By far the best way to soothe your sick baby is to give them lots of love and attention. Hold them and engage in quiet play, give them an infant massage, or read and sing to them. If you are breastfeeding, they may want to nurse more, which will reassure and comfort them.
How do you comfort a baby with a cold?
To make your baby as comfortable as possible, try some of these suggestions:
- Offer plenty of fluids. Liquids are important to avoid dehydration. …
- Suction your baby’s nose. Keep your baby’s nasal passages clear with a rubber-bulb syringe. …
- Try nasal saline drops. …
- Moisten the air.
Should you let a sick baby sleep?
Like I mentioned above, sleep is vital for recovery during times of sickness. And it’s likely that your baby will sleep more than normal when they are sick. It’s okay to let them sleep a bit longer than they normally would.
Should I bathe my baby with a cold?
Giving a lukewarm bath (not a cold-water bath) to a sick baby can help the body regulate temperature back to a more normal level. Infant acetaminophen and ibuprofen can also help bring down a temperate. Make sure to check the product instruction, and talk to your doctor if you plan to use over-the-counter medications.
How long do baby colds last?
Most colds last seven to 10 days. As long as your child is comfortable and does not have prolonged fever or respiratory difficulties, hang in there and things will get better. Just provide supportive care to your child. Visit a health care professional if you have further concerns.
Why do babies want to be held when sick?
Meccariello says holding a sick baby reduces pain and provides warmth, and the cuddler encourages “self-soothing” — children’s ability to comfort themselves when they aren’t being held.
Do babies get clingy when sick?
Expect clinginess
Extra cuddles may be the unexpected sweet side of your babe’s first illness—but having her attached to you all day long quickly becomes exhausting.
Can babies suffocate from congestion?
A baby’s nose, unlike an adult’s, doesn’t have cartilage. So when that nose is pressed against an object, like a stuffed animal, couch cushions or even a parent’s arm while sleeping in bed, it can flatten easily. With the opening to its nostrils blocked, the baby can’t breathe and suffocates.
What to do when your baby has a cold and won’t sleep?
A saline spray and nasal aspirator can help stuffy noses breathe better at night. And a humidifier can ensure the air in the nursery stays moist. Once the cold has bid your baby adieu, that’s when it’s time to focus on getting sleep on track again.
How can I help my baby sleep better with a cold?
Make Sleep Easier
Try these tips: Use a humidifier or cool-mist vaporizer. They add needed moisture to the air in their bedroom. That helps keep their nasal passages moist, and reduces nighttime coughing and stuffiness.