How do you comfort a baby with a cold?

[April Dawn]

My son has a coughing, sneezing cold that just started today. I am thankful that he's generally such a healthy little guy. He's eight months old and he's never had a cold (although I have dealt with him feeling under the weather in other ways - he has bad reflux and eczema). He's my first child and I really have no experience in helping a baby with a cold feel better! I don't want to give him a bunch of cold medicines. So, experienced mamas: what are some of your favorite tips to help a baby with a cough, sneezing and runny nose feel better? Thanks so much!

[sunfish21]

I have only dealt with this a few times. We have steamed up the bathroom and hung out in there for awhile; run the hummidifier with pepperment or eucalyptus essential oil; saline drops and the nasal aspirator; and a natural version of a "vicks rub" type product. Sleeping reclining in the rocking chair with her on my chest helps, as does elevating the foot of the bed or crib, so long as they don't turn themselves around and have their head lower than the rest of their body. It is miserable...hopefully it ends very soon!

[Icehockey18]

Ds had two colds, back to back. One right after thanksgiving and one right after Xmas (thanks family get togethers...). We did a steamy shower a few times a day. I tried to nurse and snuggle under lots of blankets the rest of the time I tried to keep his days calm and not get him too 'fired up'. I never used saline or meds, just steam and the occasional suction (which he hates, so I only did it before naps). Hope your lo feels better!!!! (((hugs)))

[sunshynbaby]

Steamy bathroom, baby vicks vaporub, saline spray, nosefrida http://www.nosefrida.com/ (the aspirator never worked for us and this helped immensly), lots of nursing, and sleeping with his head elevated.

[MeepyCat]

Humidifier, saline or a drop of breastmilk up the nose, aspirator if those work for you... and then we just have a couple of low-key days with lots of snuggling and nursing.

If it's not too cold where you are, fresh air can really help a cough feel better, so try and get out during the day. (The chill will make his nose run something fierce, just so you're warned - bring tissues, don't wear your nicest coat.)

[lindsayjean]

My babe just had a cold and double ear infection!! Our chiro showed me some AWESOME tricks that I wish I would have known with my 1st child!! I take some warm coconut oil mixed with some lavender EO and stroke gentle down the back of his neck and sides, stroking downward to drain the lymphs (or something like that... it's good for when they're sick). She also showed me how to rub the sinuses around the cheek bones and on the forehead to loosen stuff up. Also, we like our humidifier, and sitting in the steamy bathroom, and I use the nasal aspirator sort of a lot to suck out all those boogies. Don't you wish babies could blow their noses?!

[firelillylight]

So sorry momma...it's hard to wath the little guys struggle. My 9 mo old dd is just now over her first cold. She was mostly fine during the day, stuffed/runny nose so we took frequent baths/showers...I think the showers elped drain the snot more than baths, but the baths helped her psychologically. She LOVES them! For the showers I put her on the floor in front of me and I'd just watch/play. Nighttime was when the struggles began..at least for me, bc she was also cutting her top two teeth. I had to hold her in my arms basically all night. whenever i laid her down she sounded like darth vador from star wars. so dh propped up my arms, legs, and neck so i could "sleep" too. did the same for nap time. whenever she had a coughing fit, i'd just take her outside for a few minutes..the colder air seemed to help.

i also had to go back to the days whenshe was 1-3 mo old, and turn the dryer on while i bounced/cradled her in my arms to get her to sleep. no small feat for a 26lb dd!!! i wonder if she remembers that as comforting?

HTH--don't forget to take care of yourself too. I didn't very well and i still feel like i'm dragging, 2 weeks later!

Melanie