Colds are one of the most common health problems in babies. However, sometimes this condition can be dangerous. There is Some of the symptoms of colds in babies that need to be watched out for, because: can indicate a serious illness.
Babies don't have as strong a immune system as adults, so they can easily get sick, including colds. Even when aged 0-12 months, babies can catch colds up to 7 times.
Although often colds in babies can heal on their own, this does not mean that this condition should be taken lightly. There are several symptoms that you need to pay attention to, because they can be a sign that your little one is suffering from a more severe condition.
Symptoms of Colds in Babies that Need to be Watched
Although it often occurs in infants and children, complaints of colds should immediately receive medical attention if they occur in children less than 3 months old.
Meanwhile, for infants and children who are older, cold symptoms should immediately be checked by a doctor if accompanied by a fever that lasts for more than two days.
In addition, Mother also needs to be alert and see a doctor immediately if the cold experienced by your Little One is accompanied by other symptoms, such as:
- Fever with a body temperature of 39 degrees Celsius or more.
- Shortness of breath, or strange-sounding breath sounds (wheezing).
- Cough that lasts more than 2 days, especially if it is phlegm or is accompanied by splashes of blood.
- seizures.
- Urinating or defecating less frequently than usual.
- Frequent vomiting.
- The skin is pale, or the lips and nails appear bluish.
- Not wanting to breastfeed or eat.
- Sneezing, runny nose, and red eyes.
- More fussy than usual and always looks sleepy.
- Earache. This symptom can be recognized by a baby who often tugs or rubs his ear, or cries while feeding.
Colds in infants accompanied by some of the above symptoms can be a sign of a more serious condition, such as pneumonia. Therefore, you need to immediately take your little one to the doctor if you find a cold followed by these symptoms.
Handling Colds in Babies
Seeing a baby runny nose must make you as a parent feel anxious. Even so, there are several efforts you can do to relieve your little one's complaints, namely:
- Make sure he gets enough rest.
- Elevate his head so he can breathe easier.
- Give breast milk or formula regularly to prevent dehydration. Breast milk can also strengthen the baby's immune system to fight infections that cause colds.
- Drain mucus or snot with a special baby snot suction device.
- Putting your little one in a room without air conditioning. If necessary, use a humidifier to help loosen the mucus that is blocking the nose and relieve coughing.
- Keep your little one away from cigarette smoke or dust.
In addition to some of the ways above, you can also relieve colds in babies using a sterile salt water solution (sterile saline) nasal drops. But if you are unsure about using it, it's better to take your little one to the doctor for this treatment.
So that your little one doesn't catch colds often, don't forget to complete the immunization schedule and keep your little one away from people who are sick with the flu.
When your little one has a cold, avoid giving him cold or cough relievers that are widely sold over the counter. If you want to use drugs to relieve cold symptoms, it is better to consult directly with your pediatrician. Especially if your little one has cold symptoms that you need to watch out for above.
