Colds and other illnesses
Babies can get colds just like the rest of us. A cold is caused by a virus and usually results in mild symptoms in your baby (stuffy or runny nose, mild fever, and mild cough). For mild colds, there is usually no special treatment. However, if the nose becomes too runny or stuffy, it may make it hard for a young baby to nurse or drink from a bottle. Since a baby can’t blow her nose, you may have to clear out the mucus by suctioning with a bulb syringe. Also, talk to your doctor about using warm water or saline nose drops to loosen up dried mucus before suctioning. Don’t give your baby any medications without checking first with your doctor.
Eye injuries
All eye injuries (common ones include bruising around the eye, scratches on the cornea) should be evaluated by a doctor. If an irritating substance is splashed into the eye, flush it with water for at least 15 minutes and seek medical care. Don’t rub the eye, apply medication, or try to remove an embedded object yourself.
Prevention is always better. Follow these guidelines:
• Wash your hands with soap and warm water before touching your baby and ask others to do the same.
• Stay home. Keep your baby at home as much as possible. Especially avoid taking your baby to crowded locations, such as shopping malls, restaurants, and church.
• Keep sick people away. Keep people who have colds away from your baby and those feeling ill should refrain from kissing the baby.
• Don’t smoke or allow others to smoke near your baby. Exposure to tobacco smoke can increase the severity of viruses and infections.
See a doctor immediately if you notice any of the following:
• Reddened or firm skin around the umbilical site or skin that has pus or a foul smell.
• Redness, swelling, tenderness, pus, or bleeding at the circumcision site.
• Vomiting more than occasionally or vomit that is green or bloody.
• Thrush white or greyish-white, slightly elevated patches resembling curds of milk on the tongue, roof of the mouth, lips, or throat.
• Breathing faster than 60 breaths per minute.
• Wheezing or coughing.
• Lethargy, or an overall change in activity or behaviour.
