It’s looking a little bit like cold season…

Soooo now, much as I needed last night to be a restful night, it was anything but. The baby, now along with teething, has his first bad cold. Poor little thing! Every time he woke up and tried to suck his thumb, he could not breathe amongst the mucus!! So you know my theory on sick babies – Do not let them cry it out. Yep! You guessed it. I pulled him into bed with me, and a fitful sleep we all did have.

If your baby is sick with crankiness, nasal congestion and little or no fever, mommy medicine does well. Infants less than 2 months old need to be evaluated by a physician. This is especially so if they have a rectal temperature greater than 100.4º F! I tell all my parents about my mommy medicine. Before bedtime, give your baby a bath with warm water and pour some water gently over his head to help with some of the congestion. Then dry him off with a large fluffy towel and clear out his nose with a nasal bulb suction. Give him some Tylenol for the fever. Studies in medicine have not shown the infant’s cold medication to be particularly helpful, but I think it helps a little. If they are over 3 months you can use infant decongestant and some Vicks Babyrub on their chest. Babies love the touch! After this, dress him and place him to sleep on his back.

Your baby should be getting better after 3 or 4 days. A physician should evaluate colds that are prolonged. The most important thing your baby probably needs is sleep! So this is where I throw out my strict sleep guidelines and let them sleep whenever and wherever. I love the extra cuddles! I just hold my baby tight and breathe in his sweet smell. It’s the little things in life….

Dr. Sheila Cason

Update: October 12, 2007

It is now recommended that no infants under 2 years of age take infant cold medications. Manufacturers of infant cold medication have begun voluntary withdrawal of their products from the market. As stated in the press release from The Consumer Healthcare Products Association website “Potential misuse of these infant medicines, not product safety, is driving the voluntary withdrawal. This withdrawal does not affect cough and cold medicines for children age 2 and older.”

Please see my recent article regarding infant cold medications.

Sheila Cason, MD