11 month old has a cold - advice please

[Pinktruffle]

My LO has recently started nursery and has picked up a really bad cold, its steadily been getting worse from Wednesday when it was just a little cough. His nose is now blocked and he is really congested. Because his nose is blocked he is struggling to drink his milk and has only drunk 5oz today rather than his usual 16oz. He is hardly eaten anything. He has had half a packet of Ella's Kitchen smoothie, a few mouthfuls of a pouch (as I thought he would prefer something pureed), we tried to give him some solid food he refused and then had a yogurt a bit later. He is having bits of water, but not lots.

I'm worried that he's hardly had anything all day. When I changed his nappy this evening it was dry (he did a poo at 4pm and I changed him again at 7.30). Has anyone got any ideas or tips of how I can get him to drink his milk etc? Am I worrying too much?

We went to Boots this morning and got everything from Olbas oil for kids to Calpol, I've tried a nose spray before milk to see if it helps but it didnt. Any other ideas?

Saline drops to soften the snot then sucker it out before bed- baby vicks on the chest and soles of the feet, raise the head of the mattress with a pillow underneath the top end. Just keep giving fluids- when my LO was ill around 10 months she pretty much went back to a whole couple of days of formula- it’s fine as long as drinking.

He is hardly drinking any formula. We has had sips of water throughout the day. If he is the same tomorrow, so I seek medical help? We've done the vapour rub on his chest and feet. Didn't put a pillow under the matress but he will likely end up in bed with us as he was yesterday by 10pm a she keeps waking because of the coughing

Calpol plug-in in his room

Snufflebabe on the soles of his feet

Would you mind him having an ice lolly? They're brilliant for getting liquid into children if they won't drink. Dry nappies then yes I would seek help.

When my DS was in hospital with a virus the paediatricians advice was if they are taking less than 50% of their usual fluid intake then you would need to seek medical attention, sorry your little one is feeling rotten it’s awful isn’t it. He may have a sore throat as well, like others have said try juice, ice lollies, melon - anything to get fluid into him! Also when my DS was in hospital although he didn’t have diarrhoea they advised to give him some dioralyte as he was drinking less but probably best to ask a doctor before you give him that xxx

Are you counting wet nappies ? Unless particularly lethargic and not drinking I wouldn’t worry too much. And yes I second lollies

Steam in bathroom, help with congestion. Few minutes twice daily.
Saline spray
Slightly elevated pillow (add some nasal drops)
Sleep on side
Vicks on soles of feet.
Speak to a pharmacist
(obviously seek medical attention first from GP or a and e or 111)

If you're worried about fluid intake, you can fill a little syringe with whatever he would normally have and just drip in small amounts regularly

Hope he is better soon

He is having less formula but probably a little more water. He has only had one dry nappy, I will keep an eye on it tomorrow and if there is another one, I'll call 111. He hasnt drunk his usual 8oz before bed, had about 5 mouthfuls so will I dont know if he will have a wet nappy overnight. It's usually fit to burst in the morning.

I will try the ice lolly. I'm happy for him to have sugary stuff as long as he is eating something. Thanks for the advice everyone.

Have you tried giving him juice in a sippy cup? Or cow's milk or even formula? Might be easier for him to sip. I probably wouldn't worry too much, just keep an eye on nappies as you say.

I've tried formula in his sippy cup and he refused it. I've tried water and juice in his sippy and he has had little bits but not a lot. He has had 4oz this morning over 2 hours so that's good. Last nights nappy was fairly dry but it's to be expected when he hasn't drunk anything. I've called the GP today, they are going to ring me back later. I'll try him on a lolly in a little bit.

A dollop of vicks in a bowl with water from the kettle left in whatever room he's in...cheaper than plug ins and can be made stronger with more if necessary. This always helped my DD at that age.

I hope he feels better soon!!

@Pinktruffle
That's good to hear. Hope you're doing okay too