5-month-old baby cough and runny nose?

Feeling lost about what to do when your first baby gets sick is a completely normal feeling. A cough and runny nose in a 5-month-old usually indicates an upper respiratory tract infection.

What you can do right now:

For nasal congestion: Clearing the nose is the most important step. You can get a nasal aspirator from the pharmacy (either vacuum or manual bulb type) and use it with saline drops a few times a day to clean the nose. This makes it easier for your baby to breathe and eat.

For cough: Never give 5-month-old babies herbal tea, honey, or over-the-counter cough syrup. None of these are safe for this age. Cough is your body's natural defense mechanism. Keeping the air moist (with a clean humidifier or by placing a bowl of water on a radiator) and holding your baby upright while they sleep (in your arms or on your chest, not in a car seat or swing) can help.

When should you see a doctor? Contact your pediatrician right away in these situations:

• Fever: 38°C or higher in a 5-month-old
• Wheezing when breathing, fast breathing, ribs pulling in with each breath
• Your baby is very fussy or very sleepy and unresponsive
• No wet diaper for more than 8 hours (sign of dehydration)
• Refusing to feed completely

If none of these apply, you can expect it to clear up on its own in a few days. But calling a pediatrician for reassurance can also feel good.