Suggest Treatment For Cold In An Infant

Posted on Wed, 12 Nov 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 12 Nov 2014 Answered on

Fri, 5 Dec 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : I have a 5 months old boy baby. I am suffering from cold since last 2 weeks. Since I am breastfeeding, I feel he is suffering from cold and blocked nose, which i can sense from the way he is breathing. Now I am undergoing medication, so will that help my baby also get cured or do I need to take separate medication for him ? Please advise if cold or any health related issues will be transmitted to the baby while breastfeeding ?

Answered by Dr. Deepak Kishore Kaltari (14 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Breast milk is protective

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Greetings of the day
Dear Ms XXXXXXX

Cold or any health issues is not transmitted through breast milk. In fact breast feeding is beneficial and keeps away illness. Close contact and air are route of spread of infection. The amount of drugs secreted in breast milk is too low for it to benefit baby.

As respiratory infection are viral in origin, all that is required is symptomatic treatment . If the following criteria are fulfilled regarding baby then there is no cause for concern

1. Accepts feeds well
2. No fever
3. Respiration normal and quite
4. Baby sleeps well after feed

I would suggest you the following

1. Continue exclusive breastfeeding
2. Normal Saline Nasal drops 3 drops in each nose 6 times a day
3. Keep baby warm and adequately covered
4 . Application of Vicks Vaporub over the clothes on chest will help

Do get back to me if you need any further assistance, will be glad to assist you.

Take care

Best regards
Dr Deepak Kaltari
Consultant Pediatric Surgeon

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Deepak Kishore Kaltari (27 minutes later)

Hi Dr XXXXXXX

Thank you for your suggestion.
Out of the 4 conditions above, all are fine except that I feel his respiration is not normal. While breathing, I can sense the some difficulty. looks similar how we breath when we suffer from cold.

Answered by Dr. Deepak Kishore Kaltari (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
The symptoms are due to nasal blockade due to cold

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Blocked nose in children due to cold may cause some issue with breathing. Instilling Normal saline nasal drops into the nose will relieve the block and maintain the nasal cavity open.

Wishing you and your family a very happy and healthy life

Best Regards
Deepak

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju