One of the most stressful times for any mother is when their babies are sick. Infants who are not feeling well are definitely not happy babies. Once you suspect your baby is getting sick you should make an appointment with your pediatrician.
However, there are a few simple things you can do to keep your baby comfortable and speed up recovery. You can visit mommyauthority.com for more parenting tips and tricks.
1. Keep Them Hydrated
As soon as you suspect your baby is getting ill you should offer them fluids more often. Dehydration in infants is very serious and can happen very quickly. Remember that babies younger than six months cannot safely consume water. Babies older than six months should drink between two to four ounces daily.
2. Keep An Eye Out For Fevers
Fevers are a common symptom that shows your baby’s body is displaying an immune response and they are fighting off some sort of bug. If your baby is running a temperature, you should always keep a close eye on them. You should call your doctor if your baby is lethargic and unresponsive, has problems breathing or eating, has a rash or has a seizure.
3. Let Them Rest
Keeping your baby calm and rested while they are fighting off an illness will help them feel much better. Let them take many naps and put them to bed early. An additional benefit of keeping your baby resting means that you are limiting their exposure to additional germs.
4. Take Care Of Their Nose
One of the most common symptoms of a cold or flu is a stuffy, runny nose. You can ease your baby’s discomfort during an illness by using saline drops and a nasal aspirator to keep their nose clean. If your baby keeps rubbing their nose, apply a barrier cream around their noses to keep their skin hydrated and free from irritation.
5. Keep A Humidifier Running
A cool mist humidifier can help ease any congestion that your baby may be experiencing. Most infants do not have sufficient muscle control to clear mucus from their lungs and the mist from a humidifier really makes it easier for them. Just make sure that you change the water daily to prevent the growth of mold or bacteria in the humidifier.
6. Invest In A Nebulizer
A nebulizer is a medical device that is most often used to deliver medication that needs to be inhaled. This machine uses a mixture of processes involving oxygen and compressed air to atomize and vaporize liquid medication into small aerosol droplets, or a mist, that can be inhaled directly into the lungs. Although the medication that goes into a nebulizer needs to be prescribed to you by a doctor, you can use a simple saline solution for your baby. When your baby inhales this saline mist it will help to loosen any mucous that has accumulated in their lungs and clear congestion.
7. Use Eucalyptus Oil
Eucalyptus oil is a powerful essential oil that acts as a decongestant as well as easing coughs and sore throats. Because eucalyptus has strong anti-microbial properties, it is also excellent as a disinfectant. This oil is quite strong so make sure never to let it come into direct contact with your baby’s skin as it could burn them. Add this oil to a diffuser or mix it with a carrier oil and use it to massage your baby.
8. Run Them A Warm Bath
A warm bath can be incredibly therapeutic for infants who are recovering from an illness. The warm water will soothe all their aches and pains and it will help to break a stubborn fever. Just be sure to keep the ambient temperature warm in your bathroom and make sure to dry your baby and dress them warmly before leaving the bathroom.
9. Make Sure To Take Care Of Their Basic Needs
When you are caring for your sick baby, it is important to keep them as comfortable as possible. Make sure that their diaper is clean and that they are wearing comfortable warm clothes. You should also make sure that your baby is drinking enough milk, formula and breast milk, and have small regular meals.
10. Distract Them
Keeping your baby calm and distracted while they are sick will help you deal with their illness better and help them think of anything other than how they feel. Go for a walk, give them extra toys or let them watch some cartoons.
11. Give Yourself A Break
When your baby is ill, it can be easy to blame yourself for their being sick. If you are stressed out and feel like you do not have a handle on the situation, your baby will pick up on your emotions. Always remember that you are a good mom and you are doing the best you possibly can for your baby.
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