7 Tips To Prevent Colds In Babies
All parents are shocked when their baby gets sick. However, viruses do exist, and although all possible precautions are taken, preventing children from contracting them is impossible. However, steps can be taken to prevent colds as much as possible.
They are in fact very common, especially in the colder months. In addition, they can get worse if some bacteria take advantage of the lowering of the immune defenses and cause bronchiolitis or even pneumonia in babies. So here are our tips for preventing colds in babies.
Causes of colds in babies
One of the causes of colds in babies is that their immune systems are not yet fully developed. Also, as they continue to grow, they want to explore everything and bring whatever they can to their mouths.
On the other hand, they can also become contaminated when they touch a contaminated object with their hands. Finally, constant changes in temperature also contribute to the onset of this disease.
Symptoms of colds in babies
Among the symptoms, the most frequent are made up of:
- Clear mucus dripping from the nostril, which then (approximately within a week) will take on a deep yellow or green color.
- Repeated sneezing.
- Mild pain in the throat.
- Loss of appetite.
- Difficulty sleeping.
- Agitated breathing.
- General malaise.
- Cough, fever, diarrhea and vomiting.
At what time should the baby be taken to the doctor?
If your baby is less than three months old, you should call your doctor when you notice any of these symptoms. The measure becomes even more urgent and necessary in the presence of a high fever that exceeds 38 degrees.
From three months a year of age, it is necessary to consult a doctor in the presence of a high fever of 38.5 degrees and excessive cough, which could be a symptom of bronchiolitis or pneumonia.
Tips for preventing colds in babies
There are a lot of tips on how to prevent colds in babies. We will highlight seven of them, which will help parents take care of children affected by this disease:
1. Feed him regularly
Breast milk is essential in preventing colds in babies. So, feed him regularly. Although breast milk is not a defense against disease, it does make the baby get sick less because it contains antibodies that protect against germs.
2. Keep it away from sick people
As far as possible, avoid that the baby is in contact with a person suffering from a cold, as it could infect him. In case someone has a cold and you want to see the baby, kindly tell them to come back another day after the infection is over.
3. Keep the baby warm
It is essential that you keep your baby warm. If you are about to go out, cover him well and make sure his hands, feet and head are well protected from the cold. Be careful, however, not to cover it too much: avoid making it sweat.
4. Give him healthy food
To feed it properly, you can add a lot of fruit and vegetables to your baby’s diet. In addition, it is good that you consume a lot of fruit with a high content of vitamin C: even if it does not cure colds, it helps to strengthen the immune system, which fights viruses.
5. Wash your hands regularly
All the people who are part of his environment must wash their hands frequently before touching the baby. It must be borne in mind that through the hands it is possible to transmit a lot of germs. Also, try to keep his toys clean: babies carry everything to their mouths.
6. Try not to take it indoors
As far as possible, try not to bring the baby indoors, such as restaurants or shopping centers. In these environments, in fact, it is possible that sick people are present, facilitating the proliferation of viruses.
7. Make sure your dog is well hydrated
If your baby is less than six months old, continue to follow the normal habit of giving him breast or formula milk. If he is older than six months, however, you need to hydrate him with a sufficient amount of water. If he pees several times a day, it means he is well hydrated.
Natural remedies that can prevent colds in babies
While the most recommendable action to take is, once your baby is sick, take him to the doctor for examination and prescribe a treatment for him, there are some things you can do around the house to prevent colds in babies. For example:
- Use nasal drops.
- Place a vaporizer in the bedroom: you could add a few drops of mint or eucalyptus essence.
- Use humidifiers indoors to keep them moist.
In conclusion, while they are completely normal in young children, there are some measures you can take to prevent colds in babies. You must always be very attentive to any symptoms that arise; if you have a high fever or persistent cough, it is recommended that you take it to your doctor immediately.
