What to do if your 6-month-old baby catches a cold

Babies often start to become more susceptible to colds six months after birth. This is because the antibodies provided by the mother begin to decrease and the baby needs to produce antibodies on its own. So when your baby catches a cold, as parents, you should learn some simple physical methods to alleviate your baby's symptoms. Secondly, parents need to carefully identify the severity of their baby’s cold. If the situation is serious, they need to seek medical attention immediately without delay.

The antibodies brought from the mother to the body of a six-month-old baby have been exhausted, so the six-month-old baby is more susceptible to diseases such as colds. If the baby has a cold, he will cough, have a runny nose, and even have a fever. So what should you do if your six-month-old baby has a cold, cough and runny nose?

1. Specific response methods

1. Hot compress method: When the baby catches a cold, parents can use a clean towel or gauze, dip it in boiling water, wring it dry (although it is very hot), and then wrap it in layers. (Note that because the baby's skin is very tender, parents can test the temperature on themselves to prevent burns.) Then place the wrapped cloth ball at the base of the baby's nose (a little below the eyebrows) for hot compress. Maybe the baby will not cooperate well. The best way is to apply hot compress when he is asleep. 2. Decoction and fumigation method: Take a small handful of scallion or three or four shallots (onions) and chop them into a soup. Inhale the hot steam with your nose, or boil vinegar and inhale the vinegar vapor. Both methods have better therapeutic effects.

3. Side-lying massage

If you have left-side ear congestion, lie to the right; if you have right-side nasal congestion, lie to the left. Use two fingers to pinch your nose and press and rub the Yingxiang points on both sides for 1 to 2 minutes. The nasal congestion can be removed.

2. Special attention and medical attention are required

1. Continuous clear runny nose: For most young children, if their runny nose is caused by nasal allergies or colds, they can stop the symptoms by taking medicine. Clear water running from the nose may be a sign of cerebrospinal fluid leakage, which may indicate a gap between the nasal cavity and the brain cavity. This is a very dangerous and urgent situation and must be sought for medical attention and treatment immediately.

2. Yellow snot: When the color of nasal discharge changes from clear water to yellow and sticky, it means that the nasal cavity may have been infected by bacteria or viruses, causing inflammation or even suppuration. At this time, a doctor needs to prescribe some antibiotics for treatment.

3. Feeling of difficulty breathing and wheezing: Especially when breastfeeding, because the mouth is blocked by the nipple and food, and the nasal cavity is originally blocked, breathing becomes more difficult. At this time, the baby will show symptoms such as irritability, dark complexion (cyanosis), flaring nostrils, and sunken chest...

4. Fever, swollen nose, severe cough and poor energy: These symptoms may indicate other more complex problems, such as sinusitis or pneumonia, so they should not be taken lightly.

When babies at home catch a cold, they often feel very uncomfortable, and may even cry non-stop, which really makes mothers anxious.