Handy Hint

To prevent sore noses when your child has a cold, rub some vaseline on to his skin.

A blocked nose can make it hard for your baby to breathe while she's feeding. To help clear her passages, run a hot bath and take your baby into the bathroom - the steam will help break down the mucus.

Another way to clear a blocked nose is to apply a drop of salty water to the nostrils. It's best to ask a health visitor to do this. A nasal spray isn't suitable for babies. At night, you can try putting a pillow under your baby's mattress at the head of the cot. This helps to drain a blocked nose and may also prevent coughing.

Did You Know?

7 out of 10 sore throats are caused by viruses for which there's no effective treatment other than painkillers.

Although your baby can't tell you, a cold will probably make her feel ill for two or three days. When she has a cold, laying her to sleep in a warm, but well-ventilated room will help. Babies are more likely to get a feverish cold than adults. You can bring down your baby's temperature by sponging her forehead with tepid water. After the first two or three days, your baby will probably feel much better even though a blocked nose and cough may drag on for a week or two.

Colds can't be cured, but the symptoms can be treated. However, hardly any adult remedies are suitable for babies. Your chemist can give you advice on a range of treatments specially for infants, including paracetamol syrups for babies over three months and vapour rubs.

A vist to the doctor is usually unnecessary but if you are in any doubt that your baby has more than just a cold, see a GP anyway. A cold can turn into a more serious chest infection or cause earache, and the usual symptoms of a cold can also be the first signs of other illnesses, including chicken pox, measles and whooping cough.