Did you know that there are over 200 types of viruses that can cause a cold in babies or in us? Autumn and winter in particular are considered cold season. Although it is not the cold itself that causes a cold, cold air makes it easier for viruses to spread on our mucous membranes. They don't even stop at children.
What favours a baby catching a cold?
Viruses like that: During the heating period, we spend more time indoors. What then favours colds are poorly ventilated rooms, in which viral pathogens can unfortunately spread wonderfully. They do this through the air in tiny droplets that swirl around when coughing, sneezing or speaking (droplet infection) and also through hand contact, for example when shaking hands or touching door handles (smear infection).
TIPS: The rooms in which you spend time with your child need regular air exchange (a few minutes of shock ventilation). This will transport viruses outside. In addition, fresh air is more humid and can therefore absorb heat better than stale air. Just make sure that your child is not in a draught during ventilation. In addition: Wash your hands, wash your hands, wash your hands! When you come home from outside, after blowing your nose etc. Viruses don't like soap at all.
Cold feet or a chilled head also make us more susceptible to infection. This is because the body then restricts blood flow to prevent further heat loss. This causes the vessels in the nasal mucosa to contract, which dries them out and makes cold viruses happy.
TIP: So it's worth making sure your feet and head are always warm, even as a preventative measure. Even with babies!
The nest guard protects: Ultimately, however, no family member is completely immune to infection, not even the youngest. This is particularly true for families in which older siblings often bring virus packages home from nursery or school during the cold season. Mature babies with the so-called Nest protection into the world. This means that the mother has given the child antibodies via the umbilical cord. This means that it is protected against pathogens in the first weeks and months of life. However, this nest protection decreases after around three months.
Up to ten infections per year are still considered normal in the first two years of a child's life. Nevertheless, parents suffer when they see their baby struggling with a blocked nose that makes breathing and drinking difficult. Or when an annoying cough torments the little one. The only positive thing about this is the fact that every infection trains your baby's immune system and strengthens its defences. This is the best protection against new infections.
How does a baby's cold manifest itself?
You will notice that a baby with a cold cries more, perhaps even after drinking. Overall, the child is more restless (even when sleeping) and seems unhappy. Some babies also refuse to breastfeed.
Babies breathe mainly through their nose in their first months of life. If it is blocked because the mucous membranes are swollen, it is no fun for your baby to have to keep gasping for air while sucking.
When your child sniffles, sneezes or coughs, they will expel a watery secretion. This can become even thicker as the cold progresses. Fever as a protective reaction of the body signals that the little one is fighting an infection. Don't forget to take your baby's temperature regularly now. Reddened eyes are also characteristic of babies with a cold. And those who feel so sickly now also have a greater need for the comforting closeness of mum and dad.
If you notice that your baby is grabbing their ear noticeably often, pulling on it or turning their head back and forth, then they may also have a painful middle ear infection. In this case, viruses or additional bacteria have travelled to the ear. Sinusitis or tonsillitis also go beyond the scope of a "normal" cold. With such symptoms, the child should definitely be seen by a doctor. Please also read the section "When to go to the paediatrician's practice?" below.
What provides relief?
The most important things for a baby or child with a cold: lots of rest, lots of drinking, lots of fresh air.
- Now is really not the right time for longer trips, visits or other activities. Instead, the weakened little body needs Lots of peace and quiet.
- You know that pathogens can spread more easily on dry mucous membranes. On the other hand, well-circulated and moist mucous membranes make it harder for viruses to penetrate the body. So make sure Lots of fresh air (ventilation!), it promotes blood flow to the mucous membranes, keeps them moisturised and reduces swelling. This also makes it easier for your child to breathe. If your baby doesn't have a fever (over 38 degrees), go ahead and turn outside for about 30 minutes with the pram. Perhaps your baby - wrapped up warm - can also take a (midday) nap outside on the balcony or terrace for about half an hour.
- A higher Humidity in the room helps the mucous membranes and the child to breathe. You don't need to create a "tropical climate" for this. A few damp cloths over the (running) heater or in the baby's sleeping area will do the trick. The same applies to a bowl of water that can be placed on a cupboard or table to evaporate. If you like, you can also buy a humidifier or water evaporator for the radiators.
- Also Drink a lot keeps the mucous membranes moisturised and helps to liquefy nasal and throat secretions so that they can drain better. You should therefore now breastfeed your baby more often or offer him additional water or unsweetened fennel tea.
- For sleeping provides a small Wedge cushion or an appropriately folded towel under the child's head or upper body to ensure that he or she is in a safe place. Slightly inclined position lies. This favours easier breathing. It also helps the baby to cough up any mucus that is stuck. I know a mum who has also placed a file folder under the mattress for a more inclined position.
- In some cases homeopathic remedies help the child to cope better with the cold. However, be sure to seek professional advice on the choice of remedy, potency and dosage! For example, from your midwife, your paediatrician, at the pharmacy or from trained specialists.
Free nose
To make it easier for your baby to breathe and drink, it is important that the little sniffly nose is as clear as possible. Various remedies and methods can help here:
Proven household remedies include a few drops of Breast milkwhich you put into your child's nostrils. This has a decongestant effect on the mucous membrane and naturally moisturises it.
Many mothers also swear by the healing powers of the Onion. To do this, simply cut an onion into small pieces, heat it slightly if necessary (e.g. place it on the radiator) and put it in a cotton bag/cloth that you tie up. Alternatively, you can also use a baby sock. Then hang the onion bag near your child's sleeping area - but not near their head! The essential ingredients that are released will ensure that the mucus becomes more fluid and can drain better. Alternatively, you can also rub your baby's (warm!) feet with a sliced onion, put on socks and let the ingredients in the onion do their work.
ATTENTION - do not use essential oils! Essential oils (e.g. mint) should not be used at all on babies or small children. This also applies to cold remedies containing essential oils. They can put children in a life-threatening situation: Essential oils can cause a glottal spasm with respiratory arrest in this age group.
To reduce swelling of the mucous membranes, you can also use special Saline-based nasal drops for babies. However, ask your paediatrician for advice on this. Despite being recommended for babies, some nasal drops may contain harmful ingredients and/or be difficult to dose despite the pipette. Perhaps you have in your Medicine cabinet for children also a 0.9 per cent saline solution. You can use it to rinse your baby's nose, and the saline solution can also be used to Inhalation use.
As babies are not yet able to snort themselves, you can use a special Nasal aspirator for babies to remove nasal secretions. The teats work in different ways (e.g. manually or electrically). Alternatively, you can also use a twisted soft paper handkerchiefwhich you carefully insert into the front part of the small nostril and take out again with a gentle twisting movement.
ATTENTION - do not use cotton buds! Never you should remove your baby's nasal secretions with a cotton bud. If your little one moves unexpectedly or turns its head, there is a high risk of injury.
To prevent baby's nose from getting sore, you can cover it with Vaseline or a wound protection cream care. Simply apply it around the little nose.
When to go to the paediatrician?
In most cases, a baby's cold is harmless and can be successfully treated on your own. After around seven to 14 days, the illness should be over or at least have improved significantly.
However, if your baby is still younger than six monthsyou should always take your child to your paediatrician's practice. Also, do not hesitate to seek medical advice if you observe the following symptoms in your child:
- Your child is noticeably listless or apathetic.
- A high fever (from 39 degrees in children older than 4 months) develops within a short time.
- After 8 to 10 days there is still no improvement.
- Rattling breath or wheezing are noticeable. This signals that the child is having considerable difficulty breathing.
- The baby gets a cough as well as a runny nose
- Any cough sputum is more conspicuously coloured.
If your child refuses to eat, this may also be due to a sore throat or pain when swallowing. This could indicate tonsillitis. And if you suspect a middle ear infection (see above), you should also go to the doctor's surgery.
TIP: It is better to seek advice from a paediatrician once too often than once too little, so you can also find out whether you should give your child suppositories, cough syrup or other medication.
ATTENTION - the baby or toddler never Administer medication for adults. Not even in reduced doses! Such medicines are never suitable for babies and small children. So stay away from it!
As a parent, you are the person who has to recognise whether your baby simply has a cold or is ill. It is important for your child that you can recognise when help is needed. You can learn to do this. In my Online first aid course I will show you how to tell a healthy child from a sick one, how to prevent emergencies and, of course, how to act correctly if your child becomes seriously ill.
