vicks VapoRub on your feet or other areas of your body has a cooling effect. This is mainly because of the camphor and menthol. The cooling sensation of the vapor rub may be pleasing and temporarily help you feel better. But it doesn't actually reduce body temperature or fevers.

People swear it works: putting Vicks VapoRub on the souls of your feet and covering them with a towel or socks can get rid of your cough overnight.

Summary. There is no evidence that using Vicks VapoRub on your feet will help ease a cough. This product may seem to help when rubbed on your chest because menthol vapors make you feel as if you are breathing more easily. However, those aromatherapy benefits are hard to get if the product is far away from your nose.

It is so important to be feeding your baby lots of fruits and vegetables high in Vitamin C and antioxidants. They are invaluable for protecting the immune system. Remember with a cold you can have a stuffy nose, a cough and even headaches.

Give plenty of liquids, including breast milk or formula (if your baby doesn't take breast milk). A small amount of water may be offered to your baby if they're over 6 months old. Suction out nasal mucus using saline drops and a suction bulb. Moisturize the air with a cool-mist humidifier.

If your baby has a cold with no complications, it should resolve within 10 to 14 days. Most colds are simply a nuisance. But it's important to take your baby's signs and symptoms seriously. If symptoms don't improve or if they worsen, it's time to talk to your doctor.

Choose bananas that are yellow and apt for babies who are on their semi-solid diet. Even kids having cough or cold can also eat bananas but ensure if they are allergic to them or not.

Keep Theirs Heads Upright

The best default position for your baby to be in when they have a cold is upright. This helps for congestion to clear and for breathing to become easier. And, most importantly, it helps them get that vital rest they need so much.

If your baby is under the age of 2, you should never apply Vicks to their chest, nose, feet, or elsewhere. You could try special nonmedicated rub for babies 3 months and older. The blend is dubbed as a “soothing ointment” that contains fragrances of eucalyptus, rosemary, and lavender.

How long is too long for a baby to have a cold? ›

Call Your Doctor If:

Any fever if under 12 weeks old. Nasal discharge lasts more than 14 days. Cough lasts more than 3 weeks. You think your child needs to be seen.

Colds. Contact your health care provider if your baby has a cold that interferes with his or her breathing, has symptoms that last longer than 10 days, has ear pain, or has a cough that lasts more than one week.

You won't be able to tell the difference between a cold and respiratory syncytial virus in your home. You must to go to a healthcare professional to determine whether it's a cold or RSV.