Babies and Colds

[sar7]

Can anyone offer any suggestions? My 12 week old daughter has got a bit of a cold. She's fine in the day but at night gets pretty snuffly and is unsettled. Prior to this she was sleeping really well so I'm finding it a bit difficult.

Anyone know how to make them feel more comfortable?

Thanks!

[suzywong]

My 4 month old is the same at the moment.
Here's what I do
Prop him up on a pillow to aid nasal drainage, but only if she is sleeping with you or very close to your bed, she is too little to sleep with a pillow alone in another room. It is safer still to put some books, about 3 inches worth, under the head end feet of her cot to elevate her.
And the other thing to do, you may think this is disgusting, is to suck her nose for her, it is the only way to really clear her passages.
Also you can get a saline solution nasal spray that is safe to use from 3 months from the pharmacy and giving her a quick squirt will clear her passages
Otherwise just be prepared for a disturbed night, give lots of cuddles and reassurance and she will get back in to her old routine once she is better.
Sorry to sound patronising, but IME winter brings one ailment after another and it's kinder on yourself to let go of any preconceived patterns of sleep and just be grateful for the good nights

HTH

[gingernut]

IIRC, from 3 months you can also use snufflebabe which is a decongestant rub, and calpol if she has a temperature.

HTH

[Tinker]

You can get something from the chemist which does teh snot sucking for you. Didn't know about it my my little girl was a baby but heve heard about it on here

[Bede]

A friend sent me a 'snot sucker' from the States - they are marvellous. I've since seen them in Boots they come in a little 'nursery set' along with nail clippers etc. Try and buy one which opens at the bulb end so it can be cleaned

[JanH]

Bede, it's called a "nasal aspirator"! tsktsk, can we be a bit more ladylike on this thread please?

[fee77]

"Nasal Aspirator" works really well, but it is disgusting! I have found it works best if you put the babe in a steamy room for five mins before hand - this tends to loosen everything up a bit! I was told yesterday that there are 200 cold virus's, and kiddies get an average of 8 colds a year - what fun!

[marlou]

Try giving her a warm bath before bed, the steam will help clear her nose, also agree with suzywong on the elevating of the head end of the cot. Karvol is also good, put a few drops onto a hankerchief near her cot (but not within reach) the vapour helps clear the nose. Try not to let her get too upset, the more they cry the more bunged up they get!! Otherwise you just have to stick it out! Oh and plenty of fluids, little and often, they often go off their feeds when poorly.

[JanHR]

I use the Karvol plug in Vaporizer that yuo can buy in boots.

[twiglett]

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[handlemecarefully]

You could also invest in a plug in humidifier (I bought mine from Argos for £30 - 40), since its easier for them to breathe in moist air.

My dd is now 18 months old and during her first winter had a permanent cold. During her second winter (i.e. now) - same applies!

[Angeliz]

i put a damp towel on the radiator to moisten the air. Second the karvol too,