Topic Overview
You can help comfort your child who has
infection by trying the following:
- Give acetaminophen or ibuprofen
to help control fever. Follow all instructions on the label. If you give medicine to your baby, follow your doctor’s advice about what amount to give. Do not give aspirin to anyone younger than 20
because of the risk of
.
- Watch for signs of
. Replace fluids lost through
rapid breathing, fever, diarrhea, or vomiting. Encourage more frequent breast-
or bottle-feeding. Avoid giving your baby sports drinks, soft drinks, undiluted
fruit juice, or water. These beverages may contain too much sugar, contain too
few calories, or lack the proper balance of essential minerals (electrolytes).
- Keep your child away from
people who smoke. Smoke irritates the breathing tubes and slows
healing.
- Keep your child in an upright position. Place the
child in a car seat or infant seat. This may make it easier for the child to
breathe and sleep. Place extra pillows under the upper half of an older child's
body, or raise the head of the bed by putting wood blocks under the bed
frame.
- Use
and an
aspirating bulb to clear your baby's nose. You may
need to suction your baby's nose if he or she is unable to breathe well enough
to eat or sleep.
- If your child is having trouble breathing or
symptoms are getting worse, contact a doctor.