Having a sick baby is probably one of the worst feelings you will encounter as a mom.
My toddler has been sick with colds several times now, and even a minor stomach bug.
Let me tell you, there are some things I wish I had known to do the first time he was sick at just six months old!
Taking care of an ill baby can be difficult. There are so few medicines that can be given to babies, it can be hard to keep them comfortable and help them get better quickly.
Today I want to share with you some things that I’ve learned from the several bouts of sickness we’ve had with our little one. Hopefully they will help you too!
This post may contain affiliate links. Read my full disclosure here. I am not a medical professional, just an informed mom. Always consult your child’s pediatrician first.
Easy Remedies For When Your Baby Is Sick
Of course, if your baby is very sick or running a high fever, always call your pediatrician.
It’s also a good idea to call your pediatrician if your child is sick for an extended period of time and just can’t seem to get better.
For simple colds or allergies, your little one will likely just have to fight it off.
Thankfully there are some things you can do to help your little one be more comfortable and get better faster.
Stuffy/Runny Nose
For stuffy or runny noses, there are several things I recommend having on hand to use as needed.
- Little Remedies Saline Drops
- Bulb Syringe, Electric Aspirator, or NoseFrida
- Boogie Wipes
- Puffs Plus Lotion Tissues
- Cool Mist Humidifier
1. Saline Drops
The number one thing we use when our son has a stuffy or snotty nose is Little Remedies Saline Drops.
These drops help to loosen up any mucus so that is comes out easier. Huge lifesaver when your little one is stuffed up and can’t breathe!
2. Aspirators
Typically we use a bulb syringe, which is the kind the hospital usually gives you when your child is born. These are great for sucking out boogers.
When our son got really sick when he was six months old, we invested in an electric aspirator.
During that particular bout of sickness, his nose was constantly running and filling up with loose snot. On top of that, he absolutely hated it when we tried to suck it out with the bulb aspirator.
The electric one allowed us to get the job done much faster and easier. Which resulted in far less fuss from our poor sick baby!
I’ll be honest, I’ve never used a NoseFrida before because frankly it freaks me out. I know, I know! You don’t suck the snot into your mouth with it… But it still grosses me out. Maybe one day I’ll get over that.
But! A lot of moms like and have had good success with the NoseFrida. If you’re feeling brave, try it out and let me know how it goes!
Related: 15 Ways To Save Money On Baby Items
3. Boogie Wipes
Much like saline drops, Boogie Wipes are wipes that have saline in them.
This makes it super easy to wipe snot from your child’s nose.
It can also make it easier to get off any crusty snot (a particular problem first thing in the morning).
4. Puffs Plus Lotion Tissues
Maybe it sounds like a no brainer that tissues will help your sick baby, but let me be clear here. In my house, we make a point of having Puffs Plus Lotion tissues on hand for when we get sick, and it has made a big difference.
When my son is sick, he does not like his nose touched. At. All.
A big part of this is because his nose tends to get very sensitive very easily when it is runny, and even when it is stuffy.
Rather than using regular tissues that just continue to irritate his nose and make things worse, we use Puffs Plus Lotion.
The lotion in these tissues helps to keep his nose from becoming so sensitive, red, and raw. Which, in turn, makes it so much easier to convince him to let us wipe his nose when needed.
5. Cool Mist Humidifier
For stuffy or congested noses, I have found that running a cool mist humidifier at night (and even during the day) helps a lot.
Putting cool humidity into the air helps babies and toddlers to breathe easier, and helps loosen up the junk in their noses.
We use this a lot during the winter, because it gets very dry where we live. Especially when we have the heat turned on!
Fever
Depending on how old your baby is, the rules for when to take your baby to the doctor are different. Here’s a quick reference guide (always ask your pediatrician, though):
- Newborn — 3 Months: call your doctor immediately if your baby has any fever at all
- 3-6 Months: call doctor if fever is 101 F or higher
- 6-24 Months: call doctor if fever is 102 F or higher (source)
If your child is older than six months old, your doctor may allow you to give him infant ibuprofen. However, you should ask your pediatrician before giving your baby any kind of medication.
If your baby is too young to take ibuprofen or your doctor tells you not to give it to him, do what you can to keep your baby comfortable.
Dress your baby in loose, light weight clothing to avoid overheating.
Related: Most Moms Do This And It’s Hurting Their Kids
Tips For Babies Taking Medication
If your pediatrician does recommend or prescribe medicine for your baby while he is sick, be sure to follow all instructions given by your baby’s doctor.
When possible, avoid giving the first dose of any new medication in the evening. While this isn’t a requirement, I have always done this with my son so that I would know if he had any kind of reaction to it.
This is especially important if your baby sleeps in his own room, where you are a little less likely to know if your child has a reaction during the night.
For this reason, I try to start any new medication either in the morning or early afternoon so that I can monitor him.
Also be sure to keep track of what medication you have given your child, as well as how much and at what times.
Keeping a written record of this will help to prevent an accidental over dose, especially if more than one caretaker is administering the medicine.
This is also a good way to keep track of any reactions that may occur.
What’s your go-to solutions for when your baby is sick?
What do you do to help your child stay comfortable and get well quick? Share with me in the comments below–I’d love to hear from you!
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