Tolfi Oow

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Colds in babies: Causes and Treatments

Colds in babies and children are not always easy, but they are part of the child’s development and at the same time strengthen the immune system. You can find out here from us how long a cold lasts in babies, what you can do about it and what home remedies are helpful during this time. 

Even if you are very worried at first if your toddler catches a cold relatively quickly after birth, there is usually no danger. Especially in the first years of life, infants are quickly susceptible to childhood diseases because their immune system is not yet so strong. If you are still very worried, you can always go to the doctor as a precaution and have your child examined to rule out more serious causes.

Causes and duration of a cold in young children

The trigger for colds in babies, children and adults are various viruses that spread to an infection in the throat, nose and mouth area. They are transmitted through coughing, sneezing or physical contact. Because babies’ immune systems aren’t as strong as older children’s, they’re more likely to catch colds. This changes over the years as the immune system is strengthened more and more. On average , a baby’s cold lasts between eight and ten days. In most cases, the cold subsides by the 8th day and often goes away on its own.

Symptoms of a cold in babies

If your child suffers from the flu , you can tell by the following symptoms:

  • loss of appetite
  • Increased body temperature and fever (up to 39°)
  • to cough
  • sniffles
  • hoarseness
  • red eyes
  • earache
  • Sore throat
  • swollen lymph nodes (in the neck, neck and armpits)
  • restlessness
  • irritability
  • refusal to drink
  • Atemprobleme

Should any of the above symptoms appear, sleepless nights are almost certain. Lie down next to your child, give him or her a lot of warmth and love, especially now, and above all keep calm in front of your baby. Stress in such situations only makes things worse and the children louder. On the following page you can find out what you can do and which home remedies help with a cold to avoid a visit to the doctor.

What home remedies help your baby with a cold?

You can use these home remedies if your toddler has the following symptoms .

  • The be-all and end-all in a cold season is a lot of rest, warmth and love, even for babies.
  • If you have a fever, make sure your child continues to eat or drink normally, when they are unlikely to be hungry or thirsty. This is particularly important as it can bring down the fever. Tip: Give your toddler lukewarm chamomile tea, chamomile has an antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effect.
  • If it suffers from baby sniffles, you can make it easier for it to breathe by gently blowing its nose regularly. Otherwise, nose drops with saline solution from the pharmacy also help quite well against a stuffy and runny nose. Onion fumes could also make breathing easier again. To do this, peel an onion, cut it into small pieces, put it in a cloth handkerchief or a baby sock and hang it over the baby’s bed. The steam from the shower head is just as effective against a stuffy nose. To do this, go to the bathroom with your baby, turn on the water a little and breathe in the steam from the water together. Afterwards you should definitely remember that your child needs fresh and warm clothes.
    If none of this helps, an old midwife’s tip may provide help. This states that the antibodies in breast milk help the mucous membranes in the nose to decongest. All you have to do is pour some breast milk into each of your child’s nostrils to soothe your child’s mucous membranes.
  • Apply cream to the nose of the little creature several times a day so that the mucous membranes in this area are not irritated any more. If you don’t discover any typical cold symptoms, but you still hear that your child’s nose is blocked, check your child’s nose to make sure that it hasn’t stuck anything up its nose.
  • If your infant has a cough, make sure he drinks plenty and breathes fresh air. Dress him up warmly and go for a walk or stand together in front of the fridge for a moment. Never give liquid honey to your child under the age of one, because honey can contain a certain bacterium, which the intestines and immune system of such a small creature cannot yet cope with. Also avoid essential oils and cough tea mixtures, which could cause allergic reactions.

Now you should see a pediatrician

If your child is less than three months old, you should see a pediatrician at the first signs of some symptoms. If your child is a bit older, it is also better to visit a doctor. Otherwise, have your child examined by a doctor if the symptoms get worse instead of better after a few days or generally do not want to go away. The symptoms include a fever over 38°, a cough that does not stop and is almost permanent, a cold that does not go away, shortness of breath due to a blocked nose, your toddler completely refusing to drink or eat, rubbing his ears, crying a lot and if when coughing or when greenish, yellowish or brownish mucus comes out when you blow your nose.

Antibiotics or globules?

If the doctor diagnoses bronchitis, a middle ear infection, pneumonia or a sinus infection, he may recommend antibiotics. A multiplication of the bacteria and at the same time the killing should be promoted. In any case, pay attention to the correct medical dosage and do not stop it without medical advice beforehand.

Parents want quick treatment when their child is suffering from an infection. Homeopathy is a good alternative to medically administered medication. The symptoms can be treated with chemical-free homeopathic remedies – with globules. Administer the following globules: Belladonna for high fever, Chamomilla for recurring infections and Ferrum phosphoricum for the first signs of a flu infection. Put the globules on the inside of your child’s cheeks so that they don’t swallow them. The beads slowly dissolve and have a healing effect on the mucous membranes in the mouth, and the symptoms slowly subside.

This is how you protect your newborn from a cold

Unfortunately, there are often few ways to protect your baby from a cold, on the contrary, there are often more risks of infection. Only one sibling needs to bring an infection home from school or kindergarten and the risk of the baby also being infected is very high. Of course you can still do a few things:

  • Always wash your hands and your child’s hands thoroughly, be it after a bus ride or after blowing your nose.
  • The siblings and of course you as parents should avoid coughing or sneezing on the child as much as possible.
  • Make sure that your baby does not get his hands on any objects that have previously been touched by a cold baby or child.
  • If your baby is not stressed, try to bring as little stress as possible to him or her.

Tolfioow wishes you and your child a good and above all stress-free recovery!

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Crystal Waston MD

Crystal Waston has a degree in Cross Media Production and Publishing. At vital.de she gives everyday tips and deals with topics related to women's health, sport, and nutrition.

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