When your baby coughs or sneezes more than usual, you start worrying. For generations, simple home remedies have helped parents control their babies' colds and coughs. You have come to the right page if you are looking for home remedies for colds in newborn babies!
Symptoms of a viral cold or cough are very similar to an allergic reaction to something in the baby's environment. It can be quite challenging to differentiate between the two.
Here are some signs that can help you differentiate between a cold and an allergy:
Giving your baby even basic medicines for colds and coughs without consulting your doctor is not safe. What may seem like a simple cough could be lung congestion requiring stronger medications. What you think is a cold could be a simple allergic reaction. Let your doctor diagnose and prescribe medicines for your baby.
We also know that running to the doctor for the smallest sniffle or a tiny cough is not always feasible. Here are some home remedies for baby cold and cough:
1. Increase Fluids
Increasing their fluid intake can help thin the mucus, making it easier to come out of their system. However, for babies below the age of 6 months, fluids apart from breast milk and formula are not recommended. You can try increasing their milk intake instead. You can give older babies warm water and fresh juice (fruit or vegetable) without sugar or soups.
2. Get the Snot Out
Since babies don't know how to blow their noses, you can use a bulb syringe to remove the snot. You must slightly insert the syringe into the nostril opening while squeezing the bulb. Once the syringe part is inside, you can release the bulb. This will create a suction and help remove the snot obstructing their breathing.
3. Humidifier
Colds and coughs tend to dehydrate and dry out your little one's throat. If your baby has a dry cough at night, place a humidifier in their room, away from their reach and all fabric. This
machine will release water vapour into the room, thus increasing the humidity. Moisture in the air can reduce the dryness in your baby's nose and throat.
4. Steam Inhalation
Inhaling steam can help release stuffy noses. Run hot water in the shower or the bath with the bathroom door closed. After a few minutes, when the room fills with steam, take your baby inside for a few minutes to let them inhale the steam.
5. Air the Room
Exposing your baby to secondary smoking or taking them into a room where someone has smoked earlier can irritate their tiny throats and noses. Remove all traces of cigarette smoke by airing out the room. Opening up the windows and letting fresh air in can also discourage dampness or growth of mould, which can cause serious health issues in addition to cough.
For babies over a year old, you can try the following:
If your baby's cough is not decreasing despite the home remedies or if the cough seems to intensify, you should consult a doctor without further delay.
Colds and coughs are very common among babies. Their immune systems are just developing and need more time to fight germs effectively. If home remedies don't work, please visit the doctor.
If your baby constantly coughs, prop them up on pillows, even when they sleep. Keeping their head higher than their chest can help reduce the cough. However, this can only reduce the cough but not cure it. Increasing fluid intake, using a humidifier in the room, or inhaling steam can also help reduce baby cough.
Breast milk can help soothe a baby's throat that feels sore from coughing. However, avoid heating breast milk to give something warm to a newborn baby as a home remedy for colds. Overheating will kill all the good microbes in the breast milk.
Once your baby is 6 months old, they can start drinking water. For kids, drinking warm water can help soothe the throat and control cough. You can also use a humidifier in the room, take them out to breathe in some fresh cool air, or try steaming to reduce the irritation in their throat, which can reduce the cough.
Increase your child's fluid intake. Giving them a glass of warm milk mixed with turmeric powder can also help due to its anti-inflammatory properties. Inhaling steam and ensuring their room is not too cold can also help. If they have a dry throat, try using a humidifier in their room.
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