What food to give baby during cold and cough
Babies & Toddlers With Coughs or Colds: Drug-Free Relief
Written by WebMD Editorial Contributors
When you have a cough or cold, you might reach for over-the-counter (OTC) drugs to ease your symptoms. But you can't do that for babies or toddlers. Cough and cold medicines that are safe for grownups can cause serious side effects -- even life-threatening ones -- in children under age 2.
If your baby or toddler is sniffling or coughing, try these methods. They’re all drug-free and safe for the tiniest of patients:
Try Saline Drops
When your child's nose is stuffy, they may have trouble breathing, sleeping, and eating. Saline nasal drops can thin the mucus in their nose and shrink swollen airways. Use them two or three times per day; any more often could make their nose sore. Nasal saline gel can be used to calm congestion.
Saline drops may make it easier to remove mucus from your child's nose. For babies, try a suction bulb or nasal aspirator. If your toddler can blow their nose with your help, give that a try.
Increase Fluids
When your child isn't feeling well, give more drinks than usual. Extra fluids can thin out their mucus so their nose won't be as stuffy and they’ll cough up all that gunk more easily.
Most drinks, like water, juice, and milk, are fine. Warm liquids like chicken soup, or apple juice can soothe a sore throat. Be sure they’re warm, not hot, to avoid burns. You can also offer an oral rehydration solution such as Pedialyte, or popsicles.
Babies under 6 months should only drink breast milk or formula, not water or juice. But you may offer more milk than usual for coughs or colds.
Give a Little Honey
It soothes sore throats and eases coughs. It may even work better for children than OTC cough medicines. Give your child 1/2 teaspoon of honey before bedtime. But never give it to a child less than a year old. It can make them very ill.
Use a Humidifier
Moisture in the air makes it easier to breathe, so run a humidifier in your child's bedroom at night.
Cool-mist models are safer than those that produce steam. Follow cleaning instructions on the device to prevent mold.
Lower Fevers
Some colds and coughs come with a slight fever. If your baby or toddler has a fever, follow these steps:
- Babies under 1 month: Call your pediatrician. Fever isn’t normal.
- Babies under 3 months: Call the doctor for advice.
- Babies 3 to 6 months: Give acetaminophen every 4 to 6 hours as needed. Follow dosage guidelines closely, and only use the syringe that came with the medicine, not a household spoon.
- Babies 6 months or older and toddlers: Give acetaminophen every 4 to 6 hours or ibuprofen every 6 to 8 hours. Don't give both drugs at the same time.
Serve Easy-to-Swallow Foods
Babies and toddlers with scratchy, sore throats often don't want to eat because it hurts to swallow. Feed them foods that go down more easily.
Toddlers and babies who eat solids may prefer soft, smooth foods.
Try ice cream, ice pops, flavored gelatin, pudding, yogurt, or applesauce. If they prefer warmer foods, try chicken broth or freshly made pudding. Babies 6 months and younger should stick with breast milk or baby formula.
Foods to offer during cold & cough in Babies, Toddlers and Kids - GKFoodDiary
Breastfeeding is much recommended when the baby is sick, as antibodies in breast milk help to fight the baby's illness and also it is easily digested. It's especially important when your baby is less than six months.
If the baby has a runny nose and congested, breastfeeding the baby is a little tricky, hence feed the baby in upright position & try using saline drops (after consulting with the doctor) to clear out a runny nose before breastfeeding. That might help the baby to take the feed.
2. Barley Water (6 Months+):Barley water is a world-known remedy for cold, cough and even fever. But be sure to feed your baby with barley water in moderation and make sure your family has no history of allergy to gluten.
Make barley water thick by adding less water and feed warm when your baby is down with cold or fever. Check out barley water recipe here:
3. Rice Gruel (6 Months+):
Rice gruel/Rice water/Watery rice soup is another common home remedy for treating cold and fever, as it helps to boost the immune system. It's also a natural energy drink for the child who is fighting the infection. Check out the rice gruel recipe here:
4. Turmeric Milk with pepper & palm candy (1 year +):Turmeric and pepper are the best natural antibiotics that help to get rid of cold, dry cough and throat infection. Avoid any milk or this turmeric milk if your child is taking antibiotics and the doctor advised the same. Check out the preparation of Turmeric milk recipe here with the detailed steps.
5. Dry ginger coffee or chukku kappi (2 years +):This dry ginger coffee is a grandmas home remedy for cold, nasal congestion and sore throat. It always works great and gives instant relief.
Add basil leaves to this dry ginger coffee for added benefits to treat cold and cough. Check out the preparation of dry ginger coffee recipe here with the detailed steps.
Soups:
7. Vegetable Clear Soup (8 Months+):Vegetable clear soups are easily absorbed by the body. Hence it is best to offer during cold. Make it as a clear soup with spices like pepper & cumin seeds during cold. Check out vegetables soup recipe here:
8. Chicken Clear Soup (9 Months+):The chicken clear soup is the best remedy for a cold that can clear a stuffy nose and gives instant relief from cold symptoms. When taken warm, it soothes a throat and makes the child comfortable. It also helps to relieve congestion. Check out the preparation of chicken soup recipe here with detailed steps.
9. Vegetables Dal Soup (7 Months+):11. Apple & Carrot Soup (6 Months+):Apple and carrots are rich in antioxidants which would be the right choice during colds.
Make a warm soup with apple & carrot and sprinkle pepper powder when your baby is down with a cold. Serve your baby warm. Check out apple and carrot soup recipe here:
Tomato soup is a great home remedy for cold, as it is loaded with vitamin C and it always works like a charm. Also, it tastes yummy! You can offer this tomato soup as such or mix with the mashed rice and feed your baby.
Check out tomato soup recipe here:
13. Mushroom Soup (1 year +):Mushrooms are amazing immune system boosters and help prevent infections. Hence the mushroom soups are apt during cold and cough. You can avoid cream in this mushroom soup when offered during the episodes of cold and cough. Check out the preparation of mushroom soup recipe here with detailed steps.
Fruits and Vegetables:
14. Stewed Apple (6 Months+):Stewed apples or applesauce is an ideal food to offer during fever as it's easily digestible.
It also helps to keep the baby hydrated. Check out Stewed apple recipe here:
15. Steamed Mashed Nendran Bananas (6 Months+):
Like apples, steamed nendran/ Kerala bananas are also easily digestible, and hence it's ideal to offer during cold or fever. Check out Nendran banana mash recipe here:
16. Pomegranate Juice (6 Months+):
Antioxidants in Pomegranate fruit helps to fight the cold. Give pomegranate juice with little pepper powder & dry ginger powder for best results during cold and cough. Check out Pomegranate Juice here:
17. Mashed white Potatoes (8 Months+):
18. Sweet Potatoes (6 Months +):
Sweet potatoes are packed with immune-boosting nutrients that help the body to produce white blood cells. Give steamed, mashed/pureed sweet potatoes or give as porridge to your kid during this period.
Below are the recipes for sweet potato mash and porridge recipes.
Check out Sweet Potato Puree recipe here
Check out Sweet Potato Poha Porridge recipe here
19.
Broccoli (8 Months +):Broccoli is sure the best choice during cold and cough as it has antioxidant compounds to help fight disease. It also stimulates the body's immune system. Give steamed broccoli or as puree or soup. Below are the recipes of broccoli soup and broccoli potato mash
Check out Broccoli Soup recipe here (Avoid cheese/cream while preparing for a sick child)
Check out Broccoli Potato Puree recipe here
20. Carrots (6 Months+):Carrots help to boost the defensive power of the immune system against viruses and bacteria that fight the diseases by destroying microbes. Choose steamed, mashed carrots or carrot soup for best results. Below are the recipes of carrot soup and carrot puree
Check out carrot soup recipe here
Check out Carrot Puree recipe here
21.citrus fruits (10 Months +):Citrus fruits protect the body from cell damage and boost the immune system. It also helps to relieve congestion and keeping the mucus thin.
Make fresh juice with lemon or orange with lukewarm water & serve or add lemon juice to warm water and serve with honey(for babies below one year avoid honey). Below are the recipes for lemon juice and orange juice below:
Check out Lemon Juice recipe here
Check out Orange Juice recipe here
22. Vitamin C rich fruits and vegetables:Vitamin C rich foods help to increase the production of antibodies and white blood cells which helps to fight the infection. It does not only help to get rid of the cold but also helps in preventing.
Serving suggestions:- Offer fruits as a puree or cut fruits or make juice with lukewarm water or as a smoothie with coconut milk.
- Offer vegetables as steamed or mashed
- White potatoes
- Sweet potatoes
- Broccoli
- Cauliflower
- Cabbage
- Turnips
- Bell peppers
- Tomatoes
- Green peas
Moong dal Khichdi (7 Months+):Moong dal khichdi is a filling and soothing food that makes your baby or toddler feel better during cold or fever. It's a light and healthy meal option when the little one is down with a cold. Check out moong dal khichdi recipe here
24. Curd Rice (8 Months+):Curd rice seasoned with cumin seeds and chopped ginger is the best food to offer when the baby is sick. Make sure the curd is at room temperature, not sour or chilled. Check out curd rice recipe here ( make it without milk for easier digestion)
25. Oatmeal Porridge (8 Months+):
Oatmeal porridge is a soft and easily digestible food for kids who are suffering from cold and fever. Also, it's very easy to swallow when the child has a sore throat. Check out oatmeal porridge recipe here (you could make it without milk for a lighter version)
26. Dalia Porridge (8 Months+):
Dalia porridge is another soft food you could prefer feeding your baby when he is sick.
It's easy to swallow and coat a painful throat while providing nutrition. Check out dalia porridge/ broken wheat porridge recipe here (make it without milk for easier digestion)
Sabudhana or sago is full of scratch and is great for a quick boost of energy, hence it's considered as the best food to consume when the baby is sick. It's very easy to digest. You could serve sabudhana Khichdi with some vegetables or make sabudhana kheer without milk and nuts, cook sabudhana pearls in water and make as a porridge, offer as such or you can strain and feed the water alone. Check out the sabudana recipes mentioned above here
Sabudana Khichdi
Sabudhana kheer
28. Idli or Steamed Dosa (8 Months+):Idli or steamed dosa is an easily digestible and soft food, you can prefer as a breakfast/dinner during cold or fever. Serve with curd or plain dhal. Check out Idli and steamed dosa recipe here:
29.
Idiyappam (8 Months+):Idiyappam or rice noodles is another easily digestible breakfast or dinner option as it's made with rice and steamed. Serve it plain or with lemon juice. Check out Idiyappam recipe here:
A cold in a child: how to treat it correctly
Many parents are ready for the fact that babies will catch common, including seasonal infections, which is typical for childhood. Some parents study the methods of treating ARVI and colds in advance, read about it from experienced mothers in blogs and diaries, consult with doctors they know, and watch medical programs. But even despite the fact that the child's body from birth has a powerful immune system, this protection is imperfect. Therefore, no matter how informed the mother is, when the child becomes ill, she has a lot of questions that require qualified answers. nine0005
What is ARI and SARS
Most often, children are faced with acute respiratory diseases, abbreviated as acute respiratory infections or colds.
This is especially evident when visiting children's groups, where they come into contact with other kids, and actually exchange various pathogens. The mothers of "kindergarten" children are very familiar with the phrase: "We go for 2 days, then 2 weeks - on sick leave."
A cold can be both viral and bacterial, even fungal and of a different nature, in 70-80% of cases it is of a viral nature. It is impossible to establish the origin of a cold with accuracy on a pediatric examination, as well as “by eye” to distinguish one infection from another. However, there are certain signs that indicate the action of viruses, harmful bacteria and other pathogens. For example, nasal mucus is indicative of an acute respiratory viral infection, which usually begins with mild malaise, decreased appetite, moodiness, and sleep disturbance in a child. This is a prodromal period, it lasts from several hours to 1-2 days. And such a viral infection as the flu begins acutely, immediately with a very high temperature, intoxication, there is almost no prodromal period, dry cough appears in the late stages of the disease.
Often SARS passes with catarrhal symptoms: nasal congestion, change in tone of voice, "circles", "blue" under the eyes, runny nose, discharge from the nose, cough, sore throat and swallowing. nine0007 What to do?
First of all, you need to remember that parents should not panic if the child has a fever and other unpleasant symptoms of a cold. Any mood of the mother is transmitted to the baby. A cold with a competent approach is simply MUST pass in 5-7 days without complications. And it is important to know that the treatment of a cold is complex, which includes the main drugs - antiviral, antibacterial, etc., as well as symptomatic therapy. You should not rely on just one medicine as a panacea, a magic pill from advertising or the advice of a pharmacy worker. nine0007 How to treat?
Antivirals. There is a lot of misinformation about antivirals now. They are credited with mythical side effects and actions. If this comes from a doctor, then he must provide data confirming his point of view in official sources, which are state medical institutions, major scientific journals.
Antibiotics. nine0028 As for antibiotics, their use is currently limited by very clear indications, contraindications, age of the patient, etc. In addition, antibiotics, especially with uncontrolled, frequent use, contribute to the formation of new strains of harmful bacteria that are difficult to treat. Usually, against the background of antibiotic treatment, it is customary to prescribe biological products - live microbes that make up the human intestinal microflora. But there is an opinion that the antibiotic has a detrimental effect on these bacteria, and such therapy does not bring the desired result. nine0007
Auxiliaries . In the treatment of colds of any origin, symptomatic therapy is used, the action of which is directed against the symptoms of the disease. They are called auxiliary, as they help to alleviate the course of a cold. They do not get rid of the cause of ARVI, but the child's own antibodies work against viruses.
How to treat a runny nose? In case of a runny nose, a nasal toilet with saline solutions is performed. The procedure is simple, but requires certain skills and care. To do this, you should seat the child with his back to him, first clean his nose. In babies, this can be done with cotton buds (in children under six months old, only with ordinary cotton turundas), and at an older age, children can already blow their nose. After that, you need to raise the chin, holding the child's face with his palm in a raised position. Using a pipette, drip saline solution into both nasal passages, lower the child's head forward. Part of the medicine may spill out of the nose, but the result of such a procedure will still be achieved. If there are no special recommendations from the pediatrician of the sick child, you can use a pipette and normal saline. But preferably a sterile solution based on sea water. It is a delusion to think that washing a child's nose will be addictive or the snot will flow out on its own.
Part, of course, can leak out, but if you do not clean your nose, there is a high risk of infection spreading to the lower respiratory tract, the development of complications such as inflammation of the trachea, bronchi, and lungs. nine0007 If the runny nose is profuse, watery, painful, accompanied by nasal congestion, vasoconstrictor drugs (based on oxymetazoline, xylometazoline) are used in the form of drops at bedtime, before walking with the child. This helps the baby to have a good rest in a dream without waking up, and on a walk it is normal to breathe through the nose without taking cold air into the mouth. It should not be instilled into the nose of a child in a supine state, since there is a high probability of a change in pressure during such manipulation and there is a risk of otitis media. All instillations must be done while sitting. The use of special preparations in the form of soft (spray with limited jet pressure) should be carried out with great care, since there is also a risk of promoting the spread of infection under pressure.
nine0007
Antipyretics . Often there are questions about the use of antipyretics, for children - these are drugs based on paracetamol or ibuprofen, for babies - in syrup, suppositories. It should be noted that if there are no special recommendations in this regard, it is necessary to reduce the temperature above 38.3 - 38.5 ° С. If the child feels well, plays, has an appetite, and, in general, tolerates temperature well, antipyretic drugs can not be used. If the parents see that the child's condition is bad, he refuses to eat and drink, becomes lethargic, vomiting occurs, headache, the temperature rises further, you can start giving antipyretics even at a low temperature. nine0030
How to treat a cough? Questions about cough are the most frequent and sometimes the most difficult at pediatric appointments for SARS. It is best if the doctor dynamically observes the coughing child. In this case, the specialist can distinguish changes in the tone of the voice, a barking component, a dry or wet cough, wheezing, localization of wheezing.
If the pediatrician recommends taking an x-ray, you should not refuse such an examination, this will help to make the correct diagnosis and prescribe adequate treatment. Currently, in the treatment of cough, inhalation drugs are widely used - through a special device - an inhaler. This tactic reduces the systemic effect of the drug on the child's body, where the drug reaches the point of its application - large and medium bronchi, and even alveoli. Inhalers can be used from the very birth of a child, but it is necessary to pay attention to the type of device, the medicinal substances recommended for it, their dosages and the frequency of use. nine0007 Activities before the doctor arrives
Sometimes, especially during the season of high incidence of flu and colds, there are difficulties with a doctor's visit, you have to wait for an appointment, the doctor does not have time to come as quickly as parents would like. There are steps that can be taken before the arrival of a specialist.
It is necessary to measure the temperature of the child and write down the data on the thermometry performed in a diary, which is then shown to the doctor. If the temperature is high, do not wrap or even dress the child warmly. At home, you can generally strip to your underwear. Disposable diapers are also recommended to be removed from babies. Do not forget about physical methods of cooling - you can wipe it with cool water, you can put a cloth moistened with water on the head, stomach, places of the main vessels. A sick child should be given plenty of fractional water, even if he refuses to drink, it is necessary to constantly offer from a teaspoon, moisten his lips. nine0007 There are no children who do not get sick. Everyone gets sick, only some often, while others not so much. The main thing to remember is that any medicines should be prescribed by a doctor at an internal appointment, after examination.
A cold in a child: signs and symptoms | What to do at the first sign of a cold in children
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How to cure a child of a cold
Contents of the articleUnder what conditions can a child get a cold? questions of parents. Prevention of colds in children. nine0030
What we used to call a cold actually includes a whole group of diseases that are different in nature and course 1.6 . These include influenza and other acute respiratory viral infections, bacterial pharyngitis, exacerbations of chronic diseases of the upper and lower respiratory tract. Due to immature immune systems, children catch colds more often than adults 2 . Even the strongest kids with good health can get colds 4-6 times a year. This is due to the impossibility of completely eliminating contacts with infected people during seasonal epidemics, age-related changes in the immune status, and various virulence (pathogenic effects) of pathogenic microorganisms.
Therefore, the question of how to quickly cure a child's cold remains relevant for all parents. nine0030
Under what conditions can a child get a cold?
Contact with an infected person. Respiratory viral infections are transmitted by airborne droplets. "Entrance gates" for pathogenic microorganisms are the mucous membranes of the nose and the conjunctiva of the eye. A child can become infected at school or kindergarten from an already ill child, at home from parents who have a cold, or in public places from a passer-by 1 .
Hygiene . If a baby touches the hands of another child or adult who has a cold and then touches their nose, mouth, or eyes, the risk of catching a cold is very high. Some viruses can live on the surfaces of objects (toys, countertops, doorknobs) for up to several days. Without washing hands after walking, visiting guests, etc., the child may get sick 1.2 .
When hypothermic.
Cooling the skin leads to vasospasm, which in turn reduces the activity of local immunity. In this case, both SARS infection and exacerbation of chronic bacterial infections are possible 5 .
The first signs of a cold and SARS.
Temperature increase. A fever is usually the first sign of a cold in children. The temperature quickly rises to 38 ° C or higher, but does not last long: in the absence of complications - no more than three days 3,4,5 .
General malaise. At the onset of a cold, the child develops a feeling of "brokenness", headache, "ache" in the muscles, sleep becomes restless. All these symptoms indicate intoxication of the body with the waste products of pathogenic viruses and bacteria 4.5 .
Runny nose. With ARVI, a child has copious discharge from the nose, it feels stuffy. Runny nose is often aggravated by concomitant symptoms - watery eyes and frequent sneezing 1 .
Sore throat. When a child begins to catch a cold, the back wall of the pharynx and soft palate almost immediately turn red. Acute sore throat may resolve within 1-2 days or persist throughout the illness 1,2,5 . nine0030
RINZAsip
® for childrenWhat are the most dangerous cold symptoms for a child?
The appearance of the following symptoms in a child with a cold is a reason for an emergency visit to a doctor.
Prolonged temperature increase. Normally, a child's fever lasts up to 3 days. If the temperature stays above 38°C for longer, it may be a sign of cold complications 3,4,5 .
Sign and dehydration. nine0166 If the disease is accompanied by frequent loose stools and vomiting, and it is not possible to drink the child, this can lead to dehydration. Sunken eyes, infrequent urination, dark urine are the main signs of this life-threatening condition for the baby 4.
5 .
Difficulty breathing. If breathing is rapid or accompanied by additional physical effort, the sick child needs immediate medical attention 2.4 .
Behavior change. nine0166 Increased lethargy, decreased reactions, impaired consciousness, fainting, convulsions, a sharp cry or inconsolable crying of the baby - if any of these symptoms appear, parents should call an ambulance 3,4,5 .
How do children cope with a cold at different ages?
In infancy and early years of life. Acute respiratory infections are often more severe in newborns and infants than in older children. In the first year of life, the risk of complications of SARS is higher 1.2 .
At preschool and school age. In children from 2-3 years old, especially those attending educational institutions, cold episodes are observed frequently, on average 6-8 times during the cold season.
The average duration of illness at this age is 14 days or less. Preschoolers and schoolchildren generally tolerate viral infections well and without complications. However, it is important for parents to remember that untreated SARS can lead to otitis, sinusitis, pneumonia 1.2 . nine0030
Treatment of a cold in a child.
Medications
- Antivirals. To treat an incipient cold caused by a viral infection, a pediatrician may recommend remedies based on interferon, a special protein that helps the body's cells resist pathogens 2 .
- Immunostimulants. To support a weakened immune system, a child can be given drugs with ascorbic acid. Vitamin C stimulates the production of its own interferon in the baby's body 5.6 .
- Vasoconstrictors. These preparations are recommended for infants who have a runny nose and nasal congestion that make sucking difficult. You can use vasoconstrictors for children as directed by a doctor, but not more than 5 days! 1,5,6
Antipyretics .
Most often, drugs based on paracetamol are used to reduce fever and alleviate associated symptoms in young patients. Such remedies can reduce fever, relieve headaches, “aches” in the body and other unpleasant symptoms of SARS 3,4,5,6 .
RINZAsip
® for childrenRINZAsip ® for children is a modern drug, which includes paracetamol in the dosage allowed for children 7 . Hot drink powder can be used on babies over 6 years of age 7 . RINZAsip ® for children can be given to a child at the first signs of a cold - fever, runny nose, sore throat 7 . The drug helps to cope with these unpleasant symptoms of the disease, alleviating the condition of the baby. nine0030
Non-drug preparations
Medicinal herbal decoctions. To cure a cold, infusions of chamomile flowers, rose hips, coltsfoot leaves, etc. are used. Parents should remember that any herbal components of such decoctions can cause allergies in a child, and due to the approximate dosages of active substances, quickly achieve the desired therapeutic effect is extremely difficult.
Fruits, juices . Children with a cold are often advised to eat citrus fruits or drink acidic fruit juices, as they are believed to contain a lot of vitamin C. However, the dose of nutrients in long-stored fruits is small, so fruits can only be an addition to complex drug treatment. nine0030
Med. It is recommended to be added to tea, dissolved in warm milk or consumed separately. It is important to remember that honey can cause an allergic reaction and is not suitable for treating babies in the first year of life. When dissolved in hot water or any other liquid, honey loses its beneficial properties 6 .
Raspberry tea. It is believed that such a drink can have a tonic effect due to the caffeine contained in it and relieve the temperature due to acetylsalicylic acid in raspberries. However, in hot tea, the berries lose their beneficial substances. nine0030
Please note that none of the folk remedies have been clinically proven to be effective.
Natural "medicines" also have side effects, like medications, and should only be used after consulting a pediatrician!
Nutrition and drinking regimen. In the acute period of a cold, a dairy-vegetarian diet is recommended. If the child refuses to eat, do not force feed him. The daily volume of liquid consumed must be increased by 1.5 times in order to quickly remove toxins from the body. Babies are often recommended to breastfeed, older babies are suitable for warm (but not hot!) Drinks - berry fruit drinks, weak tea, still bottled water 1,2,5 .
Nursing. For 3-5 days, it is necessary to provide the baby with a cold with rest and bed rest. The air temperature in the nursery should not exceed 20°C. Disinfection of the room is not required, it is enough to carry out wet cleaning every day and regularly ventilate the room. 2.5
Typical mistakes in the treatment of a cold in a child.
Uncontrolled use of antibiotics.
Antimicrobials are not effective in treating viral infections. Antibiotics are needed only if the cold is caused by bacteria or has provoked complications (otitis media, sinusitis, pneumonia). Even in this case, parents should use antimicrobials strictly according to the instructions of the pediatrician. Improper use of antibiotics can lead to the development of bacterial resistance to them, side effects, allergies 1.2 .
Use of antipyretics inappropriate for the child . To reduce the temperature in children under 12 years of age, drugs based on acetylsalicylic acid are not used due to the high risk of side effects. The use of drugs from the group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in babies is also not acceptable due to the high load on the liver. If the child's temperature is not brought down by conventional means, call a doctor (ambulance) 3,4,5 .
Imposing nutrition. Adults often want to feed a little sick person at all costs, which is not necessary when a child has a cold.
At high temperatures, appetite is almost always reduced or absent, and digestion is less active. Forcing food can lead to indigestion 5 .
Overheating of the patient . Wrapping up a baby with a high temperature is dangerous: the heat can increase, and heat stroke will occur. There is no need to cover a small patient with thick blankets and additionally heat his room. On the contrary, it is necessary to provide a cool temperature in the nursery. nine0030
Common questions from parents.
Is it possible to bathe a child during a cold?
Bathing should be interrupted only if the baby feels unwell, for example, he has a high fever, chills, body aches. With a normal mood and appetite, all restrictions are removed. When bathing after a break for several days, it is recommended to make the water in the bathroom 2-3 degrees warmer than usual.
When can a child be considered cured? nine0166
Treatment of ARVI can be considered successful if the baby's temperature subsided, his mood returned to normal, and his appetite appeared.
A healthy child does not have such signs of illness as a runny nose, sore throat, cough, upset stool.
Can I walk when I have a cold?
In the acute period (first 3 days) of ARVI, bed rest is recommended 5 . At an elevated temperature (from 37.5 ° C), you should not walk, even if the little patient does not complain about well-being. Cold air on the street can lead to spasm of skin vessels, which means that the body will not be able to give off heat and the heat will increase. If the baby feels fine, it is possible and necessary to walk on the 4th-5th day of illness: fresh air helps to recover from respiratory diseases. nine0030
When can I return to physical activity?
Sports and physical activity can be resumed 10 days after the disappearance of all symptoms of a cold.
Is it necessary to bring down the temperature of a child?
It is important to remember that fever is a protective reaction of the body that helps it fight off a cold 3,4,5 .
Antipyretics in children under 2 months old are used at a temperature of 38 ° C 3.4 . In older children, medication is justified at 39-39.5°C 4 . If the child is at risk of developing seizures, it is necessary to bring down the temperature above 37.5 °C 3.4 . When prescribing medications, it is important to focus on how the baby tolerates the fever and its accompanying symptoms.
Prevention of colds in children.
Compliance with hygiene rules. Regular handwashing with soap and water is one of the most important measures to prevent infectious diseases. It is important to use warm water and rub your palms apart for at least 30 seconds. Parents should teach their child to wash their hands after walking, before and after eating, after sneezing and coughing 2 .
Paracetamol is contained in the RINZA line of drugs
®5,6,7 : Restriction of contacts with sick people.
During the cold season, it is necessary to isolate the child from sick people as much as possible. You should not visit crowded public places with your baby. If one of the parents gets sick, it is recommended to avoid direct contact with the child, use disposable masks (remembering to change them every hour).
Balanced diet. nine0166 A child's daily menu should contain meat and dairy products, fresh fruits and vegetables rich in vitamins and useful microelements, which are necessary for the normal functioning of the immune system 2 .
Rational daily routine. Any baby needs good sleep (10-12 hours a day), daily walks in the fresh air, moderate physical activity. Physical and intellectual loads should correspond to the age 2 .
Frost protection. The child should be dressed warmly enough in the cold season, since spasm of skin vessels during hypothermia reduces local immunity. However, you need to focus on the weather conditions and the activity of the baby.
