Newborn cold consequences worried

[louiset89]

Hi, i need some reassurance. I have a month old son who has a bad cold. We saw our gp who told us to use a nasale aspirator and saline spray to help clear his nose, which we've been doing. He doesnt have a fever and so he said there wasn't much else for him to do cos he cant have any medicine. I'm just getting very anxious that the times that he has been struggling to breathe will have given him brain damage or something from not getting enough oxygen. He's not gone blue or anything like that but there have been plenty of times when he's struggled for breathe as his nose has been blocked and it's not always been possible to clear it immediately. And there have been times when no matter how hard wev tried we can't clear his nose completely so maybe he's not had enough oxygen in general? I haven't wanted to ask the doctor this as I know it sounds crazy. Anyone's baby had a cold so young n been ok? Thank you xxx

Hi I had the same my son is now 3 years old he had nasty cold at 2 weeks old. It's so hard and scary and stressful. But in reality he will be ok. Make sure he's feeding most important if he doesn't fees he will get dehydrated. Check the soft spot it's so tiering though. X

He will be fine. Keep doing as your doctor advised. If he can't breathe through his nose, he'll breathe through his mouth, don't worry.

You might like to try Olbas oil on a tissue near his cot at night, pretty sure that's ok at this age.

Thank you both. Apparently newborn babies can't breathe through their mouths tho that's what's stressing me. I could go back to the gp but I think they'll just say the same thing to me. I'll try olbas too

I used to be so scared when my son couldn't breath from blocked nose . I don't about not breathing through mouths though. I would go to the health vistor if you are worried she can reassure you. They often have other ideas to help to. I would only go back to the gp if things get worse cause there really is not much they can do. And then you are just taking little one around more germs. It's hard work though . X

Apparently newborn babies can't breathe through their mouths
Where did you hear that op? my 4 week old is asleep on me now mouth breathing, they definitely can. If their noses are blocked the mouth will open, I know it's unpleasant when it looks like they are struggling though!

Oh my mam told me that. i just googled it and some of the results say one thing ad some say another! Well I hope you're right. That would make me feel abit better.

All babies can breathe through their mouths. It was thought they couldn't for a while because of how their mouths are formed, but there was a study done (in the 80s) where they literally held babies noses and monitored them and they all opened their mouths and breathed.

They're not great at it, but a baby won't suffocate just because their nose is blocked.

Can link to the study if you want (it's not very interesting).

That's reassuring thank you. It's so scary isn't it. He's so small