Baby and a Cold

Because my son currently has a cold, I wanted to share some natural remedies and advice for helping make a baby or toddler more comfortable when he or she has a cold.

1. Make sure baby drinks lots of liquids, especially water, watered down juices, or breastmilk.
2. Be aware that baby's appetite might still be there, but some foods are hard to swallow. Consider making a healthy banana-yogurt shake. Also feed baby fresh cut up fruit, and anything else that is easy to chew. Babies with a cold are trying to breathe and eat with their mouths, so the easier the food is to chew, the more likely baby will be to eat it.
3. For babies who will sit in a seat or chair, strapped in, bring them into the bathroom with you when you take a shower. The steam will act as a natural decongestant.
4. Elevate one end of the baby's crib mattress by placing a small, flat pillow underneath the mattress in the center. The slight elevation will help baby breathe better during nap time and at bed time.
5. At bath time consider a soothing bath soap for baby.
5. Consider age-appropriate medicine if you need to. Call your pediatrician for advice on which medicines are best for your baby's symptoms, age and weight.

Don't be surprised if baby back slides from his or her recent milestones. While baby is sick, or even for a few days after, baby may not be focused on newly learned skills.

For more, see 5 Natural Ways to Help Decongest a Baby with a Cold

or 5 Tips for Surviving Baby's First Cold