When it comes to young children, they often suffer from the common cold. This is largely because their bodies are still developing immunity and are not yet ready to fight off infections. As a parent, those tiny sniffles and little cough can truly tug at your heartstrings, especially if you are witnessing an infant’s cold and cough. This is how to prevent and treat children’s cough and cold. Several of these tips are essential for winter care.

How can I prevent my child from getting a cough or cold?

At the outset, it is important to know that it isn’t possible to prevent all cough and cold. That said, you can take some precautions to reduce their frequency. These include:

• Healthy Diet: Offer plenty of fruits, veggies, whole grains, and protein to build a strong immune system.
• Hydration: Ensure they are adequately hydrated
• Sleep: Ensure your child gets enough rest.
• Exercise: Promote regular outdoor play for natural immunity.
• Avoid Triggers: Limit cold and refrigerated items and junk food.
• Handwashing: Teach children to wash hands frequently, especially after being out or after sneezing.
• Avoid Sick People: Keep your child away from those who are sick.
• Clean Home: Wipe down frequently touched surfaces and keep the home clean and dust-free.
• Vaccinations: Keep immunisations up-to-date.

To prevent infant cold, make sure you wash your own hands frequently and also avoid crowded places. To prevent children’s cough and cold, everyone around them must be vaccinated.

Symptoms of the common cold

Despite the above precautions, there will be times when the child will develop a cough and cold. The symptoms you are likely to notice include:

• You may notice a stuffy or runny nose.
• The mucus may initially appear clear, but it may later thicken.

Other symptoms of a common cold in a baby may include:

• Fever.
• Sneezing.
• Coughing.
• Lack of appetite
• Trouble sleeping.

How are cough and cold treated?

The heartening bit is that most common cold get better on their own within a week. The best treatment is rest. Other home remedies for cough and cold treatment include:

1. Use Saline Drops

Saline drops go a long way in helping mucus. You can also use a nasal aspirator to gently suction out the mucus.

2. Use of a Humidifier

Cold treatment at home also includes the use of a humidifier, which can help add moisture to the air. In turn, it helps to ease congestion. It is important to ensure that you keep the water clean.

3. Plenty of fluids

For infants under six months, ensure you continue breastfeeding or formula feeding as you normally do. For older children, ensure that you offer small sips of water.

4. Keep the head elevated

Keeping the head elevated will help with drainage and also ease breathing. A word of caution here. It is important to ensure that no loose blankets or pillows are left in the crib.

5. Snuggles

There is nothing quite like snuggles and skin-to-skin contact to soothe the baby.

When to Visit a Pediatrician?

Do not hesitate to visit a pediatrician if you notice any of the below symptoms:

• The child has trouble breathing
• The cold does not settle within a week
• Fever lasts more than 3 days
• The illness affects your child’s appetite or sleep
• There are any rashes

To Sum Up

It’s hard to see your baby sick, but with love and care, they’ll be back to normal soon.
Do keep watching out for this space for more such informative content. At Footprints Play School, your child’s wellness and holistic growth are important to us.

Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)

1. Why do young children catch a cough and cold so often?

It is because their immune systems are still developing that children are more vulnerable to infections.

2. Can cough and cold be completely prevented?

No, but their frequency can be reduced with healthy habits, hygiene, and vaccinations.

3. What daily habits help strengthen a child’s immunity?

A balanced diet, adequate hydration, proper sleep, and regular outdoor play all support natural immunity.

4. How important is handwashing in preventing colds?

It is critical. Teaching children to wash hands after sneezing, coughing, or being outdoors reduces germ spread.

5. Should I avoid certain foods when my child is prone to colds?

Yes, limit cold and refrigerated items and junk food, as they can trigger or worsen symptoms.

6. What are the common symptoms of a cold in children?

Symptoms may include a runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, coughing, fever, thickened mucus, poor appetite, and trouble sleeping.

7. How long does a common cold usually last in children?

Most colds improve on their own within a week with rest and supportive care.

8. What home remedies can ease a child’s cold?

Saline drops, humidifiers, plenty of fluids, keeping the head elevated, and comforting snuggles.

9. When should I consult a paediatrician?

If the child exhibits breathing difficulties, a fever lasting more than 3 days, poor appetite, rashes, or if the cold persists beyond a week, it’s time to consult a paediatrician.

10. How can parents prevent infant cold specifically?

Wash your hands often, avoid crowded places, and ensure everyone around the baby is vaccinated.