Advise... My 12 Month Old Has Cough and Runny Nose

If the cough gets worse don't be afraid to go to the doctor. My daughter was allergic to Amoxicillan as well so the doctor just prescribes something without penicillin in it. I wouldn't wait if he just had two ear infections especially since you say he has mucus build up again. You can use saline drops they really help to thin out the mucus. Also I used to elevate the crib mattress by putting a foam wedge or blanket under it. It will help him to breathe easier. Good luck I hope he feels better soon.

Tylenol should only be given if he has a fever. If no fever the tylenol wil do nothing for him, he probably just has a cold and there is nothing anyone can do. Just comfort him the best you can, keep him cozy and relaxed, try to keep his nose clear the best you can. Give him his favorite foods, and chicken soup.

Get some Vicks VapoRub to put on your wee one. Before getting him dressed for bed after a nice warm bath, put a little on his chest, a good amount on his back, and coat the bottoms of his feet with it as well. Then put socks on his feet to sleep in too. He will sleep great! There is now a 'Baby Vicks' with a lovely lavender scent, but the original Vicks is great too. I hope he is feeling better very soon.
Blessings,
D.

hi - My 13 month old just went through the same thing. I avoided the Tylenol since he never ran a fever. Instead, plenty of liquids, humidifier and time. (I also had a big pot of hot water with eucalyptus simmering the whole day.)

You don't really need to give him tylenol if he doesn't have a fever. For the coughing, since he is 12 months old, you can now give him honey, which is better than any medicine for soothing his throat. I give it to my daughter diluted in warm water. For sneezing and runny noses, use a saline solution to loosen the mucus and use a "bulb" to get the mucus out. When sleeping, elevate his head with a pillow or wedge to help the mucus flow out of his nose.

Go to the Doctor and make sure that the cough is not croop or bronchitis. My boys had croop at 12 months old and they needed meds from the doctor. Yellow mucus is a sign of sometype of infection. I wouldn't play around, just go to the doctor for his health and your peace of mind.

Just saline drops in the nose. Bulb Suringe. COOL humidifier.

I would not give him tylenol unless he has a high fever for over a day. There really isn't any pain/fever associated with a cold that tylenol will help with. It can take him longer to get better with tylenol in his system, slowing down the natural healing process.

Running a humidifier will help.

Don't give him cow's milk, it promotes the making of mucus and that is part of the problem with a cold. No sugar either, as it brings a sick immune system down even more.

Lots of water and fresh vegetables will do him wonders.

Saline solution squirted up his nose will help to break up the mucus and get it running out, if it isn't already. Steamy bathroom or warm bath with eucalyptus always helps my daughter.

Good luck, it is so hard to hear that sad cough and wipe that yucky nose all day isn't it?
P.

*lots of fluids- extra feedings/ water
*infant tylenol
*elevate the head of the crib- put a pillow under the mattress
*COOL mist humidifier- NOT WARM!!!

good luck

E.,
SudaCare makes a nighttime mentholated plug in that is wonderful, you place the pad in the plug in and plug it in then either change it in the morning or unplug it and put an new one in the next time you want to use it. I am pretty sure Vick's makes one as well. You can get both at Wal-Mart.
I have found that the humidifier only causes mold spores and can make things worse. If you want you can bring the baby into the bathroom and run the shower for 20 minute, the hot steam will definitely help, I do that when the kids have croop. Hope the baby feels better soon.
Hugs,
T.

Don't give the infant tylenol and motrin unless he really needs it. My doctor always advises that if they are not dealing well and feel aweful give meds but if coughing and runny nose but acting mostly fine don't give the meds. He even said that a fever is a good thing within limits and if the fever keeps getting brought down and then goes up it makes the germs grow better! It sounds like you are doing well with this. The humidifier helps and give him lots of fluids. My daughter started getting ice pops at that age when sick to help keep her hydrated and loves them. Hopefullly soon you will be on the upswing of the sickness!!! A.

Definitely use a humidifier and saline spray for the nose frequently. They don't ususally like it but it really helps. I have twin boys a little older and they are now very use to getting their nose sprayed. Just watch after a week or so. One of mine developed an ear infection due to all the fluid build up. If you notice fever or ear pulling, check in with the DR. Mine had colds for 10-12 days. Of course in my case one just passes it back to the other. Tylenol is not needed unless their is pain or a fever. But an infant that age can also get infant motrin when it is needed.

Good Luck

Sorry to hear that he's under the weather. When my little guy's nose gets stuffy, I use a little Vicks on his chest area and on his back. that seems to alieviate him a little. Try to keep him elevated while he's sleeping too. I hope he gets better!

Our doctor lets us give our son (12 months also) 1/2 tsp. of Benadryl at night only. During the day he can also have Motrin which actually works better than Tylenol in my opinion. You should also put saline drops in his nose and then use your aspirator as you seem to have already done to suck out the boogies.

Otherwise, lots of liquids and give him whatever he will eat without a fight. Lots of rest. It seems that everything has to run its course.

/

I use saline drops to loosen stuff up and then the bulb to suck it out. Also, at night I use a rub called "little colds" from babies r us... it's just like vicks vapor rub.

However, if the mucus turns dark yellow or green, i would take him back to the dr. They can try another anti-biotic if he was allergic to the amox.

Hi E.,

Have you taken him to the doctor. This pass week my son had to same problem, which caused an ear infection. However, he was given an antibiotic. And for his coughing, sneezing and runny nose the doctor had given him this awesome cold medicine. She said it was way better then the over the counter stuff. He did really well on it. I do not have it on me but I will try and get the name of the cough syrup. :)

baby vicks on his chest and feet. Saline drops for his nose before and after using bulb.

Take him into the bathroom while you shower and let the steam help clear his nose. Use saline drops in his nose (not spray - he is too young for spray, it will irritate his mucus membranes). Wipe his nose with cloth instead of kleenex so you don't irritate the skin. Only give tylenol or motrin if he develops a high fever or seems extremely miserable. Suction his nose only twice a day, as more often will irritate his mucus membranes and produce more snot.

Many people claim the "milk builds mucus" issue is actually a myth. In my experience it only builds mucus if your son is allergic to milk (in which case he wouldn't be drinking it anyway).

A cold in a baby this age will last 10 days. If he develops a fever or if the cold lasts more than 10 days, take him to the doctor to make sure he doesn't have an ear infection or upper respiratory infection. I hope he feels better soon.