Infant Medication and Daily Care for Cold

When a young infant contracts a cold, parents often want to use medication to help their child recover quickly. However, due to the delicate nature of an infant's body, medication use should be cautious. Despite the severity of symptoms, it is crucial to understand what medications are appropriate for infants.

Compound Zinc Gluconate Granules for Infants

Compound Zinc Gluconate Granules are used to relieve symptoms such as fever, headache, nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, and body aches caused by common and influenza-related colds. While these granules may be suitable for children with these symptoms, they are not recommended for infants under three years of age. It is essential to follow the doctor's advice when considering medication for infants.

Daily Care for Infant Cold

Here are some recommended daily care tips for infants with cold:

1. Nasal Irrigation with Saline Solution: Tilt the baby's head backward and drip a few drops of non-prescription saline solution into each nostril to soften any nasal mucus. After a few minutes, use a nasal aspirator to suction out the water and mucus. This can be helpful if nasal congestion interferes with breastfeeding.

2. Use a Humidifier: Place a humidifier in the baby's room to moisturize the air. Alternatively, take the baby into the bathroom, turn on the hot water shower, close the door, and let the baby stay in the steamy room for 15 minutes. A warm bath can also help relieve nasal congestion.

3. Elevate the Head of the Bed: Place two towels under the mattress at the head of the baby's bed to slightly elevate the head while sleeping. This can help reduce the discomfort of mucus draining from the back of the nose and accumulating in the throat. However, avoid elevating the head too high.

4. Add Menthol Oil: Adding a few drops of menthol, eucalyptus, or pine oil to a humidifier or bath can help alleviate nasal congestion in babies.

If a child has a fever as a result of a cold, specific actions should be taken based on the child's age and symptoms. For mild symptoms such as a runny nose and occasional coughing but with good spirits, normal eating, playing, and sleeping, home care and observation may be sufficient, along with ensuring adequate hydration and rest. However, if the baby has a fever with a temperature exceeding 38.2°C or exhibits significant discomfort due to the fever, it is recommended to use ibuprofen or acetaminophen for fever reduction. These are the recommended fever-reducing ingredients for children by the World Health Organization, and they are considered safe and effective. If the fever persists after 2 hours of medication, prompt medical attention is advised to prevent the condition from worsening.