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Top 5 Baby Cold Care Products

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How many times has this happened to you:  Your baby starts with a runny nose, then comes the coughing, then maybe a low-grade fever, then he is so congested and miserable he starts not sleeping through the night.  This is when you say, "that's it!" and head to the pediatrician.  Once there you spend thirty minutes in the waiting room, another twenty in the exam room, then a whole 3 minutes for the doctor to tell you, "he's got a cold, we don't prescribe cold medicine for babies." 

Babies and snot seem to go hand in hand.  And we all know when the baby is miserable, so are the parents.  No prescriptions, and no over the counter medicine seem to leave us with no choice but to suffer the entire cold season with sleepless nights, baby choking on his bottle, and general misery in the house. 

But maybe there is some relief out there.  The following is my list of favorite cold season products that I have used on my own two children (both are under 3).

Photo By: There can be only one Rob!

1. Graco Nasal Clear Nasal Aspirator

For the Money, the Best Snot Sucker!

The traditional bulb syringe can be thrown out the window. This nasal aspirator is battery operated so it provides consistent and constant suction. The tips are shaped with a wide base so it can't be inserted too far. As an added feature it can play music to distract the baby while you use it.

I had a friend recommend the Nosefrida aspirator, so I bought it and we tried it. There were several drawbacks to the Nosefrida aspirator. First, the parent is providing the suction with their mouth and there is only a spongy filter between you and the baby's nose. Second, my husband was often the one to use it because I couldn't maintain consistent enough suction. He ended up with a cold that he thinks he caught from using the Nosefrida. Maybe, maybe not, but he doesn't get sick often. Third, you have to buy replacement filters for it.

I then decided to spend the $20 and bought the Graco Nasal Aspirator (there are other brands of battery operated aspirators) and it was money well spent. The music does help distract the baby and though she sometimes struggles, she will usually tolerate me doing it on her.

Here it is...

I have also seen this aspirator in local stores like Toys R Us and CVS.
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2. When it's Thick Think Saline Spray

A Couple of Squirts and Baby Can Breathe

A good saline spray is a gentle and natural remedy for nasal congestion. The saline solution helps to instantly break up the mucous. When my baby is congested I first give a squirt of Saline Spray in each nostril and then use the aspirator to suck it all out. The saline can make all the difference in the amount that the aspirator can clear. There are several choices on the market, so you can pick the one you like best.

Saline Spray

You can find these saline sprays at your grocery store and drug store.
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3. Get a Great Thermometer

Think Temporal Artery

About a year ago I was in my new pediatrician's office for the first time and they took my daughter's temperature. I was shocked when the nurse just passed this device over her forehead and that was that. I had a nice kit of thermometers that was given as a shower present. Along with the horrible (but accurate) rectal thermometer, I had the ear thermometer that I tried and never seemed to get an accurate reading. The goal is quick and accurate.

My mother-in-law bought me one of the Temporal Artery thermometers and it was the exact one that my pediatrician's office was using, so I knew I could trust it. What a wonderful advancement! I can take my children's temperatures with no fussing and it's so easy I can take it a few times if I want to double check it. And since it can be used on everyone in the family I don't have to reread the directions on which age a thermometer is for, I just use it.

The One Used by My Pediatrician

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4. A Humidifier

Soothing Moist Relief All Night

One of the things my pediatrician did offer (after telling me no meds, and me begging for ANYTHING) was a humidifier in the baby's room. He told me that the extra moisture will help keep the mucous lose. This makes sense with most colds being in the winter time when the air is drier and more irritating. Also, when the baby is stuffy and breathing through her mouth, her throat can get dry and scratchy making her fussy. So, find a good humidifier. We have one we use, but I am hesitant to fully recommend it because my husband has to clean it from build-up (though maybe this is normal).

5. Boogie Wipes

Not Your Ordinary Tissue

So this is a product that I just started using. I am not sure if I would call it a true "must have" yet, but I like them. These are moist saline wipes made for kids that are very soft and gentle on the nose. They are especially helpful on the crusties (you know what I'm talking about) since they are moist. Much gentler than a wet paper towel or wash cloth.

Photo By: wenkars

Boogies Be Gone!

I got mine from Walmart.
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Have you used these products? Any great suggestions to add?

  • Kat Z. Aug 10, 2010 @ 8:39 pm | delete
    Thank you so much for these tips!!! I will most def buy the boogie wipes. I have everything else lol. My poor son looks so miserable.
  • Holly Sanders Nov 25, 2009 @ 12:20 pm | delete
    As a mom of three kids congested noses are my past time. I have not had the best luck with electric nasal aspirators however. They seem to be expensive, hard to clean, and not always effective. I just stick with the blue aspirator they use at hospitals. I bought mine at http://www.nosesucker.com. These work a lot better and are pretty inexpensive... Thanks for the great tips!
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