Snuffles, colds & coughs

A normal baby cold

Runny or blocked nose, sneezing, mild cough, slightly off feeds, clingy, lasting up to about two weeks (the cough lingers longest). Babies breathe mostly through the nose, so congestion sounds much more dramatic than it is. Snorty is not the same as sick. Watch the work of breathing and the feeding, not the sound effects.

Home care that actually helps

• Saline drops or spray into the nose, a minute’s wait, then a nasal aspirator. Best done 10 to 15 minutes before feeds so baby can eat and breathe at the same time.
• Smaller, more frequent feeds count as medicine here. Hydration is the main job.
• Humidity: a cool-mist humidifier, or ten steamy minutes in the bathroom (with you, never over hot water) to loosen the gunk.
• Sleep: keep baby on their back on a flat mattress as always. No propping, no pillows, no elevating the crib, even when congested.
• What NOT to use at this age: no cold or cough medicines, no decongestant drops, no menthol rubs, no honey (dangerous under 1 year), nothing herbal without a doctor’s okay.

Bronchiolitis: the one to know in winter

RSV and friends can turn a normal-looking cold into bronchiolitis, usually on days 3 to 5, with a wet cough, wheezy fast breathing, and hard feeding. Most cases stay mild and pass in about two weeks, but very young babies can need hospital support with feeding or oxygen. That is exactly what the red box below is watching for. Protect the airspace: no smoking anywhere near baby, wash hands after being out, and keep visibly sick visitors (and their kisses) at a friendly distance.