Mar 06 , 2020
Mistakes To Avoid When Treating A Sick Baby
Parenting is full of exhilarating highs and exhausting downs. Some days are filled with nothing but laughter and play, while other days are full of confusion and anxiety. Endless crying, sneezing, and coughing often cause trouble for new parents. Your baby might relax and laugh for a while, then start crying and oozing mucus not long after. Even if you do somehow find a way to keep a close eye on your little one, infections and illnesses aren't always far off.
Home remedies and easy solutions are all the rage in our fast-paced society. Unfortunately, they can often make things worse for you and your baby. Here are some common mistakes to avoid when helping your baby deal with a nasty cold or flu.
Using Sharp And Pointy Objects
Stuffed noses are one of the first true tests that new parents have to contend with. A baby’s tiny and delicate nose can often become clogged with sticky snot and mucus due to various reasons. Even if the flu season is already over and done with, air pollution or changes in weather can still clog up a baby's nose. Earbuds and napkins might seem like sensible solutions for a child and adult, but they can be quite harmful to young babies. These pointy and rough objects can scratch up a baby's delicate nasal canal and make things worse. They can also push mucus and snot even further inside the nose instead of bringing them out.
Nasal aspirators are the best solution for a stuffed nose. Instead of poking a sensitive nose, they instead use safe suction power to get rid of boogers and mucus. They're also free from harmful chemicals or sharp edges and are thus safe for your baby's health. You can get a reliable and risk-free baby nasal aspirator off our online store with just a few clicks.
Not Measuring Correctly
One of the most common mistakes parents make when treating their sick babies is using kitchen spoons to measure dosages. It’s always important to remember that kitchen utensils aren’t designed for medicine. You’ll only end up giving your child too much or too little medicine when you rely too much on them. Instead, you should always use droppers or plastic cups that come with the medicine that your doctor has prescribed. These tools are specially designed to provide your child with only the right dosage for their fragile and developing bodies.
Ignoring The Label
Almost all of us have downed medicine without reading the label or instructions at one point or another. Though this mistake won’t do you much harm if your medicine isn’t particularly strong or potent, it can be quite fatal for sensitive babies. When administering new medications to your little one, always be sure to read the label before putting anything in their mouths. Some medicines require you to give only a certain dosage, while others will only work if your baby has a full stomach. Old brands that you’ve been using for several weeks or months might have changed their ingredients and formulations, so always be sure to double-check.
Making Incorrect Guesses
Guesswork is always a big no-no when it comes to proper illness prevention and care. You should never make any assumptions regarding your child’s weight and other health factors since this can keep their medicine from working properly. It’s also best not to rely on a measurement from weeks ago since your baby’s weight might have changed since then. The best way to determine your baby’s weight is to always weigh them at the doctor’s office and at home.
Waiting It Out For Too Long
I’ll say it again for the people at the back: doctors do matter! It’s perfectly okay to treat common illnesses like colds, cough, and flu at home if you know what you’re doing. That being said, you should never assume that serious symptoms like a fever higher than 100.4°F, lack of appetite, and breathing difficulties can go away on their own. If your baby begins to display more than the usual symptoms of clogged noses and light fever, you should pay your doctor a visit right away. They’ll have the best idea of what could be causing your baby trouble and how to best bring them relief.