It really hurts when our little ones are in distress. It might be minor cough or cold which are in general common among babies as young as 3 months old, it becomes quite hard to listen or resist for any parent. So, what can you do in such case? Well, read below to know what you can do for your 3 months old who has cough. Hope this would help you if your baby has minor cold.
What Can I Do For My 3 Months Old Who Has Cough?
It is true that you might get tempted to reach pharmacy and give your baby cough and cold medication when you see your baby down with cough or common cold. However, it might not always be appropriate for infants.
In fact, according to a statement issued by The Center for Disease Control And Prevention or CDC in the year 2007, there is a warning against giving cough and cold medicines to infants, following the hospitalization and deaths of infants.(1)
So, let us take a look at some of the drug-free and safe ways to treat cough in case of 3 months old.
Use Homemade Cough Medicine For Your 3 Months Old Who Has Cough:
For babies or infants of 3 months old who are suffering from cough, you can provide them warm and clear fluids like lemonade or apple juice. It is suggested that 5-15 ml or 1-3 tsps of this liquid for about 4 times in a day could help them get rid of cough.
CAUTION: Do not use honey for babies below 1 year of age and it is also recommended to see your baby’s doctor if the age is below 3 months old.
Increase Fluid Intake and Keep The Baby Hydrated:
It is always important for you to note that increasing fluids intake and keeping your infant hydrated can actually thin the mucus secretions, which can be then expelled out more easily.
NOTE: Baby’s below 6 months of age must only drink breast milk or formula milk.
So, you can also increase the baby’s milk intake that is because vitamins present in the milk would help the baby recover soon and improve the immune system.
Raise Your Baby’s Head:
Sometimes cough and cold come together and this might cause difficulty in the infant to breathe properly.
We usually sleep with an extra pillow when we have a stuffy nose so as to breathe easily. This same trick even works for babies. Simply place a folded towel and a baby pillow under the baby of your 3 months old so as to create a slight angle. This in turn will raise the baby’s head pretty safely and help the baby breathe easily.
You Can Use Humidifier:
Some coughs in infants are also accompanied by cold. So, you can use humidifier to reduce or prevent cough and cold. Moisture in the air in your baby’s room makes it quite easier to breathe. You must use cool-mist models as they are safer than the ones that produce steam.
Try To Lower Baby’s Fever:
Some coughs and colds also come with mild fever. If your infant has got fever, you need to try lowering the baby’s fever at first. For this, you definitely need to see your child’s doctor and take the expert advice and treatment.
Conclusion:
You can try out these above mentioned ways to get rid of cold in case of your 3 months old. However, if the cough in your baby persists for more than a week without improving or if the baby is having fever and other symptoms of common cold then you definitely need to see your child’s doctor. Your baby might have allergies, asthma, or even enlarged adenoids which might inhibit breathing.
Also Read:
- Causes of Barking Cough in Babies & its Treatment, Home Remedies, Symptoms, Prevention
- What Can Cause Chest Tightness And Cough?
- What is Smoker’s Cough: Causes, Effects, Home Treatment, Medications, How Long Does Smoker’s Cough Last?
- 8 Killer Home Remedies for a Nighttime Cough
- Different Types Of Cough & When Can Cough Be Serious?
- Can Coughing Too Much Damage the Throat & How Does Coughing Affect Your Body?
- Home Remedies To Treat Cough In Children
