Baby Congestion and Colds

All babies are congested after birth and my 8 week old also caught a cough and a cold. The treatment for both is the same:

1. Use a humidifier in the baby's room. Make sure to keep the humidifier or the vaporizer very clean and change the water everyday.

2. Keep the baby's head elevated. I have been using Fisher-Price rock and play sleeper since my baby was born. It keeps her head elevated and I can keep it next to my bed at nights. It also helps with acid reflux. If you wish to stick to your bassinet or crib, put a wedge under the mattress to elevate it to about 45 degrees. This helps the baby breathe better.

3. Use Saline Drops and Suction Bulb. Put a drop or two in each nostril and wait a minute before suctioning it. Do this before every feeding so that the baby can breathe while being fed. Do not suction too much as it can lead to swelling and irritation inside the nostril.

4. Let the baby rest a lot and feed often. Liquids helps with colds, but very young babies (younger than 4 months) should not be given water or juice. Stick to breast milk or formula.

5. Do not use Vicks or Baby Vicks on babies under the age of 6 months. Although you can use Baby Vicks on babies after 3 months of age, I do not think it is safe to do so. Also, do not put Vicks in a vaporizer used in the babies room, it is too strong for the baby.

6. Turn a hot shower on in the bathroom and shut the door. When the bathroom gets steamy take the baby in for a couple of minutes. This will soften the mucus.


Colds in babies can last up to 3 weeks, peaking at around day 6 and then getting better from then onwards. If the cold is accompanied by a rectal temperature of 100.4 degrees or higher take the baby to the ER. Also, signs of respiratory distress in babies include 28-30 breaths a minute, flaring nostrils or the abdomen caving in showing the rib cage. All of these are signs of an emergency and a doctor must be contacted immediately.