Newborn Cold Symptoms: Safe Remedies & Warning Signs

Cold symptoms in newborns and young babies

The common cold is caused by viruses — most often rhinovirus — and babies catch them frequently because their immune systems are still maturing. A newborn can have up to seven colds in the first year of life. Recognising the symptoms early helps you respond calmly.

Typical signs of a cold in a newborn include:

• Stuffy or runny nose. Discharge starts clear, then may turn thicker and yellowish or greenish after a few days. This colour change is normal and does not by itself mean a bacterial infection.
• Frequent sneezing. Babies sneeze often to clear their nasal passages; during a cold this increases noticeably.
• Mild cough. Postnasal drip irritates the throat and triggers a cough, especially when the baby is lying down.
• Low-grade fever. A temperature of 37.5–38°C (99.5–100.4°F) is common. Any fever in a baby under 3 months requires an immediate doctor call — see the warning signs section below.
• Reduced appetite. A blocked nose makes sucking harder. Babies may feed in shorter, more frequent bursts or seem frustrated at the breast or bottle.
• Fussiness and disrupted sleep. Congestion is uncomfortable. Babies wake more often and may be harder to settle.
• Watery eyes. The nasolacrimal ducts connect the nose and eyes; congestion can cause mild tearing.

A critical point many parents don't know: newborns are obligate nose breathers. Unlike adults who switch to mouth breathing when congested, young infants are not yet able to do this reflexively. Even moderate nasal congestion therefore affects their ability to feed and sleep far more than it would in an older child.

Safe home remedies for a baby's cold

There is no cure for the common cold — antiviral medications don't work against rhinovirus. What you can do is relieve symptoms and keep your baby comfortable while their immune system does its job.

• Saline nasal drops + bulb syringe. This is the single most effective home remedy for a congested baby. Use plain saline drops (sodium chloride 0.9%) — these are widely available without a prescription. Lay the baby on their back, tilt their head slightly back, and place 2–3 drops in each nostril. Wait 30–60 seconds, then gently suction with a bulb syringe or a dedicated nasal aspirator. Do this before feeds and before sleep, and repeat up to four times per day. Avoid over-suctioning — more than four to six times daily can irritate the nasal lining and worsen swelling.
• Cool-mist humidifier. Running a cool-mist humidifier in the baby's room adds moisture to the air and helps thin mucus secretions, making it easier for the baby to breathe. Clean the humidifier daily to prevent mould growth. Do not use a hot-steam vaporiser with young infants due to the burn risk.
• Slight elevation during sleep. Raising the head end of the mattress by a few centimetres (for example, by placing a folded towel under the mattress, not under the baby) can help drainage. Never prop the baby on a pillow or wedge inside the cot — this is a suffocation risk.
• Extra breastfeeds or formula. Breast milk contains antibodies (especially secretory IgA) that actively support the baby's immune response. More frequent, shorter feeds maintain hydration when the baby's appetite is reduced. If formula-fed, offer feeds more often rather than forcing larger volumes.
• Petroleum jelly under the nose. Repeated wiping can make the skin under the nostrils red and sore. A thin layer of plain petroleum jelly (Vaseline) acts as a barrier. Apply only externally — never inside the nostrils.

Skin-to-skin contact and keeping the room at a comfortable temperature (18–20°C / 65–68°F) also help. There is no evidence that vitamin C supplements, zinc, or echinacea shorten the duration of a cold in infants.

What you must NEVER give a baby with a cold

This section is the most important one in this article. Several substances that adults or older children use for cold relief are dangerous — in some cases fatal — for babies and young children.

OTC cold and cough medicines (banned for under 4 years)

In 2008, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a strong public health advisory: over-the-counter cough and cold products should not be used in children under 2 years of age, and industry subsequently extended this to children under 4. The FDA reached this position after reviewing reports of serious adverse events — including deaths — in young children taking these products.

Specifically banned or strongly cautioned against in babies and young children:

• Decongestants (pseudoephedrine, phenylephrine, oxymetazoline) — can cause dangerous increases in heart rate and blood pressure.
• Antihistamines (diphenhydramine, chlorpheniramine, brompheniramine) — can cause sedation, breathing problems, and paradoxical agitation in infants.
• Cough suppressants (dextromethorphan / DXM) — can cause overdose symptoms and breathing suppression.
• Expectorants (guaifenesin) — insufficient evidence of benefit and potential for harm.

Products that were previously marketed and sold as "infant" or "children's" formulations — including those with names that implied they were designed for very young babies — were pulled from shelves in the US and many other countries following the FDA warning. Do not use any such products, regardless of what the label says, without a doctor's explicit instruction.

Honey (under 12 months)

Honey is sometimes used as a cough remedy in older children and adults. It must never be given to babies under 12 months. Honey can contain spores of Clostridium botulinum. In an infant's immature gut, these spores can germinate and produce the botulinum toxin, causing infant botulism — a potentially life-threatening paralytic illness. This applies to all honey, including organic or raw varieties.

Aspirin (under 16 years)

Aspirin should never be given to children or teenagers due to the risk of Reye's syndrome, a rare but serious condition that causes liver and brain damage. For fever in infants over 3 months, paracetamol (acetaminophen) may be appropriate — but always check the dose with your pharmacist or doctor first.

When in doubt about any medicine: call your doctor or pharmacist before giving it.

RSV: when a cold becomes more serious

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most common cause of bronchiolitis — inflammation of the small airways — in infants under 12 months. RSV starts with symptoms indistinguishable from a regular cold: runny nose, mild cough, low-grade fever, and reduced feeding. In many babies, it stays mild. In others, it progresses.

What distinguishes RSV from a mild cold:

• Wheezing — a high-pitched whistling sound when the baby breathes out.
• Rapid breathing — more than 60 breaths per minute in infants under 2 months; more than 50 in older infants.
• Chest retractions — you can see the skin between or below the ribs pulling inward with each breath.
• Nasal flaring — nostrils widen visibly with each breath.
• Poor feeding — taking significantly less than usual over 24 hours.

RSV season in the Northern Hemisphere typically runs from October through March, coinciding with winter respiratory virus peaks. Premature babies, those with congenital heart disease or chronic lung disease, and immunocompromised infants are at highest risk of severe RSV disease.

Prevention: For high-risk premature infants, Palivizumab — a monthly preventive injection — has been used for many years. As of 2023, Nirsevimab (brand name Beyfortus) is now recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) for all infants under 8 months entering their first RSV season, and for infants aged 8–19 months who are at increased risk (e.g., prematurity, chronic lung disease, immunocompromise, or living in remote communities). Ask your paediatrician whether your baby qualifies. There is also an RSV vaccine available for pregnant women (given between 32 and 36 weeks of gestation) that provides passive protection to the newborn.

Warning signs: when to call the doctor immediately

Most colds in newborns resolve without medical treatment, but certain signs require urgent attention. Call your doctor or go to the emergency room immediately if your baby shows any of the following:

• Any fever in a baby under 3 months old. A rectal temperature of 38°C (100.4°F) or higher in a baby under 12 weeks is a medical emergency until proven otherwise. Do not wait to see if it goes down on its own.
• Difficulty breathing. Breathing that is fast, laboured, or noisy (wheezing, grunting, stridor).
• Nostrils flaring with each breath. A sign the baby is working harder than normal to breathe.
• Chest retractions. Ribs visible through the skin or the skin between the ribs pulling inward with each breath.
• Blue or grey lips or fingernails. This is a sign of dangerously low oxygen levels and requires immediate emergency care.
• Refusing to eat for two or more consecutive feeds. Infants can dehydrate quickly. Signs of dehydration include fewer than 6 wet nappies per day, a dry mouth, sunken fontanelle (the soft spot on the head), or no tears when crying.
• Persistently inconsolable crying. If your baby cannot be soothed at all and this is unusual for them, have them assessed.
• Symptoms improving then suddenly worsening. This pattern can indicate a secondary bacterial infection such as a middle ear infection (otitis media) or bacterial pneumonia.

Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, call. Paediatricians and paediatric nurses would rather hear from a worried parent early than see a baby who has been ill for too long.

How long does a baby cold last?

A typical cold in a newborn or young baby runs its course in 7–10 days. Symptoms usually follow a predictable arc:

• Days 1–2: Clear, watery nasal discharge; sneezing; mild fussiness.
• Days 2–3: Peak intensity. Discharge thickens and may turn yellow or green; congestion is worst; appetite is most reduced; sleep is most disrupted.
• Days 4–7: Gradual improvement. Discharge lightens, feeding improves, baby is less fussy.
• Days 7–14: Nasal congestion can linger for up to two weeks even as other symptoms resolve. A residual mild cough is also common.

If symptoms are worsening after day 7 — especially if your baby develops a new fever after appearing to improve — contact your doctor. This pattern can signal a secondary bacterial infection, most commonly an ear infection, a sinus infection, or, more rarely, bacterial pneumonia.

Also contact your doctor if the cold lasts longer than 10–14 days without clear improvement, if your baby develops a persistent or worsening cough, or if you are simply unsure whether what you are seeing is normal progression.

Keeping track with Bebblo

When your baby is sick, small details matter: how long since the last feed, how many wet nappies today, how often they woke last night. It is easy to lose track during an exhausting few days of illness.

Bebblo lets you log feeding frequency, sleep sessions, and nappy changes with a single tap. During a cold, having this log at hand means you can answer your doctor's questions accurately — whether your baby is eating less than usual, whether sleep is more disrupted than a typical night, and whether things are trending better or worse day over day.

This article is for general information only and does not replace the advice of your doctor. It references guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 2008 advisory on OTC cough and cold products. If you are concerned about your baby's health, always consult a qualified healthcare professional.

Track feeds and sleep during illness with Bebblo

Bebblo logs feeding, sleep, and nappy changes with a single tap, storing everything locally on your phone. No mandatory account. Free to use.