| Sadly, nearly every baby experiences some sort of | | | | in baby's room also helps relieve congestion. Baby |
| sickness the first year of life. Some of the more | | | | wipes are a better choice than Kleenex to keep your |
| common illnesses your baby might experience are the | | | | baby's nose clean or better yet, rotate between the |
| flu, a cold, an earache or stomach ache. For parents, | | | | two to keep baby's nose free of obstructions and |
| it's very difficult to see your robust, active and happy | | | | avoid chaffing. Some parents use bulb nasal |
| baby turn miserable and limp. Of course the first thing | | | | extractors but they never worked for me. |
| you should do is contact your pediatrician's office or | | | | To relax and calm your baby you can try a gentle |
| even urgent care or a hospital depending on your | | | | back massage. Also likely touching her skin with the |
| baby's symptoms for treatment advice. Following that, | | | | tips of your fingers is relaxing slowly going up and |
| there likely will be a period of time that you have to | | | | down her legs, head and arms. On her face use one |
| just ride out the symptoms and wait for the medicine | | | | finger barely touching her skin going over her forehead, |
| to kick in and your baby to regain her strength and | | | | eyebrows and cheeks. Avoid this on the tummy or |
| vigor. Comforting a sick, miserable baby can be | | | | neck as it might tickle your baby. Gentle pulling ¼ |
| worrisome and perplexing for a new parent. There are | | | | inch strands of your baby's hair, like you are playing |
| several things you can do to soothe your baby and | | | | with it or twirling it works for some babies. Don't ask |
| make the experience easier for you both. | | | | me why, but it's a distraction I suppose for them. |
| For a stuffy nose, nasal spray works to loosen things | | | | If your baby has gas, position them facing down with |
| up but your baby probably won't like the experience | | | | your hand supporting her head and her body laying |
| one bit. I use a tweezers to pull out boogers that | | | | along your arm with legs startled on either side. The |
| obstruct breathing, done while the baby is asleep. Also, | | | | upside down pressure usually works to relieve gas |
| elevate one end of the crib mattress by putting | | | | and you can walk around with your baby in this |
| something under it so your baby can sleep with her | | | | position. The different view and position might soothe |
| head at the highest part of the incline. Pillows are not | | | | your baby too. |
| recommended for babies under two, so elevating the | | | | If your baby has a temperature, and can drink cool |
| mattress works and is a good solution. If your baby | | | | water (in a sippy cup) offer water frequently to keep |
| falls asleep in your arms and you find it difficult to | | | | your baby hydrated. Your baby will likely enjoy more |
| move her to the crib, sliding her into an almost sitting | | | | cold foods than usual, like yogurt, cold applesauce etc., |
| position in a corner of the couch works well to make | | | | so offer them freely. A cool washcloth on her |
| breathing easier. The down side is that you cannot | | | | forehead will feel good. |
| leave your baby unattended in this position, however | | | | It's always distressing when your baby's sick but |
| it's a small price to pay for a little break from a fussy | | | | hopefully by following doctor's orders and using |
| baby. Warm baths are helpful easing nasal congestion | | | | soothing techniques to relax your baby will help make |
| so don't avoid them if your baby has a cold. Humidifiers | | | | a difficult part of parenting easier. |