When your child is sick, you’ll do anything you can to help them feel better. If your child has a sore throat, follow this guide of do’s and don’ts to help them find relief.
The List of Do’s
When it comes to your baby’s sore throat, do:
- Breastfeed. If your child breastfeeds, do this as often as you can, as there are numerous studies that have documented breastfeeding’s pain-relieving effects.
- Add humidity. In many cases, a sore throat is accompanied by congestion, which leads to coughing and further throat irritation. Run a humidifier in their room while they’re sleeping to help thin out their mucus.
- Try nasal suction. Postnasal drip is another potential throat irritant. To prevent this, try sucking out your child’s mucus with a bulb syringe.
- Give safe pain medication. If your baby is above over three months, you can give acetaminophen, and if they’re over six months, they can take ibuprofen. Follow the instructions carefully, which will be based on your baby’s age and weight. You can pick up these medications at Boone Drug in New Market Centre.
- Pay attention to duration of symptoms. According to one article, “Most sore throats are caused by viruses. Less often, sore throats are due to bacterial infections.” A viral sore throat will clear up within about a week, but if it persists longer, it could be bacterial, meaning your baby will need to see a doctor at Blue Ridge ENT to be diagnosed and treated.
- Know when to see a doctor. You should bring your child to see a doctor if they are younger than three months and have a fever, stop nursing or eating, have visible swelling in the throat, have dark urine, develop a rash, seem very sick or like they’re not getting better, and/or have an underlying illness or weakened immune system.
The List of Don’ts
When it comes to your baby’s sore throat, don’t:
- Give them honey. Babies under 12 months who consume honey are at risk of botulism.
- Give them water. Babies under six months should only receive breastmilk or formula.
- Give them decongestants or cough medicines. These are not safe for children under the age of four.
- Give them aspirin. This is not an appropriate pain reliever for babies.
For more information about sore throats in babies or to schedule an appointment with a throat expert, call Blue Ridge ENT today.