7 month old DD may be getting sick! What can I do?

[Georgia's Mama]

Hi mamas!
I think my 7 month old DD may be getting sick for the first time. Her nose is a little runny and she's sneezed and coughed just a bit. She doesn't have a fever. I really don't want to take her to the doctor because I don't want her to give us antibiotics. Is there anything I can do to nip this little cold in the bud without medication? Thanks, ladies!!!

[quietserena]

I would take this opportunity to nurse her as much as you can while you yourself take in really good food, plenty of vitamin c included. If you can, just staying in bed or on the couch, and if not, baby in sling with free boob access? It is hard to drink when the nose is stuffy so giving plenty of opportunity is helpful.

If the nose is stuffy and making things difficult, a few drops of breast milk will help it a lot better than saline. Breast milk doesn't burn when it hits the throat. I usually use a spoon - express a few drops of milk into the spoon and then tip it into the nose. At that age, I would cover her eyes so you don't have to fight her trying to get the spoon in her mouth. I had to do this with my DD1, even though she had never seen a spoon for food, she just kept assuming it was aiming for her mouth and was trying to help.

It'll be ok mama!

ETA: there is rarely a need for a baby to get abx, no worries. unless she is immunocompromised or something, most babies get a bug of some sort and they get over it rather quickly, with momma's milk help.

[Georgia's Mama]

Thanks, mama! That helps a lot. Hopefully she'll get over this quick!!!!