9 week old with a cold

[Runandbecome]

Looking for both advice and reassurance for first time mum!

My 9 week old DS had been an ok sleeper - not brilliant, but had recently started to self settle to sleep in his basket around 8/830pm, go for his longest stretch of 5-6 hours, then only need 1 other feed in the night. He has c. 3-4 hours of naps (long lunchtime one and short morning and afternoon ones) - I don't wake him, just let him sleep.

We've both caught a cold and his nose is stuffy esp. at night. He only now goes for 3-4 hours at night and is poor at self settling. I feed him for c. 5-10 mins. Happy to keep feeding him frequently given he's not well but wondered if anyone's got any experience of this, any tips and hoping it will get better once the cold passes! I've just tried raising his basket mattress with a t-shirt under it so will see if that helps with his breathing.

Thanks in advance!

I can't help as DD is 15 wk with her first cold and struggling too ( and always been bad sleeper/frequent feeder) so sadly no golden advice to share but a hand to hold. Could you put him in a steamy bathroom for the next feed - it's meant to help. You can use Infant Olbas oil from 3 months but you might feel a single drop in a tissue in the room is low risk enough at 9 weeks?

Hope he's well soon, enjoy the additional cuddles in the meantime

Hi there, I think you are doing the right thing with extra feeds and raising mattress. You could also try humidifying the air a little with a saucer of water on the radiator. As young babies are nose breathers they tend to struggle more with dry air.

It is also possible to get saline nasal drops in chemist which makes nose mucus ( snot) more liquid and easier for them to sneeze out.

HTH

Oh, if you're breastfeeding then breast milk is better than saline drops if she's snotty. Sorry, forgot that one x

Yes am breastfeeding. The raised mattress seemed to help in getting him off to sleep after the last feed. Will try the humidifying too. Our room is a bit cool too even with the radiator on so that probably isn't helping.

Hope you DD gets better soon too Pudding!