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Find out how to treat your baby's cold, including how to handle a stuffy nose and when to call your doctor.
Stock up
Get supplies before that first cold hits – saline drops, a rubber bulb syringe, fever-reducing medicine, a thermometer, and a humidifier are helpful.
Make the call
If your baby is under 3 months old, call the doctor at the first sign of a cold, such as a runny nose, a cough, or a fever.
For older babies
Call if there's major fussiness, fever, dehydration, worsening cough or congestion, labored breathing, or symptoms lasting longer than a week.
Help your baby breathe easy
Use saline drops and a rubber bulb syringe or other nasal suction device to clear mucus from your baby's stuffy nose.
Heads up
Your baby may sleep better if his or her head is elevated. Try placing a couple of towels underneath one end of the crib mattress (not in the crib!).
Banish dry air
A humidifier will release moisture into the air, which will help loosen mucus and ease your baby's congestion.
Hydrate
Give your baby additional nursing sessions or bottles, or – if your baby is older than 4 months – try a few ounces of water in a sippy cup.
Protect yourself
Wash your hands often to avoid catching your baby's germs!
Download as a PDF
Guide to Firsts: Baby's first cold
See our whole Guide to Firsts series
