As children go back to school or nursery, the likelihood of picking up illnesses increases. If your child or baby under two is developing a cold, there are steps you can take to help ease their symptoms.

As the school year kicks off, parents brace for the inevitable uptick in colds and other illnesses that seem to follow children back into classrooms and nurseries. With this seasonal shift, it’s not uncommon for infants and young children to bring home the sniffles. Fortunately, there are ways to manage and ease the discomfort of your little ones if they’re under the weather.

The common cold is something we’re all familiar with, but it takes on a new meaning when it’s your baby or toddler who’s feeling miserable. One of the usual suspects during this time is the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), especially prevalent in the colder months. This virus is often responsible for those persistent coughs and runny noses and can sometimes lead to bronchiolitis in children under two if not properly managed. The good news is that symptoms are usually mild and can be handled with some home care.

Most mild RSV cases tend to resolve on their own, typically within a week or two. Bronchiolitis symptoms often peak around days three to five but usually improve, with lingering coughs disappearing within three weeks.

To help parents navigate through this, Dr. Ahmed Ezzat from the NHS offers his top five tips for soothing your child’s symptoms at home. He introduces his advice with, “Here’s how to treat RSV and bronchiolitis.” These practical strategies can provide much-needed relief and comfort during the healing process.

1. Manage fevers

He began his video by stating, “Here’s how to treat RSV and bronchiolitis.”

Dr. Ezzat’s first piece of advice is to use ibuprofen or paracetamol, such as Calpol, to help reduce fever and discomfort caused by the virus. However, it is crucial to follow the directions provided on the medication package.

Meanwhile, he urges parents to not try to lower their temperature by spooning cold water over them or taking off all of their clothes to cool them down. This is because younger kids can’t regulate their body temperature as efficiently as adults.

2. Saline nose drops for blocked nose

If you find your child has a blocked nose, Dr Ezzat recommends using a saline nose drops from a pharmacy to help ease symptoms.

These saline nose drops can help loosen dried snot and relieve a stuffy nose. If you want to know more, you can go to your pharmacist, GP, or health visitors to ask for more advice.

3. Encourage them to drink more

You should also encourage your child to drink plenty of fluids to keep them hydrated, as it helps their bodies fight off the virus. Staying hydrated when ill also thins mucus to clear airways, regulates fevers, flushes waste, moisturises membranes (skin, nose, mouth) to block germs from entering the body, while also prevents dehydration from increased fluid loss due to fevers or vomiting.

“Try smaller feeds in babies more often. And in older children, give them extra water or diluted fruit juice,” he suggested.

Additionally, you can encourage them to consume more water-rich foods such as fruits and vegetables.

4. Keep them upright

Dr Ezzat advises parents to ensure their little ones remain in an upright position, either sitting or standing, as much as possible while they’re awake. This will aid in easier breathing, particularly if they have a blocked nose.

Staying upright or elevating the head during illness allows gravity to assist with drainage, preventing mucus from accumulating in the sinuses and throat, thereby reducing congestion, sinus pressure, and bouts of coughing.

Lying completely flat can lead to postnasal drip, making it more difficult to breathe and sleep, whereas being upright helps maintain clearer airways.

5. Ensure they get enough rest

Lastly, just as with adults, it’s crucial to ensure your child gets plenty of rest when they’re ill to expedite recovery.

Rest allows their immune system to concentrate its energy on combating the virus and aids faster recovery by conserving energy, preventing complications, and minimising the spread of germs.

If your young child or baby is exhibiting any cold-like symptoms or fevers, the NHS advises calling your GP to request an emergency appointment, or dialling 111 for advice.

Meanwhile, if they’re struggling to breathe, pausing their breathing, or becoming limp and unable to stay awake, the NHS advises to trust your instincts and dial 999 for immediate assistance.