My baby has a cold- How can I make her feel better?

[femalephish]

My 4.5 month DD has a cold something awful. (And her first tooth is breaking through- poor thing!) She is having a rough time sleeping because when she tries to suck to sleep her stuffy-ness wakes her up and she cries. She doesn't have a fever so I don't think I should take her to the Dr. but what CAN I do to make her feel better? This has been going on for days, when do I need to call? She is still able to nurse, and she does sleep a bit, she just can't seem to stay asleep for very long and she is very uncomfortable when she is awake.
Thanks!

[bajamergrrl]

The only thing that really helped my DS feel better was nursing. I also tried to clear his nose as much as I could without a bulb. Some mamas might recommend a squirt of saline or breastmilk up the nose. My DS is mostly over his cold now so I haven't had a chance to try that recommendation.

[Blueone]

I actually gave him 1 tablet of hylands sniffles and sneezes meds. I was desperate so I went ahead and used it even though it was recommended for 2+ years. I use just 1 and maybe 3 or more hours later I give him 1 more. He was really congested though and I swear it made a huge difference.

I also used a light strip of vicks on his feet, they do have one for infants 3+ months that you can use on the chest too. I also used a cold humidifier and kept him in the bathroom during a hot steamy shower for me to clear things up. Saline nasal drop work really well too!

[hibiscus mum]

If he sleeps in a crib, you can roll up a towel or something and place it under the mattress on one side. That way he'll be sleeping on a bit of an angle and it might help the stuffy nose. I also take my kids on a lot of walks outside when they have colds. The cool air seems to keep things flowing. The cool air humidifier is a good suggestion too.

[darcytrue]

I'd try saline drops. You can buy them at Babies R Us or make your own and use a dropper to put them in her nose.

[Vegan Princess]

We used a humidifier in her room and that seemed to help. You can also shower with baby before bed to help clear the nose. We also put books under the head of her crib mattress to keep her elevated. I sucked the nose before every feed and before bed. I have a japanese sucker that you use your mouth on and it works great. Hang in there!

Cindy

[nukuspot]

tell me more about this japanese sucker?!

[Anastasiya]

Originally Posted by nukuspot

tell me more about this japanese sucker?!

Guessing it looks like this:
http://www.thingamababy.com/baby/200..._nosefrid.html

Kinda grosses me out, inhaling air that came from my kiddo's nose.

[hotharmony]

My LO loves the nose sucker thing, not only does he like to play with it but will sit still and let me sucker out his buggies when he's not feeling well.

I do saline spray in the nose, little noses makes a spray that is for babies same formula different delivery. Having him in the bathroom while you have a warm bath, or even doing a warm bath with a drop of lavender or eucalyptus would be ok just go easy on it.

[Kelly1101]

Another one for saline in the nose, then aspirate (I use just a regular ol' bulb). Lots of holding, rocking, nursing. Baths. Tylenol for fever.

[blumom2boyz]

Saline or breastmilk up the nose (alternate if you can). You can take elderberry syrup (it will pass through your milk and help strengthen her immune system). Ditto everyone else (although I would forgo tylenol for a fever...better to let it run its course).