Baby cold

[FTM2022x]

I currently have a cold & tonsillitis and my baby is 4 months old. I’m terrified of her getting a cold and ending up in hospital.
Looking for reassurance that she’ll probably be ok even if she does catch it.

Just to try and reassure you - basically my DD is 2.5 months and ended up in hospital a few weeks back due to an infection.

When we got to hospital they wasn't sure what was causing it, and they said that if it's viral (such as a cold) then they will stop antibiotics and she will need to fight it herself. (unfortunately it was a UTI so needed antibiotics.)

She now has a slight sniffle that she caught from my husband, but she's been fine! We have a aspirator that sucks out the snot as she gets bunged up (gross I know!) and she's not got a temp or anything.

Sorry went off track there - but basically the doctor told me there's nothing a hospital will do if she gets a cold! It will strengthen her immune system! So don't worry too much! But of course if she does get it, keep an eye on here and seek help if you feel she needs it! But it's that time of year now, and they said there's lots going round! They kept reassuringgn me that sometimes it just can't be helped, and they'll catch the odd cold!

Hope that helps!

Second (and beyond) children who have older siblings in nursery/school get sick all. the. time. My poor 12 week old has had 4 colds so far poor thing! By contrast his older sister didn't get her first cold until she was 5 months old. Illness and germs are what build a child's immune system. While of course some bugs are worse than others and I can't guarantee your child will be ok, it's far more likely your child will cope just fine than not. Average baby gets 7 colds in their first year.

I find it helps to be prepared with a supply of baby paracetamol, nurofen, baby nasal saline drops or spray, a nasal aspirator (I prefer the NoseFrida) and infant thermometer. Those have been the best tools to have on hand when my kids get sick.

If he has a high or prolonged fever, wheezing or any other concerning symptoms, the NHS is there.

So don't worry too much -- babies get sick sometimes and there are plenty of resources to help you get through it.