YOUR BABY'S HEALTH
In all likelihood, your baby won't experience anything other than minor snuffles during months three to six. If you have older children, illnesses such as chickenpox might be passed to the baby, but shouldn't cause more than a few days of discomfort, especially if you are still breastfeeding. Breastfed babies experience less sickness and diarrhoea and fewer colds and ear infections.
If a blocked nose from a cold is making it hard for your baby to feed or sleep, try to keep the nostrils clear by wiping them with a wisp of cotton wool and ask your health visitor about other ways to manage colds.
Your baby may be seriously ill if:
• They are off their feed - less than half their normal intake in the past 24 hours;
• There is persistent vomiting;
• He or she develops a fast breathing rate, especially if it is noisy and has come on suddenly;
• There are less than four wet nappies in the past 24 hours;
• They show signs of irritability;
• There is blood in the bowel motions or urine;
• Your baby has a persistently unusual cry;
• They are listless or 'floppy';
• They have a skin rash.
If your baby shows any of these signs, contact your doctor immediately.