Colds are the infections of the upper respiratory tracks, i.e. mouth, throat and nose. It is spread when someone with a cold sneezes or coughs, set free a virus into the air. When this virus is inhaled by someone he gets infected by it. It can be spread through hand to hand contact.

Common Symptoms of Baby Cold

• Running nose or a congested nose
• Continuous nasal discharge
• Sneezing
• Sore throat
• Coughing
• Low grade fever
• Loss of appetite
• Irritation
• Reddening of eyes

Babies tend to get a lot of cold problem because they are in the growing stage and their immune system is still gaining strength. With little babies, one can expect about six to ten colds a year. In case the parents are new they may get panic. The common cold can be treated at home also. If your baby is months old and having following symptoms, you can consult a doctor.

Cold Symptoms of a Three Month Old Baby

Your baby may be having problem in inhaling if the nose is all stuffed up, so feeding will be difficult. A major persisting problem during the cold is that babies can’t blow their nose; parents have to help them in clearing their nose.If your baby is not sleeping throughout the night and wakes up several times, it could be a reason that his nose is stuffed and he is not able to breathe properly. You have to be extra careful to comfort him. The following symptoms can be observed.

• If the baby is not having frequent urination as he/she does usually do
• Has a temperature higher than 100.4 F
• Reddening of the eyes or grayish/ yellowish discharge
• Ear pain
• Irritation
• Has trouble breathing
• Persistent cough
• Nasal discharge for several days
• Or any unusual sign that worries you

What You can do to Ease Your Child

Though babies' cough and cold go on their own but usually it takes 12 to 14 days. But you can't just wait and watch so better try some suggestions mentioned below to ease your child's discomfort.

• As baby loses its appetite so encourage him to have frequent breast feed or bottle feed
• Your baby should have plenty of water
• Help him to wipe his nose, also you can dab a little petroleum jelly onto the outside of his nostrils to reduce irritation and redness
• Infant medication can help them like infant paracetamol (syrup) and infant ibuprofen. Consult your pharmacist or doctor for medicine
• In case baby is not able to take a feed because of stuffy or running nose, nasal saline drops can help him to unblock his nostrils. These drops can be given 15 minutes before a feed
• Application of vapor rub could help your child breath easily. Apply it to the chest and back; preferably if the baby is young don't apply on his nostrils
• Breathing in steam may help your child lose baby’s blocked airways and relieve his cough. You can sit with your baby in a steaming bathroom for a few minutes with shower on

Don't try to experiment with your baby over the counter cough and cold medicines. These medicines should not be given to children under six to avoid the risk of its side effects.

Cold Home Remedy to Ease Your Child

• Mix well the rock salt in mustard oil and massage on chest and back, around lung area
• Mix little ginger juice and honey in 1:2 ratio and make your baby lick with your finger 2-3 times a day
• Boil holy basil leaves, vermicelli in milk, strain, cool and give it to your child instead of plain milk
• You can give boiled water with carom seeds and few holy basil leaves after cooling it
• Heat garlic cloves in mustard oil and apply it externally on chest area of the baby and cover it
• If the baby is having outside milk, ensure to boil it with few seeds of carom to prevent him from getting cold
• Make sure that baby needs tremendous rest
• Soups will warm them and help them with fluids and nutrition
• You can elevate their head by keeping extra cushion (for children more than 12 months)
• You can use a warm mist humidifier in your baby's room. Moist air can reduce congestion and make baby breath easily
• Increase baby's liquid intake to compensate the lost fluid through fever or running nose.

Preventing Your Baby from Getting Colds

As an old saying that prevention is better than cure. If we follow few preventative methods at the change of the season, we can reduce the chance of getting this viral infection among babies.

• Breast feeding is one of the best ways to protect your baby. Many antibodies are infused in baby’s body through breast feeding which fight infections.
• Keep your babies away from anyone having cough and cold
• Your baby should be hold by the person with clean hands
• Keep away your baby from smoking area
• Start feeding them basil water as it increases their immune system