Baby Parenting Guide

How to help a newborn baby sleep at night that has a cold?

Our four-week-old baby seems to have caught his mummy's cold and so he is not sleeping well when he gets stuffed up, and it seems to get worse at night and when he cries. Is there anything we can do to help him sleep and relieve his congestion? Apart from his cold he seems well enough and is eating well.

Public Response to How to help a newborn baby sleep at night that has a cold?

1. when my ten month old daughter was about 5 weeks old she was the same i went out and bought some 'karvol; plug ins these release vapours into the room safely. they really work too. i hope this helps there is nothing worse than a poorly baby.
2. you can gets some stuff for baby's called snuffle babe, it's like Vick's vapo rub, but for babies, or you could try putting some olbus oil in some warm water in his room at night or you could try carvol that you put on his bed.
3. use saline drops in his nose to clear the mucus. Let him sleep in a more upright position like in a swing or bouncer. Run a humidifier in the room where he sleeps also check with the doctor especially if he starts to cough.
4. i would suggest getting a vaporriser from the store will put mositure in the air and help relief from a cold check with a doctor first always to make sure its right for you also holding a child is always the best bet kids cry alot when they get sick also check with your doctor about getting the flu shot for him
5. Get some Karvol (its like oblis oil) works a treat, my daughter had a cold when she was afew months old, it cleared her right up.
6. You could try placing a pillow under the top of his matress, or placing two bricks, making sure they can't move, under the top two legs of the cot. This raises his head and makes it easier to breathe. Another one is saline drops, don't know if you're baby's too young. I'd give your health visitor a call she'll tell you the best way. All of the above have worked for me.
7. snuffle babe.....check out what age, but im sure babies from 1 month can use it, its brilliant, if not then a wet towell on a radiator at night, the steam works wonderful. hope your little one gets better soon.
8. Buy carvol capsules and put a drop on his pillow and on his sleep suit just before you put him down for the night, its like vicks for babies works a treat, helps with congestion and makes them sleep better infact sometimes i even use this on my own pillow. Good luck and happy christmas x
9. Hi, I am sorry your baby is unwell. I would contact your Health Visitor for advice as decongestant drops and oils are not recommended for babies under 3 months. Alternatively you could phone NHS direct for advice. Regards JJ
10. you can try getting saline solution from boots and using a nasal decogester, so that when the baby does wake up you can clear it's nose. otherwise if you don't already swaddle the baby firmly in a blanket as they like to be constricted (like in the womb).
11. The best way for a sick child to sleep is with his mommy. That, surprisingly, is the best way for any infant to sleep. Sleeping with mommy, she can hold him and tilt his chest upward while sleeping, which will help him breath. Also, stand with him in a small bathroom with only the hot water of the shower running and the bathroom door closed. You'll be enveloped in billows of steam and this will help the baby breathe better. Bottom line - baby evolved to sleep with mommy. Baby, naturally, does best sleeping with mommy. (So does the whole family.) Poor baby, hope he's better soon.
12. You could try propping him up a little, and get some Karvol from the chemist. It is euculyptus drops, which you sprinkle on his clothing, which somehow seems to clear the nose! I have used it with all four of my kids and it definately helps! The fact that he is eating is a very good sign, so the Karvol will help!! Hope the little chap feels better soon, not to mention Mum!! Take care.
13. Prop a folded towel or a flat pillow under his mattress (moses or cot ) so he`s not lying flat that will help his breathing and also there is a babies vapour rub called snuffle babe you could rub on his little back and chest .. Take him into the kitchen when you`re cooking as the steam is the best thing for him . Poor little lad ... good luck Have a lovely christmas with your baby ..
14. Just because he seems well enough, you have neglected the fact that you have to take him to the paediatrician, all because you want to sleep well too!
15. I agree with most of the others - Vicks, Karvol and a more upright position is about the best you can do. And let nature takes it course - welcome to the sleepless world of parenthood.
16. I know it is very difficult to manage a small baby... try some home medicines like ginger + honey juice, but very little... even you can give him little honey to click... try vicks or even little ova incense works, it removes the cough and cold out and the baby can relax..
17. karvol everyone best freind with young babies and children i have been using on my son since he was a wee lad and still using now at seven. or you could use menthol crystals in some hot water leave them in the room to vapourise before ya try and settle littlen down.
18. When my newborn had a cold, besides using saline drops and all, i used to sleep her next to me on a pillow. i would bescared to leave her in her crib with one though since its dangerous, but i would let her fall asleep next to me, the elevated head helps. If you don;t like the idea of that, another thing our nurse an ped suggested is to put a pillow BENEATH her mattress in the crib...that way she's safely elevated and it helps.
19. There is very little available until they are 3 months old, my pharmacist explained that products can damage immature lungfs, so to be on the safe side... Make sure his room is not too dry, try leaving a bowl of water by the radiator. We also found that slightly elevating babies head while sleeping helped - a towel or 2 under the head end of his mattress. Hope this helps and you get some sleep!
20. rub a little vapour run ion his tummy, and a little oh his sheet, that always works for my little bundle xxx
21. get some eucalyptus oil and place a few drops on a cotton wool pad and then place on radiator in his room the oil will heat up and release vapour this also works wonders with lavender oil and that helps him to sleep both of these options are very safe and also don't cost much money
22. congratulations on having your new baby, when my children were small, before bed time , take them into the bathroom, run the hot water, & the condensation helps clear there little nose´s, you can also by ,other baby product´s , but health store´s have little tubs , with eucalyptus vapour jelly that you leave in the room this helps not only you but your little one aswell
23. pop a thin pillow under his mattress so he is a little upright, that way the mucos won't build up in his throat
24. My little girl is bunged up now, what we do is put a spoonful of vapour rub in a bowl of boiling water and put it about a foot away from her, it works within minutes and keeps her little nose free all night. You could also put the tiniest amount on his chest, it's not recommended for under 5's but a tiny amount wont hurt.
25. Try raising the cot a few inches at the opposite end to his feet. Fill a bowl with boiling water, cut open a Karvol capsule, and add this to the bowl. Place the bowl near the cot (obviously not so close that the baby can touch it). The vapours should ease congestion and the raised position should aid breathing.
26. SOrry to hear about your baby. This answer is maybe longish but i hope it helps. HE should be with mummy as much as poss. because he is so very young and vulnerable and being with her will calm him down a lot. Keep him a bit upright - i know it is hard because his neck is soft so as much as he can take. Use saline drops - drip a few in each nostril while his head is tilted back and then turn him on his tummy and liquid should come right out. Also some baby shops sell these little pumps which can suck out the saline and mucus - quite effective. Boil some chamomile and put it in a bowl and near his bed - this also helps congestion. Finally some karvol or similar product - put some on a cloth or on his pyjamas high near his neck - the vapour will reach his nose and soothe him. It is important to clear the nose to prevent an ear infection. Good luck
27. A nice big bowl of really hot water somewhere not too near to the cot, but in the room, the steam should help open the airways and make breathing alot easier. Hope this helps, sweet dreams.
28. When mine were babies you used to be able to get a vapour liquid that you could put onto the sheets in the cot so the baby was breathing in the vapour through the night, also a vapour release essence for the room, like a plug in. Otherwise its the usual vick chest rub etc
29. Prop his cot/moses basket up. Try a couple of yellow pages, make sure it's secure though. That way the congestion won't build up in his sinuses.
30. To be totally honest you cant do anything.as long as you give the bay cal poll which can help
31. when my 7 month old had a cold 3 weeks ago the health visitor told me to keep the radiators down with a window open as they dry the air, also i found that she slept better in her car seat, that way she was kept upright which made it easier for her to breath. i also rubbed some easy breath on a blanky and put it by the side of her, but you'd need to check what age you can use it from.
32. karvol ...its a medicine available from any chemist or shopping centre e.g sainsburys and you can get little liquid capules that u cut the tip and squirt drops on to the babys bed clothing ect or theres the plug ins also available but i would reccomend the karvol capules as my mum has been using them on me ever since i was little lol gd luck hope your baby gets better and congratz on ur baby xxx
33. You could try putting a bowl with boiling water & menthol crystals in the room. You can buy these cheap at the chemist. You also get something called Karvol for babies which is the same sort of idea but you put it on the "pillow" area near the head.
34. When he goes to sleep, elevate his head by sticking either a wedge under his mattress and then use a humidifier to keep the liquid in his passages liquid...since he is such a lil one....call the pedi if you haven't already....esp since this week may be difficult to get kiddies in to the doctor and make sure that you have an after hour number from your doctor if you need it while all the offices are closed for holidays. For some reason, we always needed a doctor whenever our offices were closed. Best of luck and hope that you lil one gets well...
35. They have baby safe theraputic washes that is gentle enough and will open his chest. Sort of like vicks vapor rub for adults but mild enough for babies. You could also go really natural and get some peppermint oil and lavender oil and put one drop of each in his bath water at night. Or Johnson and Johnson soothing baby vapor rub if you want to buy it from the store. Also showering with the baby the steam (not too hot) can clear up congestion.
36. steam is very good.when my daughter was a baby she always had colds and then asthma. we used to run hot water in the bathroom when it was steamy took her in for a bit. also you can get air purifiers they help to.as she got older i used to put olbas oil in it,good luck its not nice when baby is like this i have put drops of olbas oil on a tissue and put it near baby not within reach though as they could choke on it.
37. I slightly raise my babys matress in his cot so he is not lying flat and you can buy baby olbus oil which you use just a tiny bit. You can also buy special dummies that you can put olbus oil in. hope this helps
38. put a few drops of BRANDY in the milk bottle
39. Have you tried snufflebabe or baby vick available from your chemist - remember to read instructions. Also try lifting the head end of the cot slightly so that any mucus doesnt stay in nose but dribbles down throat into stomach - remember to make sure cot is safe though and not at risk from tipping. You could always just put a folded towel under mattress at head end which would keep cot stable. Obviously you only need to elevate head by a couple of inches. Give baby paracetamol if has a temperature - speak to pharmacist for advice. See GP if worsens or baby becomes unwell. Ensure he is taking enough milk so that he does not become dehydrated. Another good call is NHS Direct/Health Visitor/Midwife for advice. Hope he and your wife get better soon.
40. My suggestion is karvol drops on a tissue placed next to the cot/bed...... stick something under the mattress at the head end to tilt it up slightly...... warm bath before bedtime, putting hot water in the sink to make the room steamy (assuming you dont bath the baby in the sink of course!).... and if the babys really bunged up you can buy a little thing at the chemist, where you insert one end just into his nostril and then suck hard on the other end.... yucky i know but it helps clear their noses (and a mouthful of snotty stuff is better than having them up crying all night) bunny
41. At bathtime, use Baby Johnsons breathe easy body wash; use karvol either dabbed on the pjs or you can now get a plug in vapouriser and keep the nose clear of mucus. If it continues, though, I'd suggest popping the little one down to the doctors, cos I'm not sure when they can start having calpol and colds can lead to temperatures in the munchkins. Good Luck x
42. the same thing happened to our daughter at just a few weeks old. the doctor gave her drops which is a salt water solution which dissolves the mucas from the nose which then passes down the back of the nose.try propping her up ever so slightly so the mucas dosn't run down her throat whilst asleep which can be startling for a new born.and of course lots of cuddles!!
43. Id keep an extra eye on him utill he is better.
44. call the doctor and see if he can prescribe anything for the congestion. he may jsut prescribe dimatap, but with a baby that young you should call the doctor before giving anhy medicines liek that. as for the sleeping , try placing blankets and towels under the matress (if using a basinet or crib) to sort of make the baby lay with thier head above the rest of them, in a reclining position. this will help keep them from being so congested as the sleep. my son has had 3 colds and hes only 5 months old. i took him to the ER the first cold because i was worried about RSV and other stuff. they prescribed dimatap. Remember colds are cycled in three---- 3 days coming, 3 days here, and 3 days leaving. the middle three are the worst and the last three are the easiest. just watch for fevers and shakes and appitie loss ps. use a humidifier too.