Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesTreatmentWhen to See a DoctorPreventionFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Treatment
When to See a Doctor
Prevention
Frequently Asked Questions
The good news is that most newborn colds don’t need treatment and will not progress to anything serious. While no one wants to see their child sick, exposure to viruses like the common cold can be a boon to your child’s immune system. The body will recognize and launch an attack against the germ the next time it invades.
This article will discuss the symptoms of upper respiratory infections in newborns, causes, treatments (including home remedies), and when to see a doctor.
The Common Cold in Babies: What to Know
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Symptoms of a Newborn Cold
The symptoms of a newborn cold are a lot like the symptoms you’ll see in an adult. They include:
Symptoms generally peak on day two or three of the cold, and then gradually improve over the next 10-14 days.
Flu
While the flu (influenza) shares some symptoms with the common cold, it tends to come on quickly and make babies feel sicker. Some flu symptoms to watch for include:
Early Flu Symptoms in Children
Whooping Cough
Whooping cough is highly contagious. Eight of 10 nonimmune people exposed to the germ will be infected.
When the infection occurs in young children, serious health complications can result. About 25% of babies treated for whooping cough will developpneumonia(a lung infection), and 1%–2% will die.
Symptoms of whooping coughcan develop five days to three weeks after exposure to the germ and, at least initially, tend to look a lot like the common cold. Early symptoms include:
Later symptoms include:
Croup
Croup is most often seen in the winter and in children 3 months to 5 years, with most croup cases occurring in kids about 2 years old.
Symptoms of croup include:
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
Respiratory syncytial viruscauses a cold-like illness. In babies under 6 months, it can be dangerous.
In older kids and adults, RSV produces many of the same symptoms of the common cold. But in young babies, the symptoms are a bit different. The only symptoms you’re apt to see are:
Pneumonia
Very young babies (under 1 month) typically don’t cough with pneumonia, but older babies will.Other symptoms to look for include:
Most newborn colds aren’t serious and don’t require medical treatment (but touch base with your healthcare provider if you have any concerns).
Other things to note:
Home Remedies
While you can’t cure your newborn’s cold, you can help ease the symptoms, including the following:
Do Not Give an Infant Honey
Signs of Dehydration in Newborn and Younger Babies
The best way to safeguard your child against respiratory infections like the cold and flu is to practice good personal hygiene, steer clear of people who you know are sick, and get appropriate vaccines for yourself and your child. Steps include:
Summary
Upper respiratory infections such as colds are common in babies. Their immune systems aren’t yet fully developed, which makes it hard for them to fight off these germs.
A Word From Verywell
There isn’t much you can do to make a newborn’s cold go away any faster than Mother Nature intended, but you can help them get more comfortable with some home remedies. Don’t hesitate to call your child’s healthcare provider whenever you have questions or concerns or just want some reassurance.
Frequently Asked QuestionsMost newborn colds resolve in about 10 to 14 days.Whether in a newborn or an adult, a cold can be contagious from one to two days before symptoms arise until they resolve—usually within two weeks.
Most newborn colds resolve in about 10 to 14 days.
Whether in a newborn or an adult, a cold can be contagious from one to two days before symptoms arise until they resolve—usually within two weeks.
19 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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American Academy of Pediatrics.Children and colds.
Sanford Health.Infant colds: What’s normal and what’s not.
UpToDate.The common cold in children: Management and prevention.
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.Pertussis (whooping cough).
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Whooping cough is deadly for babies.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Pertussis (whooping cough): Signs and symptoms.
Cedars Sinai.Croup in children.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Respiratory syncytial virus infection (RSV).
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Respiratory syncytial virus infection (RSV): Symptoms and care.
MedlinePlus.Pneumonia.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Common colds: Protect yourself and others.
Seattle Children’s.Colds (0-12 months).
American Academy of Pediatrics.Acetaminophen dosing tables for fever and pain in children.
American Academy of Pediatrics.Caring for your child’s cold or flu.
Stanford Children’s Health.Common cold in children.
Cedars Sinai.Am I still contagious?
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