Two week old DS has a cold, what would you do?

[BaileysMilkshake]

MY DS is 2 weeks old today.
In the last couple of days he has developed a cold, along with his 3 yr old sister and daddy. DS has a semi-blocked nose, which he is still able to breathe through, which is also runny at times and makes him sneeze and snort. If the gunk from his nose goes down his throat it does make him cough, although because he has been diagnosed with a floppy larynx - which I am told is harmless and quite common, it makes everything sound very hoarse, and probably much worse.

When he's sleeping you would'nt know he had the cold, his moses basket matress is propped up and so is his rocker chair. He is feeding very well - more than normal, which I am assuming is a good sign as his body is fueling itself to fight the cold. He is pooing and weeing as normal, and has no sign of a temperature. I am keeping the heating in the housedown to 18 degrees so he can breathe easier and he is wrapped up nice and snug in a fleecy blanket. Wen sleeping his breathing is not laboured, and when awake and resting it is fine too.

Although not recommended for children under 3 months I have put a single drop of olbas oil on a tissue which is tucked out of his reach on his chair or moses basket (depending where he is). And before he feeds I put a single drop in boiling water so the vapours can help unblock his nose to feed.

My DD had a cold when she was a simialr age and all I was advised to administer was saline drops - which I will be able to get tomorrow, as well as pop him to the GP just to be sure. He was at the paediatricians last Wednesday and had a full health check then so I know he was fine at that point.

Does anyone think there is anything else I could do before getting to the doctors tomorrow?

Sounds like you're doing all you can and if he's not really bothered by it I wouldn't worry. Just keep an eye on his temperature. My lo had a cold at about the same age and got over it very quickly without too much discomfort. I did exactly what you're doing.

put some wet washing in the room where he sleeps, maybe on the radiator if it's on. the humidity helps.

Thanks that's reassuring. On my post-natale thread one of the babies has bronchialitus (sp) so after reading what her poor mummy has gone through I want to be extra cautious!

i think you're doing very well! hope it clears up soon.

you are doing much more than i would have thought to do! the only suggestion i had was saline drops but u already sad you are getting some, hope it goes soon, poor litle mite

Thanks for all the encouraging support.

The one thing we had not though of was wet washing! Will dampen a towel and hang it over the radiator before bed.

I am in a similar posistion with my 4 week old. what are saline drops and what do they do?

you seem to know what to look out for,and you are doing everything you can atm.just keep a close eye on his breathing/feeding,if he starts refusing feeds or his breathing gets faster or laboured then take him straight to the doctor.

God, I've had 4 winter babies and each has had a really horrible cold within the first two weeks of birth.
I had them sleeping with me and had them propped up on pillows otherwise they couldn't breathe. With one of them it was like sleeping next to the elephant man . I think you are doing all you can, as you know there's really nothing you can give such a small baby. It's just a period to weather. but it's really good that baby is still so interested in milk and can feed ok.

Lucy, saline drops are given down the nose to help unblock them, saline is salt water soloution.

Well have been writing this a while as MW has just been - not expected, but as I really like her I dont mind. She listened to DS breathing and said it sounds like just a cold and he looks too healthy for it to be bronchiolitos (sp).

The little guzzler has also put on another oz since last being weighed which she said is also a good sign, and would not be the case if he was seriousley poorly.

After a cup of tea and a nice chat I have now been discharged!

Glad you have been reassured Baileys. When I had dd the midwife/health visitor used to get on my nerves when they popped by. Yet now here in Spain, i'd love it. You are basically dumped once you leave the hospital, I haven't seen anyone, luckily I know what i'm doing this time

Lucy it;s the same in Londaon, my IL's were here when I had a MW round just before Christmas and they could'nt believe how nice she was and how thorough she was while still chatting and generally being a nice person.

My main MW has'nt seen me since before DS was born, but I prefer the one who came out today who is actually a supervisor of MW's and I had with DD. The other one is lovely but this one has my confidence.

Just a quick update. Went to GP who thankfully sid cold had not gone to DC's chest. He has saline drops which seems tobe working well so far. Also got the go ahead to use children Olbas Oil in the room, so have some going in an oil burner as we speak. It's actually benefiting the whole house as DH and DD are also full of cold!

have got to look out for quick chest movement and dropping feeds. So far he seems to be feeding better than usual and although his chest is moving it's not the flutter we were warned of.

Fingers crossed all is well and he shakes it off!

thanks for the update, glad things havent moved onto his chest