Cold And Flu In Babies – How To Protect Your Family This Winter!
On this Page:
- What is a cold and flu in babies?
- How do babies get colds and flu?
- Know how to detect illness in babies?
- How do I prevent my baby from getting a cold or the flu?
- What to when baby gets a cold?
Winter has come, which means that cold and flu season is upon us. A change in weather coupled together with a new virus attack can make matters worse in most households, especially for babies. In this article, we discuss what to do when baby gets a cold.
If you have a baby below one year of age, this is a time of anxiety. Though babies acquire natural immunity through mother’s breast milk, there are times when they can contract a cold or the flu. Studies have shown that babies get six to eight cold attacks before their first birthday. Thus, protecting the whole family, especially cold and flu in babies is crucial.
What is a cold and flu in babies?
A cold is a viral infection that affects the upper respiratory tract that includes the nose, throat, sinus, and larynx. The primary symptoms of a cold include a runny nose, a blocked nose, scratchy throat, coughing and sneezing.
Flu or influenza, on the other hand, is a condition caused by a virus called the influenza virus. The leading symptoms of flu include high temperature, runny nose, sore throat, body pain, and tiredness.
How do babies get colds and flu?
Babies usually have had little to no contact with cold and flu viruses, therefore they have less resistance to infection. This is why babies and young children catch colds and flu much easier than adults.
Cold and flu in babies are caused when they come into direct contact with a person who is infected with the virus. Similarly, if they touch infected surfaces like the clothes used by an infected person the chances of getting a cold or flu is high.
Know how to detect illness in babies?
The best way to detect cold and flu in babies is through the symptoms as listed above.
If you feel that your baby’s temperature is high, you can use a baby thermometer to determine if they have a fever, which can indicate the flu and help you know if they need medical attention.
Different types of baby thermometers like a rectal thermometer, infrared Digital Ear thermometer, and other digital solutions are available in the market for babies. Of these different types, the award winning 4 in 1 infrared digital ear and forehead thermometer V2 is a great choice. This baby thermometer is easy to use and can read the temperature of a baby in a matter of seconds.
It is lightweight and compact, and hence you can carry it with you even while travelling. The thermometer functions with one-touch operation and automatically shuts off after 30 seconds. Thus, you need not have to worry about battery wastage. In addition to this, the thermometer can read up to 32 previous temperature recordings for your easy reference.
How do I prevent my baby from getting sick?
- Wash your hands: Washing your hands regularly and keeping it clean prevents the flu and cold virus from spreading infection. Make sure that you and all family members wash hand regularly. Washing hands should be made compulsory before and after taking meals, after sneezing and coughing and as soon as you come home from work or school. If you are travelling or do not have access to hand wash, you can use a hand sanitiser instead.
- Disinfect surfaces: If there is a sick person in the house, the chances are high that all surfaces that he/she touches will be infested. Thus, disinfect all surfaces especially the kitchen counter, dining table, laptop and any other common areas with a disinfectant. You can use a solution made of white vinegar and water for cleaning surfaces.
- Avoid exposure: Do not take the baby to crowded and congested places like malls, multiplex or shopping centres during flu season. Similarly, try not to invite family or friends to your house for party or sleepover at least till the flu season is over.
What to do when baby gets a cold?
There is no cure for colds or flu, they simply must run their course which can take up to 10 days.
However the symptoms can be treated at home, and you can make baby as comfortable as possible:
- Extra sleep and cuddles
- Smaller, more frequent feeds
- Once a runny nose starts, put a vaporiser or cool mist humidifier in the baby’s room to unplug his nasal massage.
- Put few drops of saline nasal drops to open up the nose. This sometimes makes the baby sneeze which again helps in opening up the blocked nose.
- Provide the baby lot of fluids and continue breastfeeding.
- Babies can be given liquid paracetamol or ibuprofen and some other medicines, make sure you read the label or check with your GP, nurse or pharmacist if you are unsure
If unusual symptoms occur or if you are worried, seek medical advice.
For cold and flu in babies its best to seek urgent medical advice if your baby or young child has any of the following
- a persistent cough
- periods of breathlessness or difficulty breathing
- a high fever (see a doctor straight away for any fever in a baby less than 3 months)
- a bad cough
- bluish or very pale skin
- inability or unwillingness to feed
- drowsiness in your baby
- isn’t drinking
- is vomiting a lot
- has a bad headache
- is pale and sleepy
- has a rash that doesn’t disappear if you hold a glass against it.
For further information you can visit Raising Children
Source: Pregnancy Birthday
REMEMBER
Cold and flu is not a matter of concern as it will subside in few days’ time. But dealing with a sick child can be a difficult task for most parents. Remember that patience is the key while handling a sick child.
Hopefully this has helped shed some light on how to prevent, detect and treat your baby cold and flu! Head to our BABY DIGITAL THERMOMETERS to shop all you need to prevent and take care of your baby!
Need some more info about introducing solids to bub? Check out our guide here!
Any questions or comments, sound off below 🙂
Remember that research on colds and flu is ongoing, for more information speak to your GP or visit Health Victoria website
