Baby's first cold

[kellyc1987]

DS is 8 months old and has got his first real cold, a cough and runny nose but no temperature. I took him to the doctors on Thursday as his cough sounded a little mucousy and they said it wasn't on his chest so don't worry.

Well today he is rattling when he breathes, obviously the doctor isn't open so will take him on Monday, my question is that he has started only taking a few sips of his bottle and then pulling away, and I basically feel like I'm forcing him to take the rest, how can I make it easier on him to drink? I've been giving him water and solids too, he takes the solids (puree) fine.

Any advice?

 

[CaptainMummy]

Both of my youngest girls had awful colds that lasted weeks and weeks (dd3 didnt get rid.of hers for about 3 months) and like your LO, it was all mucousy and rattly when she coughed and she never had a temperature. It was never in her chest though, but she did struggle to drink as she was very congested. I just offered her milk more often if I felt she wasn't taking much.
She was never in any obvious pain ot discomfort by it, and I couldnt really do much to get rid of it. I have heard a steamy room (hot shower running in bathroom) can help with congestion.

Since he is taking his solids, I would maybe offer him some more if he is really struggling with his milk. It wont be forever and at least you know he will be filling up.

Hope he feels better soon x

 

[jodilee6]

He probably struggling to suck the bottle with a blocked nose

You can try saline drops/spray and a snot sucker to unblock his nose however I find when me two are ill they are generally off their food/milk and often only take small amounts until they are better

 

[_Meep_]

Ah it really sucks when they are ill! Everything you describe sounds pretty normal though for an unwell LO.

Just like we lose our appetites when we feel like crap, they do too. Babies, though, whether drinking from a breast or bottle, need to be able to breathe through their noses. It's most likely that he's got a blocked nose and is finding it difficult to drink and breathe at the same time.

There are a few things you can try for a stuffy nose. Steam is one - running the shower or bath water hot with the door closed should create enough steam to help loosen the mucous a bit. Others people like to drop saline drops into the nose and use a nasal aspirator to suck the mucous out. Gross, but it works.

If he still refuses to take a bottle, though, the only problem will be possible dehydration. Babies can go fine without huge numbers of calories for a couple of days, but it's important that you keep his fluids up. If he will take solids, maybe you could whizz some melon or peach - something with a high water content - for him to try. Or give him applesauce or yoghurt. You could mix moderate amounts of milk in with these foods. Milk can also be administered with a dropper or spoon, so that it isn't flowing too fast for him to cope with while his nose is blocked.

As for the rattling, that sounds pretty standard to me, as they have really little passages that rattle and buzz even with a small amount of mucous - they don't realise how to clear their throats or noses when they are so young. Of course, though, keep an eye on his breathing and temperature so you will know if things take a turn for the worse.

 

[kellyc1987]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone, that's a great tip about puree'ing high water content food, I never thought of that!!

He doesn't seem like his nose is blocked because it's running constantly, I have been rubbing snufflebabe vapour rub on his chest and feet, putting him in a steamy bathroom and using a nasal aspirator but still isn't really helping... I'm still having to feed him bit by bit and if that's what works for now I guess I'll just carry on with that! He will also happily sip the milk from the bottle if i take the teat off.

Thanks for the advice all!

 

[kellyc1987]

Just got back from the doctors, he has a chest infection so we have some antibiotics, also a new tooth popped through at the top so hopefully he will start to feel better in a few days!

 

[_Meep_]

Oh no! Rotten for him with all that at once. The antibiotics will sort him out though. Hope he's better soon.