Watching your infant struggle with a cold is just the worst. They’re congested and miserable and can’t even blow their nose, let alone communicate how they’re feeling. And as if baby’s first cold wasn’t stressful enough, living through a pandemic and a children’s Tylenol shortage means that every cough, sniffle or sneeze can send you doom-spiraling. You’re desperate for a magical medicine that will make everything better, but it either doesn’t exist or the shelves are bare. (On the bright side, at least COVID vaccines are now available for babies 6 months and up.)
So if you’re scared and stressed watching your baby struggle to fight yucky germs, we get it—this can be an exhausting time for parents, but we’re here to help.
What is the average age of baby’s first cold?
If your baby is already showing cold symptoms like a runny nose, a mild fever, sneezing or coughing, then it’s likely they have their first cold. But don’t panic—according to the AAP, most children get eight to 10 colds before they turn 2. Unfortunately, no matter how many precautions you take, they’re bound to come down with a cold sooner or later. Also, as the National Library of Medicine explains, there’s a reason it might seem like your little one has one continuous cold all fall and winter long. That’s because these seasons are worse for cold and flu viruses due to kids being indoors and therefore, in closer contact with each other for longer periods of time. The more kids are cooped up in one room, breathing, sneezing or coughing on one another and touching the same toys as other kids, the more likely that a cold or flu virus will spread.
How to tell if your baby has a cold
Your little one will likely still have good energy and appetite but may present with any combination of the following:
Symptoms may include:
- Cough
- Congestion
- Runny nose
- Sore throat
- Possible low-grade fever
Baby’s first cold can be rough—both on baby and on you! It’s less than fun to see your little one in distress, even when it’s simply from the common cold. But not to worry. In most cases, colds run their course in a matter of days without progressing to anything worse, and we’re here to help you soothe those sniffles with our favorite products that effectively fight germs. Though we can’t promise a magical fix, we can promise that these items will help soothe and comfort your babe when they’re not feeling their best.
Related: Why the AAP wants kids to get a flu shot before Halloween this year
There’s more to treating colds than baby cold medicine—here are 11 other products to have on hand for baby’s first cold. Best of luck, mama!
Our favorite products for baby's first cold
Kinsa
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$24.98
We know that fevers (especially baby’s first fever) can be incredibly scary for everyone, but let’s take a deep breath and remember: fever is the body’s natural response to infection. It’s definitely not fun, but generally no cause for worry. That said, always reach out to your child’s pediatrician with questions or if something feels off to you. (We love the Parents’ Guide to Fevers infographic from the Cleveland Clinic for a quick and easy reference for all things fever, btw.)
Now that that’s out of the way… you’re going to need an accurate way to take baby’s temperature. Ear, forehead, and oral thermometers are great for older kiddos, but for little ones under a year, a rectal thermometer is the best and most accurate choice. (Momlife is endlessly glamorous, isn’t it?)
We’re smitten with this digital, smartphone-compatible option—it’s accurate + easy to use, FDA-cleared, affordable, and best of all keeps a record of its readouts and offers guidance on what to do next. (And when they’re older and more reluctant, the app includes a bubble game and Sesame Street mode to keep them happily distracted.)
Earth Mama
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$18.99
When high temps hit your little one, reach for the Earth Mama calming lavender baby lotion to put them at ease. Made of a pure essential oil blend of organic vanilla and lavender, this lotion not only moisturizes babies of all ages, but it also aids in lulling them to sleep.
Munchkin
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$7.23
The medicator dispenses liquid medicine at a safe flow rate for baby that minimizes choking and coughing. The design bypasses taste buds so the chances of spitting are lessened for medicine that goes down easily. It also comes in a variety of colors, so you’re sure to find something that pleases your picky toddler.
Canopy
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$135
A humidifier that actually looks chic? We never thought we’d see the day. And one that’s dubbed the “world’s cleanest humidifier” at that! The no-mist design puts out filtered, hydrated air to moisturize skin and soothe baby’s breathing while the built-in diffuser fills the nursery with calming scents thanks to pure essential oil blends. (Their Rise scent is a blend of cool eucalyptus and sweet orange that’s perfect for cold and flu season!) Proprietary technology which uses a paper-based filter and embedded UV lights make it the only mold-inhibiting humidifier on the market—talk about breathing easier, right? Additionally, the unit is quite easy to clean and even dishwasher safe. (#Blessed)
Need more options? Check out our best baby humidifiers round-up!
erbavivia
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$20
This chest balm by erbaviva is an excellent choice for babies with sensitive skin. Other chest balms and rubs often include lavender, which might smell nice, but could also be skin irritant. Sniffles Chest Balm, however, is made with essential oils of eucalyptus, tea tree, and myrrh, which are known to be immune boosting, lend powerful antiviral and antibacterial properties, and are gentle to baby’s soft skin.
Munchkin
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$15.41
When your little one isn’t feeling well, they usually want all the snuggles. Munchkin’s Colic + Fever Rescue Kit makes snuggling even more therapeutic with hot and cold therapy burp cloths. Each kit comes with two cozy double-layer cotton burp cloths, two hot and cold gel packs, two essential oil sprays and two aroma pads. Just slip the gel packs and aroma pads inside, toss over your shoulder and hold your little one close. When they’re feverish and congested, the chilly pack and sniffle-relieving wellness blend can offer a bit of loving relief. (And bonus! They’re also great for nursing mamas as they can help ease clogged milk ducts or engorgement!)
Boogie
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$19.99
Pediatricians and parents know the value of saline to clear out baby’s gunky nasal passages. The Boogie Micro-Mist Saline Inhaler’s continuous gentle mist distributes natural, sterile saline along the upper respiratory tract to gently moisturize, soothe and provide relief to babies suffering from colds and allergies.
Why choose this option for saline relief? Boogie’s micro-mist inhaler sends optimized saline particles into the entire respiratory tract, as opposed to standard saline sprays, which may only offer localized nasal coverage. And, this spray comes with a face mask that makes administering the saline spray much easier on a cranky, squirmy baby.
FridaBaby
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$19.86
We’d love it if every infant came equipped with the ability to blow their own nose, but alas, that duty is still left up to us. When your little one has the sniffles, ditch the outdated bulb syringe and opt for the award-winning NoseFrida, proudly referred to as The Snotsucker. The mechanics seem a little gross at first (yes, you are actually sucking the snot out of that little nose!), but trust us, it’s worth it.
Babyganics
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$7.95
A warm bath is already one of the best ways to soothe a fussy, sick kid, but Babyganics Vapor Bubble Bath steps up the nurturing a notch by infusing their bubbles with natural menthol, eucalyptus and rosemary. And the non-allergenic formula won’t irritate sensitive skin, so it’s the perfect way to comfort littles with a cold.
$5.98
You’re going to be wiping a lot of runny noses over the coming years, mama. I know what you’re thinking… “Can’t I just use regular baby wipes for this?” And, yes, sure, you can. But these wipes are just better for runny noses.
Boogie Wipes contain saline, which naturally helps to clean and dissolve boogers. They’re extra soft, moisturized with aloe and other natural ingredients to soothe skin, and come in a cute little resealable pouch that’s easy to throw into your diaper bag or purse. Watch out, boogers, here we come…
$13.55
The last must-have on our list is better suited for older babies and toddlers, and can be a lifesaver when your little one is too sick to feel like eating or drinking very much. (Or in the case of the equally dreadful stomach flu.)
These freezer pops are formulated with the optimal balance of sugar and electrolytes needed to help the body replenish fluids and minerals lost through dehydration. They’re way better than giving your kiddo juice or sports drinks, which are usually too high in sugar and too low in sodium. And best of all—your toddler will think they’re a treat! (And yes, you could also just freeze regular Pedialyte into popsicle molds yourself, but this way you can stash a few and always have them ready to go!)
Woolino
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$16.50
In light of the children’s Tylenol shortage, one alternative way to reduce a fever is to put wet cotton socks on baby’s feet with wool socks overtop before putting them to bed. These wool baby socks from Woolino would work perfectly for this all natural home remedy.
This 2-pack comes in a variety of colors and can be ordered in size newborn through 24 months.
Whether you’re expecting in months or mere days, let Motherly guide you with our registry featuring curated collections of essentials for you and baby. Click here to check out Motherly’s essential registry guide.
A version of this story was published December 1, 2021. It has been updated.
