It is sooo difficult to see a baby suffering from cold…i understand completely but the thing is we dont go for meds in such young babies.

WHAT YOU NEED TO DO IS:

📌Keep them hydrated with breastfeeding
📌Treat fever, if any: less than 6mnths visit a pediatrician.
📌 Use Nose bulb to clean nose and prevent blockage. Put 2-3 drops norsaline or normal saline with head tilted backward. After putting drops slightly massage the nose and after 10 minutes clean with a tissue and then suck out extra with the bulb.
📌Humidifier
📌Steam room. Close the door and windows. Put a big pan of boiling water 2 feet away from the baby. Hold arms and legs.
📌Wash your hands.
📌Any body suffering from cold at home better stay away from baby, if thats not possible then tell to be very careful around the baby. Sneeze or cough in a tissue, wash hands and then come near the baby.
⚠️If anything other than normal regarding activities of the baby rush to pediatrician.
📌Don’t even think of antibiotics.
📌No cold and cough medicine for kids under 2years.
📌Honey is to be completely avoided in less than 9 months. 9mnths to 12 mnths can be given in a very diluted form(mixed with expressed breast milk via spoon). And that too after making sure that its not an old bottle of honey. But IDEALLY avoid giving honey in less than 12 months.

Always remember breastfeed babies have better immunity to fight against all this. So breastfeeding is encouraged.
⚠️And also remember that viral takes about 10 days to go. So, know what you should do, what you shouldn’t and when to rush to your pediatrician immediately.

DIET DURING ILLNESS:

Sick Babies and toddlers are bound to get cranky and they may create a fuss during eating. A few things that you should keep in mind while trying to ensure that your sick baby gets nourished are as follows:

*Six Months And Younger: they should be offered only mother milk or formula if they have a cold and cough. Dont worry it shall be sufficient for them.

*Six Months To One Year: they can be fed small meals at frequent intervals instead of big meals thrice a day. The food served should be one that can be digested easily.

*Serve What He Likes: If your baby is fussy about eating its better to offer him what he wants to eat. (Cold and sour food should be avoided).Do not force feed the baby. Be thankful for whatever he takes.

* A few things that you may give are:
Mothers milk, Rice water, Curd rice, Apple sauce, Sweet potatoes, pureed Carrots, Mashed potato, Porridge, Clear soup, Sabudana/sagudana.

*Prevent DEHYDRATION: Ensure that a baby older than six months is well hydrated. You can offer him different types of liquids like water, milk, broth, and fresh fruit juice made with slightly warm water.

*No Experimentations: Also not introduce any new foods while your baby is ill as these can aggravate the symptoms or cause allergies making matters worse.

Lots Of rest : Make sure the baby gets lots of rest and sleep. That will soothe your sick baby and help him heal. Avoid schedules that will over-stimulate your baby.

*Hug, Snuggle or Cuddle:
The bestest way to ensure early recovery is to give them lots of love and attention. Hold the baby and engage them in a quiet play, give an infant massage or read and sing to the baby.Talk to the baby and reassure that he will get better soon. Dont think that the baby is not old enough to understand. Your voice will help relax and soothe your sick infant.

Remember these are just a few general guidelines to follow when your little one is down with cold and cough. At any time is the activity of the baby decreases, the baby stops taking feed/food, the baby has decreased urination…RUSH to ER of a hospital that has peads set up.

**NEBULIZER CARE

Disposable masks are meant to be thrown away after 5 to 7 uses, while regular child and adult nebulizer masks are meant to be used for up to 6 months.

After each treatment:

For both disposable And regular.
*Wash your hands thoroughly.
*Disassemble the nebulizer.
*Rinse the mask or mouthpiece with warm water for at least half a minute.
*Do not wash nebulizer tubing or compressor.
*Shake off excess water and place parts on a clean towel for air-drying.
*Reassemble the system and turn on the compressor for a few seconds for drying

Once a week:
For regular ones.

*Consult your owner’s manual for specific instructions.
*You may be instructed to soak all nebulizer parts (except mask, tubing, and compressor) in one part distilled white vinegar/three parts hot water for one hour (do not reuse cleaning solution).
*Rinse, shake off excess water, and allow to air-dry on a clean towel.
*Reassemble the pieces and tubing and turn on the compressor briefly for drying.
#nebulizerCare

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