5 week old has a cold - worried!

[dreamerkr]

My 5 week old DS seems to have caught a cold off me and DH. He’s coughing a little and is sneezing. He’s feeding well and apart from that he seems to be healthy and well. But I’m so worried as he’s so tiny! What can I do to help his cough and sneezing? Do I need to take him to the doctor? Me and DH had a cold for 2-3 days and we are both better now

I’m mixed feeding, slowly trying to move to just breastfeeding. Will breastfeeding help him to feel better?

He’s sneezing so much and I feel so upset that he’s unwell because of us. 😭 I can’t contact my GP at this time as it’s Sunday evening. Shall I call them tomorrow morning?

Breastfeeding will definitely help even if it's just as a comfort. You can use saline spray on him from birth I believe but that's it. No need for docs providing he's having plenty of wet nappies. It will pass (with maybe a couple of sleepless nights for you.

I had a cold when I gave birth to DD and she caught it from me.

Best thing you can do for him is breastfeed as much as he wants. He's getting your immune response as well as a ton of comfort from you.

You can also raise one end of his cot to help with congestion.

Snuffle baby drops in some steaming water in the room can also help.

He will be fine though and no need to call the doctor unless he seems very very unwell.

Thank you so much! I don’t have any saline spray today but I’ll definitely get it tomorrow. His cough isn’t bad at all, but he’s sneezing a lot. What can help with the sneezing? 🥺 I’m a FTM so am panicking and I have no idea about anything

The sneezing is fine. It will pass. Roll a hand towel and put it under his mattress to raise his head a bit while he's lying down.

Breastfeed as much as you can.

He will be fine. Think of it as a lesson for his immune system which is really important

Thanks guys 🥺🥺

Unfortunately there's nothing you can do to help with the sneezing! As others have said saline nasal drops/spray can help if his nose is blocked. It's great he's still feeding. If you're wanting to breastfeed more that's great, but the most important thing is that he's drinking. If you're worried about him absolutely get him checked by the gp, but you don't need to see the Dr unless you're concerned. Things to look out for would be if he wasn't feeding enough to be having wet nappies, or if he was working hard to breathe. If he has a high temperature (above 38 degrees) then in a baby that small it would be worth getting him checked. Hope he's feeling better soon.