Colds!!! HELP ME!!!

I agree with everything that Misty said. I would also add that suctioning a baby's nose too much will cause her nasal passages to swell making the problem worse. I wouldn't suction her nose more than 4 times a day always using saline drops first. A cool mist humidifier, Vick's Baby Rub on her chest or feet, and keeping her head elevated is the best thing to do for her right now. Good luck and I hope she feels better soon!

Pretty much what Sue X said. I took my son in so many times when he just had a stuffy nose.

I would call the local ER or whichever hospital you go for your medical care and ask to speak to a nurse. They should be able to advise you of your child's condition.

I believe if she has a temperature of 101.0 F, you are recommended to take an infant that young in. Also, if there seems to be any pain, dehydration (the fontanel will be sunken in), or labored breathing...as though you can see the upper chest muscles working to draw in a breath.

Colds are scary in young babies, but I promise, they are tough! However, you're the mommy, and if you are worried, take her in. You will have your worries relieved, and be able to care for her in a more relaxed manner knowing you aren't ignoring some life threatening problem (which you probably aren't, but sometimes, we just have to be sure.)

Why ER right away? ER is for very sick. Call your pediatrician... they will tell you what to do.

I'm not sure why you would need an ER for a cold? My son slept in his car seat for the first 3 months of his life due to a cold. If you can, do that, it will help with the breathing. Also, use a cold midst humidifier.

You should NEVER take a child to the ER for a cold. You will expose her to the flu, other germs and all kinds of things, making her sicker. And they will not do anything for a cold. The time a child should be taken to the ER is fever above 104, seizures, breathing problems, uncontrollable bleeding, lethargy (lying around not moving/ not acting their normal self, they could be dehydrated), not taking any liquids for an entire day, (not eating is NOT a reason to go to the ER; when children are sick they don't want to eat, just like adults. As long as they are getting fluids in, this is ok.) EMERGENCIES are a reason to go to the ER. Use saline in her nose, this is bought over the counter at any pharmacy, suction her nose to keep airways open (youngsters do not breathe out of the mouth.) If she runs fever, tylenol every 4 hours (no motrin until over 6 months of age), give plenty of liquids. You are doing the right things. If fever develops, take her to her pediatrician. They will check her ears for infection. If infection is present, they will prescribe antibiotics. Antibiotics are used too much in America, and bacteria get immune to them. So it takes stronger medicine to fight infection when it is present. Colds do NOT require antibiotics. Good luck, and give her lots of cuddle time.

You can check how much oxygen she is getting by checking her capillary refills(softly pinch the tip of her finger and count the seconds it takes for the blood to refill) anything over 4 seconds is bad. You can check it a few times just to be sure. Also like the other moms said labored breathing. This can lead to croup in young kids (my daughter was hospitalized last christmas with it) Check for retraction(use of other muscles to breath) Stomach muscles pulling is one sign or watch her throat and see if it tugs at all when she is breathing. Use a humidifier and if she is really congested and she has the signs above take her into the bathroom with you and shut the door, run the shower on hot for about 15-20min let her breath in the steam then open a window or take her outside immediately (just long enough for her to breath in the cool air and be sure to have her bundled up) this will open up the airway. You may have to repeat the shower thing every hour or two depending on how congested she is. Hope this helps. I know how scary it is to watch your child go through this. Prayers are with you!

When my daughter was a baby we used something called vapo-bath. It was a body wash that had a menthol scent. It really relaxed her and opened her sinuses up a bit. We bought it at Walmart and I know that they still make it.

elevate her crib, use a humidifier... i assume you are using saline in her nose with the suctioning. as long as her temmp isn't ridiculious and she doesn't have labored breathing (you can see her ribs) then you just have to wait it out. we used our car seat for our little buy when he had colds cuz he'd sit up right sort of.