Why it's worse at night: Body temperature rises naturally in the evening, so a fever that was slight during the day can easily spike during sleep.
Baby cold symptoms
Sneezing. Mild fever (sometimes) Dry cough (which may get worse at night and toward the end of a cold) Sore or scratchy throat (not so easy to spot in a baby)
Body temperature rises at night
For most people, body temperature naturally increases by 1.5°F at night. Combine that with your body's revved up immune system in the evening, and your low-grade fever is more likely to become a full-blown fever at night. This means more achiness and more of that all-around sick feeling.
At night, there is less cortisol in your blood. As a result, your white blood cells readily detect and fight infections in your body at this time, provoking the symptoms of the infection to surface, such as fever, congestion, chills, or sweating. Therefore, you feel sicker during the night.
Lots of coughs get worse at night because the congestion in a child's nose and sinuses drains down the throat and causes irritation while the child lies in bed. This is only a problem if your child is unable to sleep.
The best default position for your baby to be in when they have a cold is upright. This helps for congestion to clear and for breathing to become easier. And, most importantly, it helps them get that vital rest they need so much. To achieve this, consider wearing your baby on your chest while they nap.
Let's clear the air on one thing – cold air doesn't make you sick. In fact, getting fresh air is good for you when you're feeling under the weather. When you're cooped up inside, you're sharing the same air with those around you.
Many people like sleeping in a cool room, but don't make it so cold that you wake up shivering in the middle of the night. When you're feeling sick, you might want to consider raising the temperature a little, rather than letting the thermostat drop. Just don't forget to change it back when you're feeling better.
If symptoms get worse, rather than better, after 3-7 days, you may have acquired a bacterial infection. These symptoms can also be caused by a cold virus other than a rhinovirus.
Early signs of the cold and flu include fever, headache, cough, congestion, sore throat, body aches, chills and/or exhaustion. If you treat your symptoms early enough, you may be able to prevent the virus from spreading to others or becoming worse. The first 24 hours are critical.
The lining of the nose may become red and swollen, and the lymph nodes (glands) in the neck may become slightly enlarged. The symptoms of a cold are usually worst during the first 10 days. However, some children continue to have a runny nose, congestion, and a cough beyond 10 days.
Children's colds
Most colds get better in 5 to 7 days but can take up to 2 weeks in small children. Here are some suggestions for how to ease the symptoms in your child: Make sure your child drinks plenty of fluids. Saline nose drops can help loosen dried snot and relieve a stuffy nose.
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.
Visitors with Illnesses
When it comes to visitors, those who have colds or other respiratory illnesses should not hold your newborn. If they do not have a runny nose, sore throat, or cough, it is ok for them to hold your baby, as long as they wash their hands or use alcohol hand gel prior to holding him/her.
Children can continue their normal activities if they feel well enough to do so. If they have fever or complications, they may need a few days of rest at home. Your child can go to school if they feel well enough to take part in the activities. Children with colds can still play outside.
When someone who is sick coughs, sneezes or talks, he or she might directly spread the virus to your baby. Direct contact. Someone with a cold who touches your baby's hand can spread the cold virus to your baby, who can become infected after touching his or her eyes, nose or mouth.
Cold and flu symptoms such as a blocked nose or cough usually subside after 7-10 days and the absence of these things is quite an obvious indication that you are on the mend.
Symptoms level off and fade: Cold symptoms usually last anywhere from 3 to 10 days. After 2 or 3 days of symptoms, the mucus discharged from your nose may change to a white, yellow, or green color. This is normal and does not mean you need an antibiotic.
Is it dangerous for a baby to sleep with a blocked nose? While it might be comfortable for your baby to sleep with a congested nose, it's considered safe for most children.
Breastfed babies tend to get fewer colds and recover faster with less severe symptoms. Breastmilk is chock full of powerful chemicals called antibodies.
Like adults, babies can breathe through their mouths if they're stuffed up, but a congested baby is a miserable baby. Even once babies sleep through the night, an annoying cold can have them waking up constantly. To help relieve congestion, use a small spritz of an over-the-counter saline spray to lubricate the nose.