“An infant's immune system doesn't mature until around 2 to 3 months,” Dr. Sabella says. “In those first few months, the immune system — especially cell-mediated immunity — becomes more developed. This is very important in helping a child fight off viruses.”
Babies get so many colds because their immune system isn't yet ready to fight off the 100 or so viruses that cause these infections. The cold virus spreads through the air when someone who's sick coughs or sneezes. It also lands on surfaces such as toys and tables.
But there are healthy habits you can adopt that will give your child's immune system a boost.
- Serve more fruits and vegetables.
- Boost sleep time.
- Breast-feed your baby.
- Exercise as a family.
- Guard against germ spread.
- Banish secondhand smoke.
- Don't pressure your pediatrician.
Infants. No one can resist the allure of chubby baby cheeks. Unfortunately, the baby had been kissed near the lips and doctors found the herpes virus on her chin, cheeks, and lips. As we know, cold sores are caused by the herpes virus and many people have herpes without even knowing it.
Babies and toddlers often have 8 to 10 colds a year before they turn 2 years old. Kids who are preschool age have around nine colds a year, while kindergartners can have 12 a year. Adolescents and adults get about two to four a year.
Visitors with Illnesses
When it comes to visitors, those who have colds or other respiratory illnesses should not hold your newborn. If they do not have a runny nose, sore throat, or cough, it is ok for them to hold your baby, as long as they wash their hands or use alcohol hand gel prior to holding him/her.Babies are more likely to catch colds than are older children or adults. In their first year of life, most babies catch a cold seven to twelve times! This is compared to children who may catch seven to ten colds per year, and adults who catch two to four colds per year.
The other symptoms of a weak immune system can include the following:
- autoimmune disorders.
- inflammation of the internal organs.
- blood disorders or abnormalities, such as anemia.
- digestive issues, including loss of appetite, diarrhea, and abdominal cramping.
- growth and developmental delays in infants and children.
According to most pediatric health experts, infants can be taken out in public or outside right away as long as parents follow some basic safety precautions. There's no need to wait until 6 weeks or 2 months of age. Getting out, and in particular, getting outside in nature, is good for parents and babies.
For the first three to four months, babies can only breathe through their nose and don’t have the strength to move their head. With the opening to its nostrils blocked, the baby can’t breathe and suffocates.
Antibodies are special proteins the immune system produces to help protect the body against bacteria and viruses. Breast milk also contains antibodies, which means that babies who are breastfed have passive immunity for longer.
Antibodies, which are also called immunoglobulins, take five basic forms, denoted as IgG, IgA, IgM, IgD and IgE. All have been found in human milk, but by far the most abundant type is IgA, specifically the form known as secretory IgA, which is found in great amounts throughout the gut and respiratory system of adults.
“Colds are caused by viruses,” Ukpeh says. “They run their course in five to seven days. But children can start off with colds and end up with bacterial infections that definitely require treatment. If your child's cold symptoms last longer than 10 days, be sure to see the doctor.”
A child exposed to colds and viruses earlier in life will develop a stronger immune system and is less likely to become sick in his or her later years. Meaning, that child may get sick from the new viruses just like everyone else. Some experts still say more exposure to germs is better.
See your child's doctor right away if you notice any of the following symptoms:
- a fever (for babies 3 months old or younger)
- cries inconsolably.
- listless or limp.
- has convulsions (seizures)
- fontanelle, the soft spot at the top of their head, is starting to swell.
- pain.
- purple splotches on their skin, or another type of rash.
For infants with a stuffy nose, use saline or saltwater drops/spray to moisten nasal passages and loosen mucus. Then clean the nose with a bulb syringe or other suction tool designed for infants. Acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help reduce fever, aches and pains.
You're best to let them sleep as much as they need to if your schedule allows. Also while kids are sick, they may wake up more frequently. So just when you thought you had your baby sleeping through the night, a cold might have him waking up every couple of hours just like in the early days.
Family doctor, Dr Lowri Kew, says: 'Colds tend to come on gradually. Babies may have a stuffy nose and mild temperature and will probably sleep more. They may also go off their feeds, both because they feel unwell and because their stuffy nose makes feeding difficult.
First, when babies are sick, they need lots of love. They DON'T need to “tough it out” or “learn how to sleep in all circumstances” as some may think. Sick babies actually sleep more overall, but they often wake up more frequently during naps and nighttime. This causes many parents to stress.
For the few infants who develop strep throat, signs and symptoms may include:
- Sleeplessness.
- Irritability.
- Fever.
- Refusal to breast-feed or drink from a bottle.
- Swollen glands in the neck.
- Red throat or tonsils.
- Occasionally, a fine, red rash on the torso, arms and legs.
Lifestyle and home remedies
- Offer plenty of fluids. Liquids are important to avoid dehydration.
- Thin the mucus. Your baby's doctor may recommend saline nose drops to loosen thick nasal mucus.
- Suction your baby's nose. Keep your baby's nasal passages clear with a rubber-bulb syringe.
- Moisten the air.
Treating the cold at home
- Elevate your baby's head to help ease breathing.
- Give plenty of liquids, including breast milk, formula (if your baby doesn't take breast milk), and water.
- Suction out nasal mucus using saline drops and a suction bulb.
- Moisturize the air with a humidifier.
For colds, most individuals become contagious about a day before cold symptoms develop and remain contagious for about five to seven days. Some children may pass the flu viruses for longer than seven days (occasionally for two weeks). Colds are considered upper respiratory infections.
If you have a cold or flu, fever, diarrhoea and vomiting, or mastitis, keep breastfeeding as normal. Your baby won't catch the illness through your breast milk – in fact, it will contain antibodies to reduce her risk of getting the same bug. “Not only is it safe, breastfeeding while sick is a good idea.
You should not kiss a baby if you have a cold sore to reduce the risk of spreading infection. Cold sores and other blisters caused by the herpes virus are at their most contagious when they burst.
Although seldom seen in breastfed babies, regular projectile vomiting in a newborn can be a sign of pyloric stenosis, a stomach problem requiring surgery. Newborns who projectile vomit at least once a day should be checked out by their doctor.
Common illnesses such as cold or diarrhea can't be passed to the baby through breast milk. If the mother is sick, antibodies can be passed to the baby to protect the baby from getting the same illness as the mother. Because the baby can still contract the flu from airborne germs.
There are a number of ways to prevent the spread of colds including:
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
- Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
Do not allow anyone with a cold sore – or who had a cold sore in the previous week – to hold or kiss your baby. If possible, keep your baby from crowded public places the first few months after birth. This is a good way to avoid contact with strangers and exposure to other respiratory germs.
If your baby has any of these signs and symptoms of the flu, call his health care provider right away or take him to see his provider: Being very tired or sleepy (also called fatigue) Cough. Fever (100 F or above), chills or body shakes.
