5/23/12

Baby's first Cold


BOOOO!  Boo to a cold, but double boo when mommy and baby are sick. Especially when it’s a nursing mommy who doesn’t feel like getting out of bed.  Since I live in the allergy capitol of the States, “The Ohio Valley,” I thought we were both just suffering from allergies. So I shut the windows turned on the air condition and air purifiers and waited to feel better.  Neither one of us stopped having the stuffy noses, I also had a sore throat, aches and pains. I couldn’t tell if Ollie did too, but I knew he felt yucky.  Two days passed and it was clear we were sick.

I didn’t call the doctor at first because I knew he wouldn’t be able to do anything since Oliver is only 3 ½ months old, not old enough for medication.  I just tried to keep him warm and twice a day, morning and night, spray saline in his nose and use my battery operated super nose sucker to clear him out.  After two days of both of us still feeling lousy I broke down and called the doctor.

As expected I was told not to bother coming in unless he had a fever or cough.  There was nothing the doctor could do for him.  However, I was told that there were a few things I could do.  

  1. Prop his mattress up using a pillow or blanket underneath.  This was to help his breathing.
  2. Turn on a humidifier to keep the air moist.
  3. After bath spray his nose full of saline and suck out the gunk.  I did all of these things and by morning Ollie was feeling MUCH better.  I was still stuffy but he didn’t sound as bad.  The most amazing thing was that he slept from 8pm-4am and then from 4:30 to 7!  That is the best he has ever done.  I really think propping his mattress up helped him breath and pass gas much easier so he was able to rest better.

We are both completely free of cold symptoms now.  However, I am keeping his mattress propped up until I think he doesn't need it anymore, but with it helping him sleep better I cannot imagine taking the pillow out anytime soon! 


Two confused parents=One amused baby Hopelessly we are trying raise a baby who is clearly smarter than both of us. April is an award-winning writer and blogger. Her work has been published in over ten countries and four languages. From books to newspapers, to print/online magazines and everything in between, you can find her work. For more on April, Visit AprilMcCormick.com

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

If he doesn't toss and turn, but still manages to slide down to the end of the bed, try pinning his clothes to the bed. My baby's pediatrician told me to do that and, while I didn't feel comfortable using safety pins (I was afraid they'd come undone and would stick my kiddo), I did put two stitches into her sleepsack and then placed her in it... it worked wonders! For about two weeks... then she started turning over all pinning anything down was useless. ;-) Glad he's feeling better! And you too!!!

Unknown said...

Oh no! You guys better feel better soon! and here I thought Central Florida was the allergy capital... great tips though- I forgot all about propping up the mattress. Get well!

Anonymous said...

Breast milk also works to clear up stuffy noses; better then saline drops, and free!

FirstTimeMomandDad.com said...

Thanks! We are much better. Well, Ollie was stuffy last night but oddly enough opening the window made him better. I am going to change our air filter and get him a super powered humidifier.

FirstTimeMomandDad.com said...

Oh Yea! How does that work?

FirstTimeMomandDad.com said...

The stitches is a brilliant idea!! Thank you for that. He is starting to slip and go sideways too. I may just give that a try..

Anonymous said...

I've heard of that too! You just squirt a couple of drops into the nostrils and then use the suction bulb. :-)

FirstTimeMomandDad.com said...

I might just have to try that! Thank you!

Kitten said...

Ugh, baby colds are the worst. N2 is on her third one (in three months of life) due to the loving attention of her preschool germ ridden brother. We don't lift her mattress at all or use humidifiers, but the saline spray is awesome. I use it myself nowadays when I'm sick. I hope your baby is feeling back to normal quickly.