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Breathing problems
ER
Bronchiolitis (from viruses like RSV), croup and colds are common in babies. What matters is how hard the baby is working to breathe.
What to do
- While awake, hold the baby semi-upright in your arms. For sleep, always on the back in the crib.
- Put saline drops in the nose and gently suction with a bulb syringe before feeding and sleep.
- Give shorter, more frequent feedings.
- Use a cool-mist humidifier and clean it every day.
- Croup: sit with the child for 10 minutes in a steamy bathroom with the hot shower running, or go out into cool night air, bundled up. If it doesn't improve, call.
- Ask the pediatrician about RSV protection (an antibody shot for the baby or a vaccine during pregnancy).
What not to do
- Don't give cough or cold medicines (see 'Colds').
- Don't use hot-steam humidifiers near the baby: they can burn.
- Don't smoke or vape near the baby, in the home or in the car.
- Don't use menthol or camphor rubs.
