When it comes to parenting, there are a few truths that are universally accepted as just part of the experience.
You will get less sleep, 99 per cent of your camera roll will be your children.. and unfortunately, your child WILL get sick.
Not only are they going to get sick, they’re probably going to get sick a lot.
And like everything else with parenting, there’s no easing into it. But the good news is you’ll feel like a pro pretty quickly, and before you know it, you’ll be handing out unsolicited advice to other new parents. Maybe you’ll even convince the editor of a women's media company to let you write a whole article about it.
After my daughter experienced her first cold, there were six things I learned.
1. Have your medical kit ready
Starting with the absolute basics, before they even get sick, you need to stock up on all the essential medical items. The last thing you want to be doing with a sick baby is rushing round pharmacies and chasing sold out products. I didn’t make this mistake the second time.
Beyond your usual medical supplies, here are my go-to list for colds:
- A thermometer: baby’s temperature need to be closely monitored when unwell.
- Paracetamol: for pain and to help control temperatures.
- Eye wipes: to clear out any gunk before a sniffle leads to an eye infection.
- A soothing, non-fragranced cream: for dry and red noses.
- Small washcloths: to be soaked and used to cool a hot forehead.
A nasal spray is also a good thing to have up your sleeve.
FLO Baby Saline Nasal Spray is a sterile, preservative-free saline that's gentle and since it's non-medicated, can be used as often as needed. It's suitable for newborns to help clear congested little noses, so babies can breathe and therefore feed more easily.
It also sprays at any angle — yep, any angle — which is a huge tick, because you know, as kids grow they can be a little (read: very) chaotic and sometimes love to hang upside down just for the hell of it.
2. Keep feeding and offering feeds
My babies alternated between non-stop comfort feeding and complete disinterest when they had a cold. Either way, the best approach is to keep offering feeds as dehydration is one of the biggest risks.
My local family nurse explained that when they’re sick, feeds are likely to take longer due to all the congestion, but to persevere.
If you're breastfeeding, remember that all that extra feeding takes a toll on us too. Keep your hydration levels up and keep your snacks handy.
3. Elevate their head
Whether they’re in the cot, bouncer or pram, a slight elevation makes a huge difference when your baby is congested.
I also found the baby carrier can be a lifesaver. Helps keep baby close? Check. Keeps congested baby upright? Check. Gives you 15 minutes of peace to make lunch? Check.
4. Steam is your friend
When everything is damp and snotty, my instinct is to dry things up. But thankfully my mothers' group alerted me to the benefits of a steamy shower with my baby to loosen up the congestion and reset everyone’s mood.
Because we’re all about responsible water use, another option is to get a vaporiser. This has been one of our best purchases — we still pop it on when our preschooler is stuffy or has a cough.
5. Learn their noises, and watch YouTube
If you’re new to babies (I hadn’t changed a nappy before having my own child), the noises a newborn makes can be equally hilarious or deeply concerning. But when they're sick, it's always usually the latter, and that's when it's important to listen in.
Now brace yourself for this very technical explanation as to why.
Their tiny chests and narrow nasal passages result in very different sounds when they cough compared to the noises full sized adults like you and I make. Similar to how a party whistle doesn’t sound like a clarinet.
A friend described her newborns first cough as a “caca” sound, and I think she nailed it.
Jump on YouTube and familiarise yourself with the different types of infant coughs, especially more serious illnesses like croup and whooping, so you know when to escalate to a doctor or GP.
6. Make yourself a priority too
Make sure you protect and look after yourself too. Reminder if you’re reading this in the middle of your baby’s first cold: you need to be well and rested to provide good care.
This can start before the cold hits: make sure you’re up to date with vaccinations and your grown-up medicine kit is stocked.
Once the cold hits, call in your support crew so you can sleep, shower and get out for a walk at least once every day.
The hardest thing for me was learning to let go of my precious routine, the structure that gives me control over the chaos of early parenting.
Remind yourself that this is temporary and use the time at home to catch up on a series or listen to an audiobook.
7. Ditch the guilt
Parent guilt, mum guilt, call it what you like. It’s hard to overcome, but it’s not warranted.
Babies are going to get sick as their immature immune systems get used to the world and strengthen in response. Letting myself off the hook was the hardest but best lesson of all.
As parents we can’t prevent our baby’s first cold but with the right prep, we can absolutely handle it.
FLO Baby Saline Nasal Spray helps clear a runny and blocked nose quickly, gently and easily.
Always read the label and follow the directions for use.
Feature Image: Supplied.