A cough, runny nose or blocked nose can be worrying when your baby is unwell. Babies cannot explain how they feel, and nasal congestion can make breastfeeding, bottle-feeding and sleeping more difficult. Most common colds are caused by viruses and improve with time, but some respiratory infections can become serious in young infants.
Knowing the causes of cough and cold in babies, the safest ways to ease congestion and the warning signs that need medical attention can help parents make informed decisions. Your baby’s age, breathing, feeding, alertness and temperature are particularly important when deciding what to do next.
Important warning for parents
If your baby is younger than 3 months and has a temperature of 38°C (100.4°F) or higher, seek immediate medical assessment. Do not wait for the fever to settle. A baby of this age should also receive prompt medical advice at the first sign of illness, even without a fever.
At any age, struggling to breathe, pauses in breathing, blue or grey lips, being very difficult to wake, or being unable to feed normally requires urgent emergency care.
In This Article
- What are cough and cold in babies?
- Common causes of cough and cold
- Symptoms parents may notice
- Safe home care for a baby with a cold
- Medicines and remedies to avoid
- Fever in babies: what parents need to know
- Warning signs that need urgent care
- How long does a baby’s cold last?
- How to reduce the risk of infection
- When to contact a pediatrician
- Frequently asked questions
What Are Cough and Cold in Babies?
A common cold is an infection of the upper respiratory tract, which includes the nose and throat. It is usually caused by a virus. A baby may develop a runny or blocked nose, sneezing, cough, mild fever, irritability or difficulty feeding because of nasal congestion.
Coughing is a natural protective reflex that helps clear mucus and irritants from the airways. It does not always mean that a baby has a serious illness. However, a cough accompanied by breathing difficulty, poor feeding or unusual sleepiness needs closer attention.
Babies, particularly newborns and young infants, need more careful monitoring than older children. Their airways are small, and congestion can interfere with feeding. Some infections, including respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), can begin with cold-like symptoms and later cause inflammation in the small airways of the lungs.
Common Causes of Cough and Cold in Babies
1. Common cold viruses
Many different viruses can cause a common cold. Babies may catch them through close contact with an infected person or respiratory particles released when someone coughs, sneezes, talks or breathes nearby. Shared hands and contaminated surfaces can also contribute to spread.
2. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
RSV commonly causes cold-like symptoms. In some babies, especially young infants, it can lead to bronchiolitis, an infection that affects the small airways in the lungs. Warning signs include faster breathing, wheezing, chest pulling inward and difficulty feeding.
3. Influenza and COVID-19
Flu and COVID-19 can cause cough, congestion, fever and tiredness. Symptoms can overlap with those of an ordinary cold, so it may not be possible to identify the virus from symptoms alone. A pediatrician can determine whether testing or specific treatment is needed.
4. Bronchiolitis and other respiratory infections
Bronchiolitis often begins with a runny nose and cough before breathing becomes faster or more difficult. Pneumonia and other infections can also cause coughing and fever. A baby with breathing difficulty, poor feeding or unusual lethargy should not be assumed to have only a mild cold.
5. Other causes of cough
Coughing can also occur with irritation, exposure to tobacco smoke or other airborne irritants, and certain medical conditions. A sudden cough beginning while feeding or after choking needs urgent assessment because something may have entered the airway.
Antibiotics do not treat viruses that cause ordinary colds. They may be needed for selected bacterial infections, but a healthcare professional must assess whether they are appropriate.
Common Symptoms of Cough and Cold in Babies
Symptoms vary from one baby to another. A mild cold may cause only sneezing and a runny nose, while another baby may have congestion, cough, reduced appetite and disturbed sleep.
- Runny nose: Nasal discharge may begin clear and later become thicker or change colour. Mucus colour alone does not prove that an infection is bacterial.
- Blocked nose: Congestion may make feeding difficult because young babies often need to breathe through their noses while feeding.
- Cough: A cough may be dry or sound wet because of mucus in the upper airways.
- Sneezing: Sneezing is a common way the nose clears irritants and mucus.
- Fever: Some respiratory infections cause fever, although not every cold does.
- Irritability: Your baby may be fussier or sleep differently than usual.
- Reduced feeding: Nasal congestion or feeling unwell may make breastfeeding or bottle-feeding slower or less frequent.
Pay attention to your baby’s overall condition, not just the cough. A baby who breathes comfortably, feeds reasonably well, produces their usual wet diapers and responds normally is generally less concerning than a baby who is becoming less active or struggling to feed.
Safe Home Care for a Baby With a Cough or Cold
If your baby has been assessed as suitable for home care, simple supportive measures may help relieve congestion and keep feeding on track. These measures do not cure the virus, but they can help your baby remain comfortable while recovering.
1. Continue breast milk or formula
Continue breastfeeding or offering your baby’s usual infant formula. If congestion makes feeding difficult, try smaller, more frequent feeds and pause when your baby needs a break.
For babies who struggle to feed because their noses are blocked, saline drops followed by gentle suction may help before a feed. Monitor wet diapers and feeding because a noticeable reduction can indicate dehydration.
Do not replace breast milk or formula with plain water for a young infant unless a healthcare professional specifically advises it. If your baby cannot feed adequately, seek medical advice promptly.
2. Use saline nose drops and gentle suction
Plain sterile saline nose drops may help loosen mucus in a blocked nose. When needed, use a bulb syringe or an infant nasal aspirator gently to remove loosened mucus, particularly before feeding.
Avoid inserting the device deeply or suctioning forcefully or excessively, as this can irritate the nasal lining. Follow the product instructions and ask your pediatrician for guidance if you are unsure how to use it.
3. Consider a clean cool-mist humidifier
A cool-mist humidifier may make the air less dry and help some babies feel more comfortable with congestion. Clean and maintain the device according to its instructions to reduce the risk of mould or microbial growth.
Avoid exposing your baby to bowls of hot water, boiling water or direct steam inhalation. These methods can cause serious burns.
4. Let your baby rest
Offer a calm environment and allow your baby to rest as needed. Monitor breathing, feeding, temperature and alertness while they recover.
Maintain safe sleep: Always place your baby on their back to sleep on a firm, flat, level surface, such as an appropriate cot or crib mattress with a fitted sheet. Do not prop up the mattress, use pillows or incline the sleep surface to relieve congestion. These changes can make breathing less safe.
5. Monitor symptoms and temperature
Use a reliable digital thermometer according to its instructions when you suspect a fever. Record the temperature and note when symptoms began, how your baby is feeding, and whether wet diapers or breathing patterns have changed.
Do not delay medical care to keep a symptom diary. If your baby is very young or develops warning signs, seek medical help immediately.
Medicines and Remedies to Avoid for Babies
Babies should not be given adult medicines or unverified home remedies. Products that seem harmless can be unsuitable for an infant or cause serious side effects.
Over-the-counter cough and cold medicines
Do not give babies over-the-counter cough syrups, combination cold medicines or decongestants unless a qualified pediatrician specifically directs their use. These medicines may offer little benefit for young children and can cause harmful side effects.
Honey for babies under 12 months
Never give honey to a baby younger than one year, including honey mixed into water or other remedies. Honey can contain bacteria that cause infant botulism, a serious illness.
Antibiotics without medical advice
Antibiotics do not work against viruses that cause the common cold. Giving leftover antibiotics or medicines prescribed for another person can cause side effects and contribute to antibiotic resistance. Use antibiotics only when prescribed for the child’s condition.
Fever and pain medicines
Do not give fever medicine to a baby under three months with a temperature of 38°C or higher before obtaining urgent medical assessment. For older infants, ask your pediatrician or pharmacist which medicine is suitable and confirm the correct dose for your baby’s weight and age.
Never give aspirin to a child unless specifically directed by a specialist for a particular medical reason. Do not combine medicines that may contain the same active ingredient.
Essential oils and strong topical remedies
Avoid applying strong essential oils, camphor-containing products or adult vapor rubs to a baby’s face or near the nose. Such products can irritate the airways or cause poisoning if swallowed. Do not use a remedy simply because it is marketed as natural.
Hot steam inhalation
Do not hold a baby over a bowl of hot water or use direct steam to treat congestion. Hot water and steam can cause severe scalds. Use safer approaches, such as saline drops and gentle suction, when appropriate.
Fever in Babies: What Parents Need to Know
Fever can occur with viral and bacterial infections. The baby’s age and overall appearance are important in deciding how quickly medical care is needed.
Baby younger than 3 months
A temperature of 38°C (100.4°F) or higher requires immediate medical assessment. Do not wait for the temperature to rise further, and do not rely on a fever medicine to see whether the temperature settles before seeking help.
Babies aged three to six months may also need urgent evaluation for a high fever, particularly 39°C (102.2°F) or above, or if they appear unwell. Seek advice promptly if your baby has fever with poor feeding, breathing changes, unusual sleepiness or other concerning symptoms.
If your baby has a fever and you are unsure what to do, contact a healthcare professional. The appropriate assessment depends on age, temperature, symptoms and medical history.
Cough and Cold Warning Signs: When Is It Serious?
A cold can sometimes progress to a more serious respiratory illness, particularly in young infants. Learn to recognise signs that a baby is having difficulty breathing, becoming dehydrated or developing a serious infection.
Seek emergency medical care immediately if your baby:
- Is struggling to breathe, grunting, or breathing with marked effort.
- Has skin pulling inward between or below the ribs or at the base of the neck with each breath.
- Has pauses in breathing or blue, grey or unusually pale lips or skin.
- Can barely cry or make sounds because of breathing difficulty.
- Is extremely sleepy, difficult to wake, unresponsive or having a seizure.
- Cannot feed because of breathing difficulty or is unable to take fluids.
- Has a temperature of 38°C (100.4°F) or higher and is younger than three months.
Do not wait for a routine appointment if these signs appear. Call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department.
Signs of dehydration
Babies can become dehydrated when they feed poorly or lose fluids through fever, vomiting or diarrhoea. Warning signs can include substantially fewer wet diapers than usual, a dry mouth, fewer tears, unusual sleepiness or difficulty feeding.
If your baby is feeding much less than normal or producing noticeably fewer wet diapers, seek prompt medical advice. Severe dehydration or an unusually sleepy or unresponsive baby needs emergency care.
Other reasons to contact a pediatrician
- The cough is getting worse or is interfering with feeding.
- Your baby develops wheezing, persistent noisy breathing or repeated coughing spells.
- Fever lasts more than four days, or symptoms improve and then return or worsen.
- Symptoms continue for more than about 10 days without improvement.
- You suspect an ear infection or another complication.
- Your baby was born prematurely or has an underlying heart, lung or immune condition.
These timeframes are general guidance, not a reason to delay care. Seek medical advice sooner if your baby is very young, looks unwell or develops symptoms that concern you.
How Long Does a Baby’s Cough and Cold Last?
Many uncomplicated colds begin improving within about a week, although symptoms such as a runny nose and cough may last around 10 to 14 days. The course varies depending on the virus, the baby’s age and overall health.
A persistent cough does not automatically mean antibiotics are needed. However, worsening symptoms, a new fever after initial improvement, difficulty breathing or poor feeding may indicate a complication or a different illness that needs assessment.
For babies younger than three months, seek medical advice at the first sign of illness rather than waiting to see how long symptoms last.
How Can Parents Reduce the Risk of Cough and Cold?
It is not possible to prevent every respiratory infection, but a few practical steps can reduce exposure and help protect vulnerable infants.
- Wash hands: Adults and children should clean their hands before touching or feeding the baby.
- Limit close contact with sick people: Ask visitors with cold symptoms to postpone close contact until they are better.
- Keep the air smoke-free: Do not allow smoking or vaping around the baby or in enclosed areas where the baby spends time.
- Clean frequently touched surfaces: Follow sensible household hygiene practices, especially during respiratory illness.
- Follow recommended immunisations: Ask your pediatrician about age-appropriate vaccines and preventive measures available for your baby and household.
- Support feeding and general health: Continue appropriate infant feeding and attend routine child-health visits.
Breastfeeding provides nutrition and immune support, but breastfed babies can still catch respiratory infections. If a baby becomes ill, focus on their symptoms and seek medical care when needed.
When Should You Contact a Pediatrician?
Contact your baby’s pediatrician when symptoms are persistent, getting worse or affecting feeding and sleep. Infants can deteriorate more quickly than older children, so parents should have a low threshold for seeking advice when something does not seem right.
Contact a pediatrician promptly if:
- Your baby is younger than three months and shows any sign of illness.
- Your baby has fever, especially if they are under six months.
- Feeding has decreased significantly or wet diapers are fewer than usual.
- Your baby is breathing faster than normal or making new breathing noises.
- The cough is worsening, persistent or associated with wheezing.
- Your baby has a chronic medical condition or was born prematurely.
- You are unsure whether a medicine or home remedy is safe for your baby’s age.
If the baby has emergency warning signs, seek emergency care rather than waiting for a clinic callback. A pediatrician can assess breathing, hydration, fever and the likely cause of the illness and advise whether tests or treatment are needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What should I do if my baby has a cough and cold?
Check your baby’s breathing, feeding, wet diapers, alertness and temperature. If home care is appropriate, continue breast milk or formula and consider saline drops with gentle nasal suction for congestion. Babies younger than three months should receive prompt medical advice at the first sign of illness.
2. Can I give cough syrup to my baby?
Do not give over-the-counter cough or cold medicines to a baby unless a qualified pediatrician specifically directs their use. Some ingredients can cause serious side effects and are not recommended for young children.
3. Can I give honey for a baby’s cough?
No. Honey must not be given to babies under 12 months because of the risk of infant botulism. For a baby, ask a pediatrician about age-appropriate ways to manage cough and congestion.
4. Is a fever of 38°C dangerous for a newborn?
A temperature of 38°C (100.4°F) or higher in a baby younger than three months requires immediate medical assessment. Do not wait for the fever to settle or for other symptoms to appear before seeking help.
5. How can I clear my baby’s blocked nose?
Plain saline nose drops and gentle suction with an infant-appropriate device may help remove mucus, especially before feeding. Avoid forceful or repeated suctioning and follow product instructions. Seek medical help if congestion interferes with breathing or feeding.
6. Can I use steam inhalation for my baby’s cold?
Do not place your baby over a bowl of hot water or use direct steam inhalation because serious burns can occur. If suitable, a clean cool-mist humidifier may help with comfort.
7. Do babies need antibiotics for a cold?
Most common colds are caused by viruses, and antibiotics do not treat viral infections. A clinician may prescribe antibiotics if a bacterial infection is diagnosed or suspected and treatment is appropriate.
8. How long will my baby’s cold last?
Many cold symptoms improve over about a week, but a runny nose or cough may last 10 to 14 days. Contact a pediatrician if symptoms worsen, fail to improve or are accompanied by warning signs. Do not wait for this timeframe if your baby is very young or unwell.
9. Should I elevate my baby’s head during sleep?
No. Babies should sleep on their backs on a firm, flat, level sleep surface. Do not use pillows, wedges or an inclined mattress to relieve congestion, because these can make breathing less safe.
10. When should I take my baby to the hospital?
Seek emergency care if your baby is struggling to breathe, has pauses in breathing, has blue or grey lips, cannot feed because of breathing difficulty, is difficult to wake or has a seizure. A fever of 38°C or higher in a baby younger than three months also requires immediate medical assessment.
Final Thoughts
Cough and cold are common in babies, but their age and overall condition matter when deciding what to do. Gentle nasal care, continued breast milk or formula and close observation may help when symptoms are mild and home care is appropriate.
Avoid cough syrups, honey for babies under one year, unprescribed antibiotics and unsafe home remedies. Most importantly, watch for changes in breathing, feeding, wet diapers, alertness and temperature. Prompt medical assessment is especially important for newborns and young infants.
Medical disclaimer: This article is for general educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Babies can become seriously ill quickly, and symptoms may have several causes. Contact a qualified pediatrician for personalised advice. Seek emergency care for breathing difficulty, blue or grey lips, severe lethargy, inability to feed or other serious symptoms. A baby younger than three months with a temperature of 38°C (100.4°F) or higher requires immediate medical assessment.
