Symptoms of a cold in an infant generally start with a low-grade fever and nasal congestion. Infants get all plugged up inside and then two to three days later generally start having a lot of post-nasal drip, increasing a cough and causing a runny nose.
Other symptoms of a common cold in a baby may include:
The hardest week with a newborn is often considered the first six weeks, especially weeks 2-3, due to extreme sleep deprivation, constant feeding demands, learning baby's cues, postpartum recovery, and a peak in inconsolable crying (the "witching hour"), making parents feel overwhelmed as they adjust to a new, exhausting routine. While the first week is tough, the challenges often intensify as the baby becomes more alert but still fussy, with major developmental hurdles like cluster feeding and increased fussiness peaking around 6-8 weeks.
The 7 key danger signs for newborns, often highlighted by organizations like the WHO, are not feeding well, convulsions, fast breathing, severe chest indrawing, lethargy/unconsciousness (movement only when stimulated), high or low temperature, and jaundice (yellow skin/soles) or signs of local infection like an infected umbilical stump, requiring immediate medical attention.
People who become infected with RSV show symptoms within four to six days after the virus enter the body. Initial signs of RSV are similar to mild cold symptoms, including sneezing, runny nose, fever, cough and decrease in appetite. Very young infants may be irritable, fatigued and have breathing difficulties.
4 ways to tell you have RSV, not a cold.
Signs of Respiratory Distress in Children
Signs of serious illness in a baby or toddler
The newborn 5-5-5 rule is a postpartum guideline for new mothers to focus on healing and bonding in the first 15 days home, dividing rest into 5 days in bed, followed by 5 days on the bed, and then 5 days near the bed, encouraging minimal chores, visitors, and activity to prioritize recovery from childbirth and establishing the new family unit, drawing on traditional postpartum rest practices.
Crying or irritability that does not get better with cuddling and comfort. A sleepy baby who cannot be awakened enough to nurse or bottle-feed. Signs of sickness (such as cough, diarrhea, pale skin color) Poor appetite or weak sucking ability.
The 2-hour rule for babies means they shouldn't stay in a car seat (or travel system seat) for more than two hours at a time, whether in or out of the car, because the semi-upright position can strain their developing spine and restrict their breathing, increasing the risk of low oxygen levels, especially for newborns and preemies. For long journeys, parents should take breaks every two hours to take the baby out, allow them to lie flat for a while, stretch, and feed, ensuring they get proper head/neck support and circulation.
The first hour after birth, the “Golden Hour”, when a healthy baby is calmly placed skin-to-skin on the mother's chest, not only facilitates a smooth transition from the womb to the outside world, stabilising the baby physiologically, but also offers a unique opportunity for the mother and baby to connect emotionally ( ...
The 5-3-3 rule is a loose guideline for structuring a baby's sleep schedule: 5 hours of wake time before the first nap, 3 hours of wake time before the second nap, and 3 hours before bedtime.
Since babies have not yet developed immunity to many common infections, they are likely to develop between six and eight colds during their first year of life. Factors like being around older children or being in a daycare center can cause your infant to suffer even more cold periods than that.
Symptoms of a cold in an infant generally start with a low-grade fever and nasal congestion. Infants get all plugged up inside and then two to three days later generally start having a lot of post-nasal drip, increasing a cough and causing a runny nose.
Stages of a Cold
Sore throat: This is often the first symptom to appear and can be quite uncomfortable. Runny nose: Mucus production starts. Fatigue: You might feel more tired than usual and have less energy. Sneezing: Frequent sneezing is a common response to the virus.
If you're a parent of a newborn, you may be wondering how soon you can take them out in public. Experts generally advise waiting a few months to ensure the infant's immune system is developed.
Common health problems in babies include colds, coughs, fevers, and vomiting. Babies also commonly have skin problems, like diaper rash or cradle cap. Many of these problems are not serious. It is important to know how to help your sick baby, and to know the warning signs for more serious problems.
Infant Sleep
The most common symptoms of RSV include:
Signs of dehydration in a baby may include:
Symptoms of a Cold
A bluish color around the mouth, on the inside of the lips, or on the fingernails may happen when a child is not getting as much oxygen as needed. The color of the skin may also appear pale or gray. Grunting. A grunting sound can be heard each time the child exhales (breathes out).
One of the main reasons babies grunt in their sleep is digestive issues. This type of tummy trouble isn't really anything to be worried about, though. It's most often just your newborn's body learning how to coordinate muscle movement and break down breastmilk or formula.
Grunting. Flaring of the nostrils with each breath. Bluish tone to a baby's skin and lips. Pulling inward of the muscles between the ribs when breathing.