Newborn with a cold, any advice please, am about to keel over with lack of sleep..

[flowerybeanbag]

DS2 will be 6 weeks on Wednesday. He's doing really well but has developed a cold, with snuffly nose. He's working himself into a bit of a state because of it and is uncomfortable laying flat so is needing to be held/jigged about virtually all day and night. He is also obviously struggling with feeding, so he gets starving, then struggles to feed as he can't breathe properly, then gets all upset.

DH and I are on our knees with lack of sleep the last couple of nights as a result. Any tips as to how to speed recovery from cold and/or make things easier for him while he's snuffly would be much appreciated.

If you can slightly raise the head end of the cot, that can aid breathing. (couple of books under the top legs, just make sure it's secure)

Make sure the room isn't too stuffy.

Saline drops in the nose can really help, and get one of those nasal aspirators. Takes a bit of practice but they can really help clear their noses.

Thought of a couple more - have a bath with him - the warm air may help clear his nose.

Also, hold him upright as much as possible before a feed, again will help clear it.

Imovethestars - it's actually a lot easier to raise the end of the mattress by putting a towel or pillow under the mattress

When DD was like this at 2 weeks old the 2 things that helped were

1. Wrapping her up warmly and going outside for a couple of minutes - this helped clear her nose

1. DH having a steaming hot bath and me sitting in there with DD in the steam.

Together these helped clear her nose enough so she could feed properly and then have a good sleep

Good luck

yeah, i tried that - made the mattress bendy. We actually just put a plank of wood under the top legs. Kept stubbing my toe on it though

Oh thanks ever so much everyone. We have raised the head of the moses basket stand slightly, might do it a bit more actually - thinking about it the books we've used are only thin.

He was a bit better for his feed just after he went out for a walk with DH earlier, so the fresh air definitely seems to help as well.

I might have a warm bath with him later to see if that helps, or maybe try the steam option. We could also go outside into the garden for a couple of minutes before his last feed as well.

So frustrating to see him all distressed, and from our point of view frustrating as well, as he was doing so well with his night feeds, either 2am and 6am or 1am and 4/5am each night, which was great, especially as DH and I are able to take turns as he is bottlefed. We were tired but not horrendously until a couple of days ago! Now we are staggering about like zombies - not ideal with a 2yo to look after as well!

Flowery, congratulations on the birth of your son.

I've tried all of the suggestions here and they all work, but another suggestion would be to put a bowl of water or a damp towel on the radiator in the bedroom. When DS1 had a cold at the same age I put his carry cot in his cot and raised the carry cot instead.

saline drops just before a feed are a good idea - he'll get a decent feed and then hopefully sleep

be warned though - I found that we needed to give a decent squirt of the saline - DS2 would scream but hey presto! snot came out! wiped it up and started the feed

Calpol dose a Saline Nasal Spray which squirts up much easier than normal saline drops - I always seem to miss with those. I have found it works wonders with my DD who is 3 months.

really can't recommend the saline drops strongly enough. it's salt water, but it works wonders - esp coupled with a nasal aspirator, although not essential.

Have DC in the same room as the boiling kettle also helps (but please be careful)

x

you have sympathies, DS was just the same at that age. x

Ooh thanks all - thanks llareggub for congrats as well

Was too late to go out and buy saline drops or anything yesterday but given the rave reviews on this thread I might get DH to stop off somewhere and get some tonight if he can.

News is that last night was better. We raised the head of the moses basket quite a lot, and he fed better and also slept better. Woke up for feeds at 1.30 and 5.30, and mostly slept in between, so a big improvement. This morning when he woke at 7ish he was in quite a bit of distress with nose all snotty, so I had a hot shower while DH jigged him up and down in the bathroom, which seemed to help. He's been better the rest of the day, sleeping a lot and feeding well, so much better all round.

Thanks all for tips, and sympathy!