Page 117 - Parents Magazine (December 2019)
P. 117
A D V I C E A S Y O U R C H I L D G R O W S
E X T R A !
Kindness
Tips
From Our
Advisors
a few days after the onset of a cold. Other
Help her cough.
Since babies don’t have the muscle signs to watch for include wheezing or
0–12 M O N T H S strength to cough effectively yet, it can be rapid, strained breathing, which may
tough for them to clear phlegm. One way indicate a virus or pneumonia.
to help: Take her into the bathroom and Sources: Michael D. Patrick, M.D., assistant professor
H O W T O turn on the shower to make the air hot of pediatrics at The Ohio State University of Medicine,
in Columbus; Charla Tabet, an early childhood special
Ease Cold and steamy. It will get her nose running, educator for the U.S. Air Force, in Aviano, Italy; Stanley
W. Spinner, M.D., chief medical officer of Texas
loosen the mucus in her throat, and make
Symptoms her coughs more productive. Try doing it Children’s Pediatrics, in Houston; William A. Varley,
M.D., medical director of UPMC Children’s Express
before bed, since mucus tends to drain Care with Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh.
by JENNIFER RAINEY MARQUEZ
into her chest while she’s lying down.
Using a humidifier in her bedroom can
also help, but be sure to keep it out of her
reach and fill it with new water every
Clear out mucus. 1 – 2 Y E A R S
Of all the milestones your baby will day so it doesn’t get moldy.
encounter in his first year, few may be as
heartbreaking as his first cold. For the Watch for warning signs. H O W T O
first six months, babies tend to breathe If your baby’s symptoms seem to be
through their nose, so congestion can getting worse, it may be time to contact Move From
hit them especially hard. The standard your pediatrician. For infants up to Crib to Bed
blue bulb syringe can be too big for your 3 months, any fever over 100.4°F is a
baby’s nostrils, so try the smaller green “call your doctor right away” scenario. by RACHEL RABKIN PEACHMAN
version that’s marketed as an ear syringe. For older babies, look for a fever that lasts
After putting it in his nostril, tilt the tip more than three days or that develops
down slightly so it’s perpendicular to
Look for clues.
his face, and gently push it in. You can The clearest indication that it’s time
also use saltwater nose drops to help to ditch the crib is that your child is
loosen the congestion. Buy some at the climbing over the railing, which could
drugstore, or make your own by mixing a O N E K I N D T H I N G YO U C A N lead to a serious injury. Try to encourage
D O F O R YO U R K I D
quarter teaspoon of salt with eight ounces your little one to stay in his crib by
of water, boiling it for ten minutes, and then “Talk to your baby catching him the moment he starts to
cooling it to room temperature. even if she can’t talk yet. climb. You may also hear (or see) him
She loves the
attention, eye contact, and banging into the railings while he’s
GET MORE mystery of it all.” sleeping, which may mean he’s feeling
AGE-SPECIFIC TIPS cramped in the existing space. One way
Scan this code with —Harold S. Koplewicz, M.D.; to gauge his readiness: See how he does
your phone’s camera Child Mind Institute
to subscribe to napping in someone else’s toddler bed.
our daily newsletter If it goes smoothly, your child is probably
(no app needed).
capable of doing this at home too.
P A R E N T S 115 D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 9
illustration by ROBIN ROSENTHAL
