Children can catch a cold anywhere from six to eight times in a year [1]. A runny nose is one of its most common symptoms, but it can be managed with a little love and care. We’ll tell you how.
A runny nose will pass, just give it time
There is no cure for the common cold. As a rule, it does not cause complications and passes with time [2]. Caring for your baby when they have a cold mostly focuses on alleviating symptoms.
Avoid dehydration
While your baby’s fluid supply is provided by breast milk or formula, a runny nose may make it uncomfortable for your baby to eat. Offer the breast more often or give them the usual amount of formula, but in smaller portions [3]. Contact your doctor if the baby refuses to eat [4].
Rinse their nose
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends flushing the nose with saline solution (sodium chloride 0.9%) [5]. Authors of a systematic review published in Cochrane concluded that "Nasal flushing may be useful for symptom relief". However, there was insufficient evidence [6].
Use a nasal aspirator
A device designed to remove excess mucus can make breathing easier in babies under six months of age [5]. Some studies have shown that it may be helpful when combined with saline nasal rinses [7, 8]. Read the instructions carefully before use.
Try a humidifier
You can place a humidifier near your child (but out of reach) to help with nasal congestion [9]. Humidifiers are widely mentioned in medical guidelines [9, 10, 11], but there is no definitive data on their effectiveness for runny noses.
Consult your doctor if [4]:
- nasal congestion does not decrease or worsens within 10 days;
- the baby has had a fever above 38.4 °C for more than three days;
- the baby refuses to feed;
- the baby has difficulty breathing or presents rapid breathing;
- eyes are red, yellow discharge;
- the baby is overly irritable or lethargic;
- you suspect ear pain and/or there is discharge from the ear;
- you are concerned about other symptoms that are not related to a runny nose.
