HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

Suggest Treatment For Cold And Cough In An Infant

Posted on Tue, 17 Oct 2017

Question: Hello Doctor,

I have a 2 weeks old baby. He was 5 lb 13 ounce at the time of birth. I have a question regarding his food. My Wife is having Banana, Orange Juice (Tropicana) and cold water since day 1 post delivery. Request you to advice if she can continue taking these or should avoid Banana, Orange Juice (Tropicana) for few days post delivery. Asking so as I have heard that Mother should avoid cold food items like Cold Juices, Banana etc for 3-4 weeks post delivery.
Also, looks like my baby has little cough. He coughs around 4-5 times a day and sometimes we feel cough like sound when he breathes. Cough like sound in breathing happens for 30 seconds - 1 minute and stops. Please advise if it normal for babies to cough little bit.

Thanks & Regards,
Ashish XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Arun (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Avoid chilled items

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for writing to us.
Let me answer both your queries.
1. It is absolutely ok to take orange or fruit juices or tropicana. but better to avoid take it chilled as it can cause cough and throat infection in mother which can later spread to baby.
2. Occasional cough like 4to 5 times a day as you described is seen often in many babies. Usually no treatment is required. Frequent feeding every 2 to 3 hours should be fine.
However if the symptoms worsen or he gets breathing difficulty or fever , consult your doctor to get his throat and chest examined.

Wishing your child speedy recovery.
Dr Arun

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Arun (34 hours later)

Hello Doctor,

Thanks for the advice.
I have one last question. We are observing below pattern in baby's bowel movement :

Day 1 - 4 : Bowel movement as expected in number and color.
Day 5 - 10 : No Bowel Movement.
Day 11 - 12 : Bowel Movement once a day and green (Mehendi Color) in Color.
Day 13 : No Bowel Movement.
Day 14 : Bowel Movement 2 times in night but again green (Mehendi Color) in Color.

I am little worried if the stool should have turned yellow by now. As it is still green, Can this be something to worry about or if it is due to the 4-5 days duration when the bowel movement didn't happen.

Thanks & Regards,
Ashish

Answered by Dr. Arun (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Normal

Detailed Answer:
It is normal at this age for such bowel movements.
Green and yellow are acceptable.
Babies sometimes don't pass stools for 5 days and sometimes pass multiple times in a day.
Both are normal variation.
no treatment required.
Regards
Dr Arun

Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana