Eight facts about baby and newborn coughs and colds

1. Coughs and colds are incredibly common in children

It’s normal for children attending primary school to have five to eight colds a year (NICE, 2022). Children’s colds usually get better in around a week, but can last longer in younger children, hanging around for up to 14 days (NHS, 2021a).

What if my baby has a cold?

If your baby has a runny or blocked nose, looks unwell, or isn’t interested in the usual things, they might have a cold. They may feel sweaty or hotter than usual when you touch their back or chest (NHS, 2020). 

A healthy baby has a temperature of between 36°C and 37°C. You can get to know your baby’s normal temperature by checking it when they’re well. A digital thermometer, which you can buy from your pharmacy or supermarket, may show when their temperature is higher than usual (NHS, 2020). 

A temperature of 38°C is very high for a baby under three months old, and from three to six months 39°C is considered high (NICE, 2022). 

2. There are some treatments for baby coughs, colds and blocked noses

• Make sure your baby is getting plenty of milk.
• Your pharmacist or health visitor can explain how to use saline nose drops to help loosen dried snot and relieve a stuffy nose.
• Use children’s paracetamol or ibuprofen only if your child under five years old has a fever or appears distressed, checking the label for age limits and conditions.

(NHS, 2021a; NICE, 2022)

3. It's normal for babies lose their appetite when they have a cold

If babies who are already on solids are not eating well, their loss of appetite is probably only going to last for a couple of days. So, as long as they’re drinking milk, try not to worry too much about it (NHS, 2021b).

4. You can reduce the frequency of newborn colds

Make sure you wash your hands and those of your baby’s regularly, and don’t let them share towels or cups with someone who has a cold (NICE, 2022). Good baby groups will also wash the toys regularly, which will reduce the chance of catching a cold but not remove it.

5. Don’t give babies over-the-counter cough and cold remedies

This is because the benefits have not been shown to outweigh the risks in children under six years old (NICE, 2022). Simple remedies such as warm honey and lemon can be used from one year (NICE, 2022). 

6. Baby colds are generally not a reason to see a GP

If your baby is feeding, drinking, eating and breathing normally and there's no wheezing, there isn't usually anything to worry about. However, see your GP or call 111 if:

• they have a high temperature (38°C or more) or are hot and shivery
• their cough has lasted for more than three weeks.

(NHS, 2021a)

If your child is having trouble breathing, go to the emergency department or contact 999 (NHS, 2021a).

If a cough lasts for a long time and is worse at night or after running around, then it could be asthma (NHS, 2021a). For more information about when to call your GP about your baby, see our article here.

7. Baby colds can lead to an ear infection

Ear infections are common and often turn up on the back of a cold. Signs and symptoms that your baby has an ear infection might include:

• pulling on or rubbing their ear 
• a high temperature 
• irritability 
• crying 
• not being interested in feeding 
• restlessness at night 
• a cough 
• not reacting to some sounds 
• they keep losing their balance.

(NHS, 2021a)

Most ear infections get better by themselves within about three days and should be better after a week. See a GP if the ear infection is not clearing up (NHS, 2021c).

Also, see your GP if your child has:

• a very high temperature or feels hot and shivery
• swelling around the ear
• fluid coming from the ear
• hearing loss or a change in hearing
• vomiting, a severe sore throat or dizziness
• regular ear infections
• other health issues that could lead to complications.

The best ways to treat an ear infection are:

• painkillers like paracetamol or ibuprofen  
• a warm or cold flannel on the ear.

(NHS, 2021c)

Don’t put anything into the ear, such as oil, ear drops or cotton buds (NHS, 2021c).

To help avoid inner ear infections:

• make sure vaccinations are up to date
• keep babies and children away from smoky environments
• avoid dummies after six months old.

(NHS, 2021c)

To help avoid outer ear infections:

• don’t stick cotton wool buds or fingers in their ears
• use ear plugs or a swimming hat over their ears when they swim
• avoid water or shampoo getting into their ears
• treat conditions that affect their ears, like eczema or an allergy to hearing aids.

(NHS, 2021c)

8. Don’t confuse whooping cough with a cold

The first symptoms of whooping cough (pertussis) are similar to those of a cold so it’s important to be aware of it. Babies under six months old are usually those most severely affected by whooping cough, which is very contagious.

Other symptoms that start around a week after the initial cold include:

• Intense coughing bouts that are more common at night.
• Coughing that brings up thick mucus or that is followed by vomiting.
• Gasping for breath in between coughs – this may cause a ‘whoop’ sound, but this is less common in babies.
• A red face (more common in adults).

(NHS, 2019)

Contact your GP or NHS 111 straightaway if you think your baby under six months old has whooping cough, or if a bad cough is getting worse (NHS, 2019). Treatment for babies under six months old is usually in hospital (NHS, 2019). 

If the baby or child is stopping breathing or is finding it hard to breathe, call 999 or go to your local emergency department (NHS, 2019). The same is true if the child is having chest pain or seizures (NHS, 2019). 

A person with whooping cough is infectious from about six days after they were infected until three weeks after the coughing bouts start (NHS, 2019). 

Whooping cough treatment includes:

• Antibiotics to reduce the spread to other people.
• Keeping your child off nursery or baby groups from when the symptoms start until 48 hours after beginning antibiotic treatment, or three weeks after coughing started (whichever is sooner).
• Lots of fluids and age-appropriate painkillers. 

(NHS, 2019)

If you’re pregnant, you can help protect your baby by getting vaccinated (NHS, 2019). Ideally, you’d do this from 16 weeks up to 32 weeks pregnant but you can have it up until you go into labour. Babies are also offered vaccinations at eight, 12 and 16 weeks old.

This page was last reviewed in July 2022.

Further information

Understanding your baby’s behaviours will help you to care for them. Our NCT New Baby course gives you the space to focus on your baby’s needs, as well as your own.

If you have any questions or concerns about feeding your baby, our support line offers practical and emotional support. Call 0333 255 3308.