Viruses are prevalent these days and it’s enough to worry most moms, especially first time moms and the ones with newborn babies or infants. Colds are pretty common for babies and kids, but when is a cold or a sniffle enough to warrant a visit to the pedia?
Babies and even newborns tend to sneeze a lot, but not because they’re cold or sick. Sneezing is simply a way for them to clear their nasal and respiratory passages of congestion and airborne particles. At the same time, sneezing can also help newborns to reopen a temporarily closed nostril — which sometimes occurs during breastfeeding (when the baby is pressed up against mommy’s boob).
So a few sneezes in a day is ok. And even breastfeeding can help remedy a bit of sniffles. But when do moms need to visit the pediatrician for her child’s cold? Here are a few symptoms to watch out for:
- Not feeding. It’s best to consult your pediatrician if you’ve noticed that your baby is not feeding well. Moreso if he’s not wetting a diaper at least every 6 hours or so.
- Strange breathing. If you’ve noticed that your baby makes strange or loud noises when breathing or if he seems to have trouble doing so, then it’s best to visit your pediatrician.
- Fever. Fever in babies 3 months and below will always warrant a visit to the pedia as they are at a higher risk of infection.
- Extreme fussiness or sleepiness. If your baby seems to be more fussy and sleepy than normal, then it’s best to call your doctor.
- Bad cough. Coughs are also another way for the body to clear mucus from the lungs. But if your baby has been coughing for more than 72 hours, then make that pedia visit ASAP. Do so as well if he starts to vomit after bad coughing bouts.
- A long bout of cold. If your baby’s cold doesn’t get better after a week, then it’s best to consult your pedia to rule out any other infection.
- Runny nose. At the same time, if your baby’s nose is still runny, or if he also has sneezing bouts and red eyes, consult your pedia in case it’s allergies.
- Other symptoms such as ear pain, blue lips, or sore throat. Other symptoms that could occur while he has a cold including rashes or red spots also warrant a trip to your healthcare professional.
Ultimately, it’s best to follow your instincts and contact your doctor if you think there’s something wrong with your baby. Talking to your trusted pediatrician can help alleviate your worries and give you insight on how to handle your child’s health care best.
Reference: WebMD
Join our MomCenter Community on our Facebook page and Facebook group for more insights on motherhood and parenting.
