Treating Cold In Infants
The immune systems of the babies are weak and so they are prone to illnesses, especially common cold. There are more than 200 viruses which cause cold in children. Exposure to the damp climate, cold, dry winter, may trigger these viral infections in children.
Cold causes irritating problems like running nose, mild fever, ear infections, bronchitis, headaches, sneezing, sore throat etc. The low-grade fever caused by cold becomes normal with in a day or two.
Most colds do not require any treatment or antibiotics. It is very important to prevent the babies from nose block, as it will make them unable to breath and suck. A variety of saline nasal drops available in the market which are perfectly safe and makes them comfortable to breathe. They do not provide any side effects.
Steam Inhalation turns the respiratory secretions watery which makes that to drain more easily. The steam vaporizers available in the market are safe and easy to use. Vaporubs are not recommended as it may cause rash and burning sensations in the children. Frequent blowing also help the baby breathe and sleep more easily.
Provide the baby plenty of rest. The supplements of vitamin C, A and E will help them to improve the immune system. Giving them plenty of fluids will help to wash off the toxins from the body.
If the child has persistent thick , yellow or green colored discharge, along with fever, antibiotics may be required. It is important to seek medical attention if there is acute ear ache, bronchitis, dull refusing feeds, little urination and temperature more than 100 degrees.
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PREVENTION
To reduce your baby’s risk of getting a cold:
*Breastfeed your baby if possible, as long as possible. Breast milk provides your baby with antibodies, which are important for fighting infection and strengthening baby’s immune system.
*Wash your hands. Make sure everyone in the household washes their hands frequently. If small children are unable to wash their own hands, do it for them. Use plenty of soap and water, and dry thoroughly to prevent chapping.
*Avoid second-hand smoke, which can increase susceptibility to illness, aggravate cold symptoms, and damage lungs.
*Avoid contact with people who are sick, and wash hands thoroughly after any exposure.
To reduce your baby’s risk of getting a cold:
*Breastfeed your baby if possible, as long as possible. Breast milk provides your baby with antibodies, which are important for fighting infection and strengthening baby’s immune system.
*Wash your hands. Make sure everyone in the household washes their hands frequently. If small children are unable to wash their own hands, do it for them. Use plenty of soap and water, and dry thoroughly to prevent chapping.
*Avoid second-hand smoke, which can increase susceptibility to illness, aggravate cold symptoms, and damage lungs.
*Avoid contact with people who are sick, and wash hands thoroughly after any exposure.
COLD IN AN INFANT:
Infants are very weak and tender. Even a little change in the season can cause several problems in their health. In their first year, they are especially very prone to cough and cold. In general, they are affected by viral infections in these changing seasons. In children, cold causes a lot of irritation, as it leads to the swelling of the membranes of nose and their respiratory passages. Even their breathing passages get filled with mucus. The blockage caused in their respiratory canal, due to mucus, causes coughing, runny nose, wheezing and difficulty in breathing. Read on to know about the reasons for infant cold as well as its instant remedy.
Symptoms of Cold in Infant
* Running nose or congestion in nasal passages
* Breathlessness
* Mucus discharge from nose and ears
* Coughing and sneezing frequently
* Watery eyes, accompanied with a low-grade fever
* Excessive weeping
Symptoms When Cold is Getting Serious
* Fever, with temperature being more than 100o
* Diaper wetting more than normal
* Yellow eye discharge and ear pain
* Greenish yellow discharge from nose and ear, for longer than two weeks
* Coughing and sneezing for more than one week
* Cough accompanied with blood
* Cough causing breathlessness and the blue color appearance of mouth and lips
Reasons For Cold in Infants
* Exposure to extreme weather change
* Cold in mother can also affect an infant who is on breast milk.
* Viral infection
* Passive smoking
* Allergy
Methods To Save Your Infant From Cold & Cough
* Allow least exposure to the extreme weather conditions.
* Do not take him/her outside or inside AC again and again. Let them remain in a constant temperature.
* If you are a breast feeding mother, avoid eating very cold things which may cause you cold.
* Give a regular oil massage to your infant. It enhances immunity.
* Feed her with Luke warm milk if you are not breastfeeding or if your baby is more than three years old, give him/her some hot beverages regularly in winter.
* Avoid bathing him/her on irregular times.
Home Remedies For Infant Cold
* Give steam
* Increase fluids in diet
* Use heating pads or hot water bottle
* Liquefy saffron in mother's milk and apply to forehead and nose, avoiding the nostrils
* Use a combination of turmeric, ginger, pepper, and honey
Other Remedies
* Nasal aspirator with saline nasal spray.
* Cough syrup recommended by doctor
Infants are very weak and tender. Even a little change in the season can cause several problems in their health. In their first year, they are especially very prone to cough and cold. In general, they are affected by viral infections in these changing seasons. In children, cold causes a lot of irritation, as it leads to the swelling of the membranes of nose and their respiratory passages. Even their breathing passages get filled with mucus. The blockage caused in their respiratory canal, due to mucus, causes coughing, runny nose, wheezing and difficulty in breathing. Read on to know about the reasons for infant cold as well as its instant remedy.
Symptoms of Cold in Infant
* Running nose or congestion in nasal passages
* Breathlessness
* Mucus discharge from nose and ears
* Coughing and sneezing frequently
* Watery eyes, accompanied with a low-grade fever
* Excessive weeping
Symptoms When Cold is Getting Serious
* Fever, with temperature being more than 100o
* Diaper wetting more than normal
* Yellow eye discharge and ear pain
* Greenish yellow discharge from nose and ear, for longer than two weeks
* Coughing and sneezing for more than one week
* Cough accompanied with blood
* Cough causing breathlessness and the blue color appearance of mouth and lips
Reasons For Cold in Infants
* Exposure to extreme weather change
* Cold in mother can also affect an infant who is on breast milk.
* Viral infection
* Passive smoking
* Allergy
Methods To Save Your Infant From Cold & Cough
* Allow least exposure to the extreme weather conditions.
* Do not take him/her outside or inside AC again and again. Let them remain in a constant temperature.
* If you are a breast feeding mother, avoid eating very cold things which may cause you cold.
* Give a regular oil massage to your infant. It enhances immunity.
* Feed her with Luke warm milk if you are not breastfeeding or if your baby is more than three years old, give him/her some hot beverages regularly in winter.
* Avoid bathing him/her on irregular times.
Home Remedies For Infant Cold
* Give steam
* Increase fluids in diet
* Use heating pads or hot water bottle
* Liquefy saffron in mother's milk and apply to forehead and nose, avoiding the nostrils
* Use a combination of turmeric, ginger, pepper, and honey
Other Remedies
* Nasal aspirator with saline nasal spray.
* Cough syrup recommended by doctor
Viruses are responsible for causing colds. Infected people spread the viruses when they sneeze or cough nearby healthy people. The virus gets into the nose and throat where it multiplies.
What Are The Symptoms?
When your baby has a cold, there will be a number of symptoms. He will be sneezing and have a runny nose. He may have a sore throat and it may be difficult for him to swallow. His glands may become swollen.
He may not feel like eating much and he could become irritable. A cough may develop. He may get a slight fever or have a body temperature of 101 to 102 degrees Fahrenheit.
When to Seek Medical Advice
If your baby is three months old or less and has cold like symptoms, you should contact a pediatrician immediately. Cold like symptoms in a baby three months old or less are misleading and could lead to a serious ailment.
On the other hand, if your child is more than three months old you should contact a doctor if you notice that he is breathing loudly and his nostrils expand out with each breath. His nails or lips are becoming blue. His mucus is thick, runny and green. He has a cough that hasn't gone a way for more than a week. His ears ache. His temperature is more than 102 degrees Fahrenheit. He has become more drowsy or grouchy.
How to Care For Your Baby
Medical experts tell us there is no cure for the common cold. However, there are ways to alleviate the miserable symptoms your baby undergoes.
Make sure he gets plenty of rest and extra fluids. If he has a fever, give him acetaminophen or if he's older that six months he may take ibuprofen (but don't give it to your baby if he is dehydrated or continuously vomiting).
If your child has a cough and is under three years old, don't give him a cough suppressing medicine unless it was prescribed by a pediatrician. Coughing rids the lower respiratory tract of mucus.
If your baby has nasal congestion, you can use a rubber suction bulb to draw out the mucus from his nostrils. If the mucus is too thick, you can apply saline nose drops to soften the mucus before extracting with the bulb. A humidifier can also be used in the baby's room to help liquefy the nasal secretions.
Concluding Thoughts
The best way for your baby to avoid a cold is to not have him near people who are infected. But if your baby gets a cold, the best thing you can do is make it comfortable for him. Soon his cold symptoms will disappear and he'll be back to health, that is, until the next episode. But by now you'll be ready for that, won't you?
What Are The Symptoms?
When your baby has a cold, there will be a number of symptoms. He will be sneezing and have a runny nose. He may have a sore throat and it may be difficult for him to swallow. His glands may become swollen.
He may not feel like eating much and he could become irritable. A cough may develop. He may get a slight fever or have a body temperature of 101 to 102 degrees Fahrenheit.
When to Seek Medical Advice
If your baby is three months old or less and has cold like symptoms, you should contact a pediatrician immediately. Cold like symptoms in a baby three months old or less are misleading and could lead to a serious ailment.
On the other hand, if your child is more than three months old you should contact a doctor if you notice that he is breathing loudly and his nostrils expand out with each breath. His nails or lips are becoming blue. His mucus is thick, runny and green. He has a cough that hasn't gone a way for more than a week. His ears ache. His temperature is more than 102 degrees Fahrenheit. He has become more drowsy or grouchy.
How to Care For Your Baby
Medical experts tell us there is no cure for the common cold. However, there are ways to alleviate the miserable symptoms your baby undergoes.
Make sure he gets plenty of rest and extra fluids. If he has a fever, give him acetaminophen or if he's older that six months he may take ibuprofen (but don't give it to your baby if he is dehydrated or continuously vomiting).
If your child has a cough and is under three years old, don't give him a cough suppressing medicine unless it was prescribed by a pediatrician. Coughing rids the lower respiratory tract of mucus.
If your baby has nasal congestion, you can use a rubber suction bulb to draw out the mucus from his nostrils. If the mucus is too thick, you can apply saline nose drops to soften the mucus before extracting with the bulb. A humidifier can also be used in the baby's room to help liquefy the nasal secretions.
Concluding Thoughts
The best way for your baby to avoid a cold is to not have him near people who are infected. But if your baby gets a cold, the best thing you can do is make it comfortable for him. Soon his cold symptoms will disappear and he'll be back to health, that is, until the next episode. But by now you'll be ready for that, won't you?
One reason that babies get a lot of colds is that their immune systems are immature, making them more vulnerable to illness. Also, your child can develop immunity to only one of the more than 200 different viruses that cause the common cold at a time. Think of all the colds you've had in your lifetime. Your baby would have to get all of those — and more — to be immune to all cold viruses.
As your baby grows, he's likely to be exploring a lot and touching (and licking!) everything, so it's easy for him to pick up a cold virus on his hands. Then all he has to do is put his fingers in his mouth or nose or rub his eyes, and the virus will get a chance to set up shop.
Your baby may get sick more often during the fall and winter months because cold air and indoor heating dry out his nasal membranes, making it easier for a cold virus to get a foothold there. He also spends more time during cold weather cooped up indoors, where viruses can spread more easily from one person to another.
Most children average between six and ten colds per year. In families with children in daycare or school, the number of colds can reach 12 per year! (The average adult gets two to four colds annually.)
As your baby grows, he's likely to be exploring a lot and touching (and licking!) everything, so it's easy for him to pick up a cold virus on his hands. Then all he has to do is put his fingers in his mouth or nose or rub his eyes, and the virus will get a chance to set up shop.
Your baby may get sick more often during the fall and winter months because cold air and indoor heating dry out his nasal membranes, making it easier for a cold virus to get a foothold there. He also spends more time during cold weather cooped up indoors, where viruses can spread more easily from one person to another.
Most children average between six and ten colds per year. In families with children in daycare or school, the number of colds can reach 12 per year! (The average adult gets two to four colds annually.)
Treatment for cold in infants and children:
1. Saline drops: Saline drops may help relieve congestion in infants. Saline drops makes it easier to breathe and allowing the baby to nurse or taking the bottle more comfortably. Saline gel is good for dry noses. Saline drops is one of the best remedy for colds in infants.
2. Breast milk: If you are b reastfeeding, continue to breastfeed, because it provides important antibodies and helps for fighting infection and strengthening your child's immune system.
3. Honey: Hot water drink mixed with honey is very soothing for excessive coughs and sneezing. Give a half teaspoon for children age 2 to 5, 1 teaspoon children 6 to 11 and 2 teaspoons children 12 and older. Never give honey for children under 1 year of age because of the risk of infant botulism.
4. Steaming: You can turn the hot water in the shower and sit with the baby ( over 6 months) for 10 minutes. Make sure the bathroom door is closed to keep the steam coming. After this process, use a nasal bulb syringe to suction secretions from baby's mouth.
Cool mist vaporizer to cure cold
5. Humidifier: Use a humidifier or a cool mist vaporizer to increase mositure in your baby's bedroom. Cool mist humidifier helps to cure your baby's cold and congestion. Change the water everyday and clean according to the manual instructions.
6. Salt water: You can also try 8 ounce of warm water mixed with half teaspoon of salt to help relieve sore throat.
7. Fluids: Give plenty of fluids to your baby to help thin secretions and prevent dehydrations. Fluids can help wash out the toxins from the body. It also helps to relieve congestion. You can also give lime juice to older children. Vitamin c rich lime juice reduces the duration of your's child's illnes.
8. Sleep and rest: Taking plenty of sleep will allow your body to fight the illness more efficiently. Also it can shorten the time period of your child's cold.
9. Soups: Garlic soup is good to reduce the severity of cold. You can make garlic soup by boiling 2 cloves of garlic in half cup of water. After it cools, you can give this to your child.
10.Others: Do not give over the counter medicines under 6 years of age unless prescribed by your doctor.
Transmission of cold: Cold can be easily transmitted from preson to person either by direct contact or contact with virus in the environment.
Prevention of cold in babies and children:
* Wash your hands frequently and make sure everyone in your home washes their hands frequetly.
* Wash hands after contact with sick people.
1. Saline drops: Saline drops may help relieve congestion in infants. Saline drops makes it easier to breathe and allowing the baby to nurse or taking the bottle more comfortably. Saline gel is good for dry noses. Saline drops is one of the best remedy for colds in infants.
2. Breast milk: If you are b reastfeeding, continue to breastfeed, because it provides important antibodies and helps for fighting infection and strengthening your child's immune system.
3. Honey: Hot water drink mixed with honey is very soothing for excessive coughs and sneezing. Give a half teaspoon for children age 2 to 5, 1 teaspoon children 6 to 11 and 2 teaspoons children 12 and older. Never give honey for children under 1 year of age because of the risk of infant botulism.
4. Steaming: You can turn the hot water in the shower and sit with the baby ( over 6 months) for 10 minutes. Make sure the bathroom door is closed to keep the steam coming. After this process, use a nasal bulb syringe to suction secretions from baby's mouth.
Cool mist vaporizer to cure cold
5. Humidifier: Use a humidifier or a cool mist vaporizer to increase mositure in your baby's bedroom. Cool mist humidifier helps to cure your baby's cold and congestion. Change the water everyday and clean according to the manual instructions.
6. Salt water: You can also try 8 ounce of warm water mixed with half teaspoon of salt to help relieve sore throat.
7. Fluids: Give plenty of fluids to your baby to help thin secretions and prevent dehydrations. Fluids can help wash out the toxins from the body. It also helps to relieve congestion. You can also give lime juice to older children. Vitamin c rich lime juice reduces the duration of your's child's illnes.
8. Sleep and rest: Taking plenty of sleep will allow your body to fight the illness more efficiently. Also it can shorten the time period of your child's cold.
9. Soups: Garlic soup is good to reduce the severity of cold. You can make garlic soup by boiling 2 cloves of garlic in half cup of water. After it cools, you can give this to your child.
10.Others: Do not give over the counter medicines under 6 years of age unless prescribed by your doctor.
Transmission of cold: Cold can be easily transmitted from preson to person either by direct contact or contact with virus in the environment.
Prevention of cold in babies and children:
* Wash your hands frequently and make sure everyone in your home washes their hands frequetly.
* Wash hands after contact with sick people.
Natural Cold Remedies for Toddlers
Treating Your Toddler’s Cold Symptoms Without Medicine
There are many natural ways to treat your toddler's common cold. New studies say that cold medicine may be harmful to children under 6.
With all of the latest warnings against giving toddlers cold medicine many parents are looking for alternatives to treat their child’s common cold symptom, especially since current studies show that cold medicine may or may not even be effective for toddlers. It can be heartbreaking to know that your toddler does not feel well but there are many natural alternatives to potentially dangerous cold medicine.
Use a Humidifier
A humidifier can be a wonderful tool to help clear your toddler’s stuffy nose. Turn a humidifier on while your toddler sleeps to decrease his congestion and help him sleep better. If you do not own a humidifier, turn the shower on and run the hot water for a few minutes with the bathroom door closed. Leave the bathroom fan off and let the room steam up. The steam will help relieve your toddler’s congestion without using cold medicine and can be repeated as often as needed.
A Spoonful of Honey:
Not everything that your grandmother tells you is outdated. Honey used to be given to toddlers to sooth their cold symptoms and this is one bit of advice that is still useful. It is important that you never give infants younger than one year-old honey because of the risk of botulism, but toddlers can benefit from a spoonful of honey when they are sick. Give your toddler a tablespoon of plain honey if her cold symptoms are preventing her from sleeping or enjoying her day. Honey can sooth a scratchy throat and calm a cough as well as most over the counter medication. Toddlers will much prefer the sweet taste of honey over hard to swallow cough medicine.
Increase Fluids:
Fluids can help a toddler to fight the common cold and heal more quickly. Water and juices, especially those high in vitamin C will help thin excessive mucous and sooth a sore throat. Try homemade popsicles for toddlers who are reluctant to drink fluids on their own. Freeze 100% orange juice in small paper cups and add a popsicle stick to the center before the juice has completely frozen for a healthy snack and a fun way for your toddler to enjoy important fluids.
Get Lots of Sleep:
Sleep can help improve your ability to fight off illness. When your toddler has a cold he will need lots of extra sleep. Chances are he will be a bit cranky anyway and will be more than willing to take a bit longer nap and go to bed a few minutes early. Mom and Dad could probably use some extra sleep if they can get it to be sure they have the ability to fight off the cold germs so they don’t end up sick as well.
Prevention is the Best Medicine:
The best way to treat a cold is not to get one in the first place. While that is next to impossible, you can practice a little preventative medicine to hopefully decrease the number of colds you do get throughout the year. Teach your toddler to practice good hand washing habits. Wash your toddler’s hands every time he enters your home or plays with other children. This will limit the number of outside germs that you bring into your home and result in few colds for your family.
Treating Your Toddler’s Cold Symptoms Without Medicine
There are many natural ways to treat your toddler's common cold. New studies say that cold medicine may be harmful to children under 6.
With all of the latest warnings against giving toddlers cold medicine many parents are looking for alternatives to treat their child’s common cold symptom, especially since current studies show that cold medicine may or may not even be effective for toddlers. It can be heartbreaking to know that your toddler does not feel well but there are many natural alternatives to potentially dangerous cold medicine.
Use a Humidifier
A humidifier can be a wonderful tool to help clear your toddler’s stuffy nose. Turn a humidifier on while your toddler sleeps to decrease his congestion and help him sleep better. If you do not own a humidifier, turn the shower on and run the hot water for a few minutes with the bathroom door closed. Leave the bathroom fan off and let the room steam up. The steam will help relieve your toddler’s congestion without using cold medicine and can be repeated as often as needed.
A Spoonful of Honey:
Not everything that your grandmother tells you is outdated. Honey used to be given to toddlers to sooth their cold symptoms and this is one bit of advice that is still useful. It is important that you never give infants younger than one year-old honey because of the risk of botulism, but toddlers can benefit from a spoonful of honey when they are sick. Give your toddler a tablespoon of plain honey if her cold symptoms are preventing her from sleeping or enjoying her day. Honey can sooth a scratchy throat and calm a cough as well as most over the counter medication. Toddlers will much prefer the sweet taste of honey over hard to swallow cough medicine.
Increase Fluids:
Fluids can help a toddler to fight the common cold and heal more quickly. Water and juices, especially those high in vitamin C will help thin excessive mucous and sooth a sore throat. Try homemade popsicles for toddlers who are reluctant to drink fluids on their own. Freeze 100% orange juice in small paper cups and add a popsicle stick to the center before the juice has completely frozen for a healthy snack and a fun way for your toddler to enjoy important fluids.
Get Lots of Sleep:
Sleep can help improve your ability to fight off illness. When your toddler has a cold he will need lots of extra sleep. Chances are he will be a bit cranky anyway and will be more than willing to take a bit longer nap and go to bed a few minutes early. Mom and Dad could probably use some extra sleep if they can get it to be sure they have the ability to fight off the cold germs so they don’t end up sick as well.
Prevention is the Best Medicine:
The best way to treat a cold is not to get one in the first place. While that is next to impossible, you can practice a little preventative medicine to hopefully decrease the number of colds you do get throughout the year. Teach your toddler to practice good hand washing habits. Wash your toddler’s hands every time he enters your home or plays with other children. This will limit the number of outside germs that you bring into your home and result in few colds for your family.
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neetu jain
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Wednesday, 24 November 2010 18:21
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Tuesday, 30 November -0001 00:00
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