What to do when a 1-month-old baby has a cough and stuffy nose?

This is an automatically translated article.

The article is expertly consulted by Master, Resident Doctor Dang Thi Ngoan - Pediatrician - Neonatologist - Department of Pediatrics - Neonatology - Vinmec Ha Long International Hospital.
1-month-old babies have weak resistance, they may have cough and stuffy nose, which are manifestations of upper respiratory tract infection or lower respiratory tract infection. Health experts advise parents to limit the use of drugs when children have coughs and congestion, only use them when prescribed by a doctor.

1. Prioritize measures to take care of children with cough and stuffy nose without using drugs

With 1-month-old babies as well as infants and children of other ages, health experts often recommend that parents prioritize the application of non-drug care measures for babies. Medicines should only be used if these measures are not effective and used under the direction of a doctor.
When we have a cough, we can use over-the-counter medicine for children to reduce symptoms, but currently there are many cough medicines on the market that are contraindicated for children under 2 years old, including 1 month old children because they It can cause serious and even life-threatening side effects.
For infants with respiratory diseases accompanied by cough and stuffy nose, parents can refer to some of the following non-drug care measures:

1.1 Put physiological saline into the nose

Many children have a cough with increased nasal secretions, causing nasal congestion and difficulty breathing, greatly affecting sleep and making it difficult for children to suckle and stop feeding. Dropping physiological saline into the nose will help reduce the amount of mucus in the nose, clear and reduce swelling of the respiratory tract, thus making it easier for children to cough and easier to expel. With a 1-month-old baby, parents can use a nasal aspirator to assist.

1.2 Give your baby more breast milk

For children over 6 months of age, adding water can help reduce mucus in the nose and airways, making it easier for them to breathe and cough. However, babies under 6 months of age should only be breastfed.

1.3 Do not use honey to soothe the baby's throat

Honey helps to soothe the throat and relieve cough, used by many parents when their children have a cough or a stuffy nose. However, note that this method should not be used for children under 1 year of age.

1.4 Elevate your head while lying down

You can use a higher pillow or put a towel on the pillow to raise the baby's head higher, this will help the baby breathe easier and the cough will also reduce.

1.5 Using an air humidifier

Use a moderate humidifier for the bedroom at night, humid air will help children breathe easier, also reduce irritation that causes coughing.

2. Use medicine when a 1-month-old baby coughs a lot

When children have a lot of cough, severe nasal congestion that greatly affects sleep and activities, parents can choose to take medicine to reduce symptoms. If it is not possible to visit a doctor and prescribe medicine, parents can choose over-the-counter cough medicines.

However, special attention should be paid to choosing cough medicines that are indicated for use in infants and young children to be used for 1 month old babies. Cough medicines should be chosen that do not depress the child's central nervous system cough center because it will not destroy the body's natural cough reflex.
In addition, parents also need to closely monitor the progress of the disease, if the child shows signs of serious illness such as cough accompanied by fever, green or yellow sputum, fatigue, shortness of breath, lethargy, stop feeding, stop eating. .. then need to take the baby to the hospital to be examined and prescribed appropriate medication.
Dangerous signs of lower respiratory tract infection such as bronchitis, bronchiolitis or pneumonia can cause complications and death if not treated early. Parents need to pay close attention and monitor the child's expression.
In addition to the selection of Chinese herbal cough medicines, natural herbal products are now also prioritized in the treatment of diseases, because of the advantage of being able to be used longer and safer, especially for babies. birth and young children.
For a 1-month-old child with a cough, parents can refer to an herbal product extracted from ivy leaves, which both helps relieve cough, thins phlegm and relieves bronchospasm. Note the selection of products that can be used for babies.

In addition, it should also be noted not to choose cough medicines advertised as "Traditional Medicines" or "Portable Medicines" with unclear origins, uncertain quality, and untested effectiveness. evidence for children.
Instead, you should choose quality drugs, which have been licensed by the Ministry of Health for circulation and have been proven for effectiveness and safety through scientific studies.
When the symptoms of nasal congestion do not improve, the child may have a medical condition and needs to be examined. The pediatric department at Vinmec International General Hospital is the address for receiving and examining diseases that infants and young children are susceptible to: viral fever, bacterial fever, otitis media, pneumonia in children. ,....With modern equipment, sterile space, minimizing the impact as well as the risk of disease spread. Along with that is the dedication from the doctors with professional experience with pediatric patients, making the examination no longer a concern of the parents.
As a key area of ​​Vinmec Health system, Pediatrics Department always brings satisfaction to customers and is highly appreciated by industry experts with:
Gathering a team of top doctors and nurses in Pediatrics : consists of leading experts with high professional qualifications (professors, associate professors, doctorates, masters), experienced, worked at major hospitals such as Bach Mai, 108.. Doctors All doctors are well-trained, professional, conscientious, knowledgeable about young psychology. In addition to domestic pediatric specialists, the Department of Pediatrics also has the participation of foreign experts (Japan, Singapore, Australia, USA) who are always pioneers in applying the latest and most effective treatment regimens. . Comprehensive services: In the field of Pediatrics, Vinmec provides a series of continuous medical examination and treatment services from Newborn to Pediatric and Vaccine,... according to international standards to help parents take care of their baby's health from birth to childhood. from birth to adulthood Specialized techniques: Vinmec has successfully deployed many specialized techniques to make the treatment of difficult diseases in Pediatrics more effective: neurosurgery - skull surgery, stem cell transplantation. blood in cancer treatment. Professional care: In addition to understanding children's psychology, Vinmec also pays special attention to the children's play space, helping them to have fun and get used to the hospital's environment, cooperate in treatment, improve the efficiency of medical treatment. Doctor Dang Thi Ngoan used to be a lecturer in the Department of Pediatrics - Hai Phong University of Medicine and Pharmacy. Having been granted certificates in Pediatrics at home and abroad such as: Westmead Hospital, Australia; Hai Phong Medical University. Currently, Doctor Ngoan is a Pediatrician - Neonatologist at the Neonatal Department of Vinmec Ha Long International Hospital

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