When Baby Gets Sick
Our baby has caught a cold. We were getting ready to go out of town for the weekend, packing up the car and all the baby gear, when we first noticed. Thinking that her sniffles and excess mucus might be related to a tooth coming in, we hoped for the best and proceeded with our plans, only to turn around and head home.
Dealing with a sick child is never easy, and with a toddler too young to tell you what?s wrong or where it hurts, it can be especially difficult. The American Academy of Pediatrics has lots of good suggests for parenting a sick child, including tips on how to keep the germs from spreading. Parents (as well as anyone coming into contact with baby) should:
- Wash hands frequently.
- Avoid sharing utensils, cups, tooth brushes, etc., with anyone with a cold or fever.
- Wash baby?s utensils and bottles in hot, soapy water.
In addition, a cool-mist cool-mist humidifier or vaporizer should be used in baby?s room to add moisture to the air and help clear his or her nasal passages.
The American Academy of Pediatrics strongly recommends that over-the-counter cough and cold medications not be given to infants and children younger than 2 years, due to the risk of life-threatening side effects. In addition, several studies have shown that cold and cough products aren?t effective in children younger than 6 years of age and can have potentially serious side effects. Always check with your doctor before giving your child any medications.
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