Hi everyone,

well Lyliana has caught her first cold and we are not at all sure on what to do or when she should see a doctor. She has had it for almost a week and it doesn't seen to be getting any better. She doesn't have a

fever but she has a very runny nose and a nasty cough. She is getting quite anoyed with it now, she is very cranky and she is not napping well. She is not eating well either, she won't take all her bottle, and she is very fussy with her food too. What should we do? Should she see a doctor, or is this just one of those things that you just have to wait out? Or if anyone has any suggestions to make her feel better,and get better sooner we would apreciate it.

Cheers darren

Cold in children under 2 are very common. There are more than 100 cold viruses that go around and chances are your child will catch at least 8-10 colds a year in the first 2 years of their lifes. Most of these will be in autum/fall and winter due to being stuck indoors all day with other people.

The typical cold symtoms are a runny 'rudolph' nose, sneezing, sore throat, bad cough, congested chest and nose, sleeplesness, loss of apitite and tiredness. Depending on the child they will become super sensitive, sooky and clingy. Lots of cuddles and understanding in this area is helpful as it can get frustrating.
Some colds will only last a week, others up to two weeks. This is all normal.

To treat a cold in a baby - toddler with plenty of rest and fluids. Dont do a lot and try and keep a calm environment. Also for kiddies that are a little older and can eat icey poles there are ones you buy at the chemist. They are orange flavoured, and you just pop them in the freezer and give it to them like you would a normal icey pole. They help with dehydration. My kids loved these as they think its a treat when its just like medicine. Panadol for a fever and ice cream/icey poles for a sore throat. Baby Vics Vaopr Rub or eucalyptus oil is great for stuffy noses and yucky chests. There are plenty of natural remidies for a cold also if that is a path you would like to take.

WHEN TO WORRY

High temperatures. If your baby has a temp over 38.5 degrees C then a doctors visit is in order. Remembering that temps over 40oC can cause convulsions and high temps can lead to brain damage so its not something to treat mildly if its very high. If panadol wont ease it take them straight to the doctor or hospital. If your baby is convulsing call an ambulance.

Take them to a doctor if they are dehydrated. An easy way to tell this is are they dribbling? If they are then they are not dehydrated. Also if they are not eating or drinking anything for more than one - two days. Or if your child is vomiting.

IMMEDIATELY take your baby to the HOSPITAL if they seem like they are having trouble breathing. This is VERY important. A simple sign to tell if a baby under 2 is having a lot of problem breathing is you look at their lips. Are they blue or purple? Even a tinge? Then their chest. When you breath in your chest and tummy should inflate. With a baby struggling in sucks in. Learnt this with my boys as both have asthma and have had a lot of hospital admissions and this is something that they look for. If your child is coughing constantly and vomiting rush them to the nearest HOSPITAL immediately. This can be a sign of some well know serious chest diseases ( croup, whooping cough). These are serious and any respiratory distress should be taken very seriously!

If they are not having problems breathing or are not dehydrated, let it run its course. Its normal for kids to get sick. Even babies. It helps build up immunity. If your really worried take them to the doctor. Nothing wrong with making sure and we all know its better to be safe than sorry.