6 day old newborn with a cold?

[Nobaddays]

Hello

My poor DD is just 6 days old and has what I think/hope is just a cold. She has a snotty nose but is still feeding and still has wet nappies. She’s not distressed and seems alert when awake.

I’ve had her in a sleep suit and muslin swaddle. I took her temp after she woke up and it was 37.5. I took her temp again after her nappy cha he and it was 36.8 which is normal but I called up the maternity line for advice and was told they can’t advise over the phone and I would have to take her to A&E for an assessment. All I want to know is if there is anything safe I can do to relieve her symptoms given she is so young!

The advice to take her to A&E seems a little OTT to me but I don’t know if maybe I should? She’s clearly quite snotty as I can hear her snorting. I was thinking of getting a nose sucking tube and nasal water spray from the chemist. I might also use a bit of snuffle babe drops in a misting thingy to see if that helps her congestion.

I would appreciate any views about this. Thanks

Did you have a C-section? DD was snotty but my midwife said hers wasn't proper snot, it was gunk in her tubes coming out as the head squeezing in the birth canal would have cleared it more and she didn't have that, only lasted a week then done. If her temp is normal and she seems alert and is feeding and weeing, I wouldn't worry. You will obviously! but I don't think you need to. If her temp goes up or she seems overly cranky or lethargic, then A&E. Congratulations on your new baby.

Oh and new babies can be like farmyard animals with their symphonic noises...

My second child had a bona fide cold at a few days old courtesy of his big brother, so it can happen. The reason they’re saying a&e is because a temperature is an emergency in a baby, and in a baby under 3 months 38C is the cue to seek medical advice, often via a&e. One of my children developed a uti at a fortnight old and spent a week on IV abx

Thanks @BillyRaywasapreachersson I didn’t have a c-section so don’t think it’s that, I think she must have caught something off her older brother as he’s had a snotty nose all week and she’s been totally fine breathing wise up until today. I’ve sent DH out to the chemist so hopefully we can use a snot sucker to help her breathe a bit easier.

I’m def keeping an eye on her overnight. Fingers crossed the cold goes soon!

Hi, my DD had a full on cold at 14 days you have my sympathy. We did take her to A&E which they said was 100% the right thing to do as you need to be careful it doesn't end up as bronchilitis which can be serious for such tiny babies. So don't think you're overreacting by taking yours in.

They sent us away with a recommendation to get a snot sucker thing and the snuffle babe spray and that did sort us out till it was over.

@Thisusedtobeaniceneighbourhood thanks for this, must definitely be what her big brother has. Your poor DS! I’m hoping her temp stays normal and it’s just snot but I’m going to keep an eye on her temperature. Out of interest did you use a snot sucker thingy on your DS when he was a few days old?

Thanks @CorpusCallosum that’s really helpful. Glad your DD got better.

Yep my DS had a cold at 5 days old courtesy of his big sister. I used the snot sucker (battery powered Braun one) and some saline drops. He was fine within a few days. I didn’t think 37.5 was even really a fever? I’ve always ignored anything under 38 but maybe that’s not correct! I wouldn’t personally go to A&E but with such a young baby you’re never overreacting so don’t hesitate to if you think it’s in any way necessary.

I had a cold when I gave birth to my DD so she obviously caught it from me in the first few days.

I was breastfeeding which helped the most really.

Other than that I raised one end of her cot and had some snuffle baby in the room

Yes, snot sucker from birth with both children. But I have to say, by far the most effective (and also utterly revolting) method is to bypass the snot sucker and just suck the snot directly. Had to do it once out of sheer desperation in the middle of the night. One of the most disgusting things I’ve ever done. But it does work!