Natural Remedies For Baby Colds

Babies get sick a lot, especially during their first year. Most babies have experienced colds as many as seven times during their first year. Our little angels being sick isn't only inconvenient to them, but to us parents as well. Aside from a lot of sleepless nights, you also feel uneasiness just knowing your baby is sick. 

Here are some ways on how to help your baby, since over the counter medicine (OTC medicine) isn’t recommended for babies under two, a good home and natural remedies that work are the game changers. 

Give Them Plenty Of Fluids

Water Therapy is very prevalent in adults, we usually do it when we feel under the weather. Surprisingly, this is very effective as well. This can work in babies, too. 

Letting them drink a lot of fluids will help in thinning the mucus and also with the stuffy nose. Aside from that, giving them plenty of fluids will also prevent them from dehydration. 

Offer your babies breastmilk or formula often, however, avoid giving them juices and other high in sugar drinks. You will know if they’re drinking enough if their urine is in light color, so if it’s not, give them more. 

Suction The Snot

Babies are still too young to blow their noses yet, so when they’re stuffed they will be in need of your help. 

A bulb syringe will be your knight in shining armor, it can help suction and clear the mucus. 

To use it, squeeze the bulb and then put about a quarter to a half inch of the syringe into the nostril. You may then let go of the bulb, slowly, to create a suction. Take out the syringe and squeeze the bulb again to transfer the mucus to a tissue paper. Make sure to wash the syringe with soap and water after using it. 

There is also an electric version of the bulb syringe called the nasal aspirator.

Use Saline Drops

Saline drops can help loosen the thick mucus that’s clogging the nose of your baby and eventually ease the congestion. You can use an OTC Saline Drop or you can make your own. 

How to make your own saline nasal drops? Stir a half teaspoon of table salt into a cup of warm water. 

Raise The Head Of Their Bed

Having colds may cause your baby not to sleep well at night. In order to help them sleep better, raise the head of their bed. This will help drain their mucus so they can breathe easier by putting gravity on their side. 

Remember not to use a pillow while doing this because pillows raise the chance of suffocation or Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. You can either use a few books or roll a towel under the mattress to lift one side up a few inches. 

Use A Humidifier

Moisture in the air can help with stuffiness. However, if you want to do this, make sure to use a cool-mist humidifier to keep your baby safe because the steam and hot water can lead to burns.

Also, make sure to change the water daily and clean it accordingly in order to keep the molds and bacteria from growing inside the humidifier. 

Encourage Rest

A good sleep is the key to a healthy immune system. It can help your baby fight off the cold virus. By doing all the tips aforementioned above, your baby may be able to sleep well not only at night, but also during the day. 

Don’t forget to give them lots of cuddles before they doze off, a mother’s touch can help ease the discomfort and can make them feel more relaxed. 

Lukewarm Sponge Bath

A Lukewarm sponge bath can help bring down the temperature of your baby a few degrees if they are feverish. 

You can do this by filling their own bathtub with about an inch or two of warm water, then use a sponge or a cloth to wipe them down. 

When To Call Your Pediatrician

If your baby is still 3 months or younger and has a rectal temperature of 38℃ (100.4℉) or higher and if they are not drinking well and fussy. 

If they are older, you can call a Doctor if they have trouble breathing and their ears hurt. Also if their fever is above 38℃ (100.4℉) for more than three days and the mucus is still there after 10 to 14 days. 

Love + miracles,