Common cold: Babies 3-12 months

1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (4 votes, average: 4.00 out of 5)
Loading...
Print Friendly, PDF & Email

The common cold makes babies uncomfortable and irritable and can be distressing for parents. In 3-12 month old babies, there is no need to use medicines like cough syrup – these can actually be dangerous for young babies. Cold symptoms usually take care of themselves in about a week, but sometimes become more serious.

Parents need to be able to differentiate between symptoms of the common cold, and symptoms of more serious conditions, so they can decide when to see a doctor. They also need to know how to relieve their baby’s symptoms and make them as comfortable as possible while they recover.

Baby colds

Colds are common, especially in babies. Although they’re usually not serious, it’s normal for parents to worry about what is causing their baby’s sickness. Find out more about baby colds and what causes them.

 

Baby cold symptoms

A baby with a cold will have symptoms like a blocked nose and a cough for 1-2 weeks. They should start to improve after the third day. If symptoms get worse or are very serious, you need to see a doctor. Learn more about baby cold symptoms.

 

Preventing baby colds

Colds are common but parents can take steps to prevent them. Breastfeeding is the best way to protect a baby from infection. Hand washing and keeping baby away from people and objects with cold germs also helps. Find out more ways to prevent colds in babies.

 

When to take a baby with a cold to the doctor

Your baby has a blocked nose and a cough. Any parent would be distressed, but should you wait and see or race to the doctor? Find out more about when to take a baby with a cold to the doctor.

 

Caring for a baby with a cold

When your baby is sick, you want to do everything you can to comfort them. There’s plenty of things you can do to show them your love and make them comfortable, but a few things you shouldn’t do. Read about how to look after a baby with a cold.

- Advertisement -

 

Baby cold remedies

Baby cold remedies are simple measures to help relive uncomfortable symptoms. Generally they do not include medicines. Find out more about remedies you can use when your baby has a cold, and the medicines you should avoid.

 

Baby cold: Tips for parents

There are many dos and a few don’ts when your baby has a cold. You’ll need to be able to recognise symptoms which should be seen by a doctor, and times when you can wait and see. You’ll also want to do everything you can to help your baby, and avoid anything that can harm them. See all the dos and don’ts in Baby cold tips for parents.

 

References

  1. Curtis GB, Schuler J. Your baby’s first year: Week by week (3rd ed). Cambridge, MA: Da Capo Press; 2010. (Book)
  2. Snellman L, Adams W, Anderson G, et al. Diagnosis and treatment of respiratory illness in children and adults (online). Bloomington, MN: Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement; January 2013 (cited 17 May 2013). Available from: (URL link)
  3. Common cold in children (online). London: National Health Service; 2011 (cited 5 May 2013). Available from: (URL link)
  4. Common cold in babies: Symptoms (online). Rochester, MN: Mayo Clinic; 2010 (cited 5 May 2013). Available from: (URL link)
  5. Mayo Clinic. Guide to your baby’s first year. Intercourse, PA: Good Books; 2012. (Book)
  6. Heikkinen T, Järvinen A. The common cold. Lancet. 2003; 361(9351): 51-9. (Abstract)
  7. Farrer F. Cold and flu in children. S Afr Pharm Assist. 2013;13(1):16-7. (Full text)
  8. Common cold in babies: Complications (online). Rochester, MN: Mayo Clinic; 2010 (cited 5 May 2013). Available from: (URL link)
  9. Bronchiolitis (online). Parkville, VIC: Royal Children’s Hospital; November 2010 (cited 12 may 2013). Available from: (URL link)
  10. Sung V, Cranswick N. Cough and cold remedies for children. Aust Prescr. 2009;32(5):112-4. (Full text)
  11. Colds in children. Paediatr Child Health. 2005;10(8):493-5. (Full text)
  12. Shields MD, Bush A, Everard ML, et al. Recommendations for the assessment and management of cough in children. Thorax. 2008;63(Suppl 3):iii1-iii15. (Abstract | Full text)
  13. Choby BA. Diagnosis and treatment of streptococcal pharyngitis. Am Fam Physician. 2009;79(5):383-90. (Abstract | Full text)
  14. Shelov SP, Altmann TR (eds). Caring for your baby and young child: Birth to age 5 (5th ed). USA: Bantam Books; 2009. (Book)
  15. Cough in Children. Best Prac N Z. 2010;29:20-9. (Full text)
  16. Common cold in babies: Risk factors (online). Rochester, MN: Mayo Clinic; 2010 (cited 5 May 2013). Available from: (URL link)
  17. Hand hygiene guideline (online). Adelaide, SA: South Australian Infection Control Service; 18 November 2010 (cited 22 February 2011). Available from: (URL link)
  18. Preventing colds and flu (online). London: National Health Service; 18 October 2012 (cited 17 May 2013). Available from: (URL link)
  19. Duijts L, Jaddoe VW, Hofman A, Moll HA. Prolonged and exclusive breastfeeding reduces the risk of infectious diseases in infancy. Pediatrics. 2010;126(1):e18-25. (Abstract | Full text)
  20. Olszewska W, Zambon M, Openshaw PJ. Development of vaccines against common colds. Br Med Bull. 2002;62:99-111. (Abstract | Full text)
  21. 10 facts on breastfeeding: Health benefits for infants (online). Geneva: World Health Organization; 2012 (cited 18 May 2013). Available from: (URL link)
  22. Common cold in babies: Prevention (online). Rochester, MN: Mayo Clinic; 2010 (cited 5 May 2013). Available from: (URL link)
  23. Colds (online). Adelaide, SA: Women’s and Children’s Health Network – Child and Youth Health; 2012. (cited 12 May 2013). Available from: (URL link)
  24. Common cold in babies: Lifestyle and home remedies (online). Rochester, MN: Mayo Clinic; 2010 (cited 5 May 2013). Available from: (URL link)
  25. Information statement: Room temperature (online). Melbourne, VIC: SIDS and Kids; September 2007 (cited 25 May 2013). Available from: (URL link)
  26. Common cold in babies: Treatment and drugs (online). Rochester, MN: Mayo Clinic; 2010 (cited 5 May 2013). Available from: (URL link)
  27. Beggs S. Paediatric analgesia. Aust Prescr. 2008;31(3):63-5. (Full text)
  28. Lokker N, Sanders L, Perrin EM, et al. Parental misinterpretations of over-the-counter pediatric cough and cold medication labels. Pediatrics. 2009;123(6):1464-71. (Abstract | Full text)
  29. Common cold: Symptoms, treatment and prevention (online). Adelaide, SA: SA Health; 2013 (cited 9 May 2013). Available from: (URL link)
  30. Common cold in babies: Causes (online). Rochester, MN: Mayo Clinic; 2010 (cited 5 May 2013). Available from: (URL link)
  31. Nasal decongestants (online). Strawberry Hills, NSW: National Prescribing Service; 23 August 2012 (cited 28 July 2013). Available from: (URL link)
  32. Knowing your child’s eczema (online). Parkville, VIC: Royal Children’s Hospital; 1999 (cited 28 July 2012). Available from: (URL link)
  33. Factsheet: Crying babies (online). Randwick, NSW: Sydney Children’s Hospital Randwick; 2009 (cited 28 July 2013). Available from: (URL link)
  34. Baby weight gains (online). Malvern East, VIC: Australian Breastfeeding Association; 2013 (cited 28 July 2013). Available from: (URL link)
- Advertisement -
Date Created: August 20, 2013