first cold

[nukuspot]

DD is 7.5 months and has her first cold. So much congestion---Lots of clear mucus running out of her nose and spraying everywhere when she sneezes. It also started with a cough, but now is mostly a runny nose deal. It is so hard for her to sleep and she is pretty grouchy.

I know this is just a part of having a baby but it is my firs cold in my first baby and it is HARD for me to just wait it out. I ordered a humidifier online but it will take a week to get here---Probably not in time for this cold. I am going to take her in the shower with me and I have tried to squirt BM up her nose but I have bad aim, I don't think it made it up. She hates the bulb and I don't like using it either What sort of saline do people use if I was doing to try that? DH is now holding warm flannels over her face which she seems to like. We give her Udo's probiotics and Carlson's D drops (400IU vitamin D) each day normally, but is there anything extra that people can think of that we can do to try to make this easier for her and help her get better soon? Or at least an easier way to suck the mucus out?

[Anastasiya]

I would personally keep with the breastmilk. You can express a little into a tsp and drip it into her nose that way, or use a syringe. Do you have the syringes that come with infant medicines like Ibuprofen? Just aiming the breast and firing never worked for me, but the other ways did.

When mine are really congested I sleep with them in the recliner so they can be elevated and the runny nose drains better.

Hope she feels better soon.

[Ruthie's momma]

Oh, poor baby! DD is 2 1/2 and is just recovering from a cold. I offer her the same treatments now as I did when she was a young babe.

*A humidifier nearby (especially at night) helps to keep the sinuses moist (and clear). Taking her into the shower or the bathroom during a shower helps as well.

*An herbal vapor salve (with eucalyptus, peppermint and thyme)spread right inside the nose and on the chest offers a lot of relief.

*Saline drops (or breastmilk) helps to keep the sinuses moist and clear. You can purchase saline drops over the counter at most any grocery store. But, you can also make your own by adding a 1/2 teaspoon of salt to 1 cup of warm water.

http://oce.sph.unc.edu/phnceac/babyguide/nosedrop.pdf

*A lot of snuggles!

*A dose of Tylenol, if necessary.

[chix99]

What is this about squirting BM up baby's nose? Sorry to hijack, OP - my 11 week old has her first cold too! Poor thing! Can you enlighten me on what the BM in nose is supposed to do? Sounds odd, but I'm intrigued...

[Anastasiya]

Originally Posted by chix99

What is this about squirting BM up baby's nose? Sorry to hijack, OP - my 11 week old has her first cold too! Poor thing! Can you enlighten me on what the BM in nose is supposed to do? Sounds odd, but I'm intrigued...

It does the same thing saline would do. It loosens mucus, makes it easier to suction, clears the sinuses, is pH balanced so it doesn't irritate, and it is packed full of antibodies which may or may not do some good. Plus, it tastes better (rather than having saline drip down the back of your throat - yuck!)