It’s that time of year again: the weather is getting cooler, scarves are out, and sniffles seem to be omnipresent, especially among our little ones. Enter the dreaded RSV, a common respiratory virus that can leave babies and toddlers feeling extremely sick and under the weather. Navigating a baby’s RSV recovery can be a nerve-wracking experience for first-time parents, and is just downright scary; especially for babies under one! Fear not, fellow mamas! I have been in your shoes! I will not lie, RSV was no picnic for me or my little one, but we got through it. Here is everything I did as a new mom to help my baby with RSV symptoms so you can help your little one conquer the sniffles and ring in the holidays (or any other season) healthy and happy.
Disclosure: I am not a medical professional in any way, shape, or form; just a mom who’s been through this and did her research. If you feel your baby has RSV or another illness, visit your pediatrician right away and address all concerns with them or another medical professional.
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What is RSV?
RSV stands for Respiratory Syncytial Virus, a common respiratory virus that infects most children by the age of two. RSV causes acute respiratory tract infections that affect children and adults. While sometimes it presents as a mild cold, it can be extremely severe for younger babies and infants, especially those with pre-existing conditions and infants under 1 year old.
My son and I both got RSV when he was 14 months old, right before Christmas, and I’m not going to lie, it was rough! We luckily did not have to go to the hospital, but it was extremely scary and overwhelming! We got through it though and we’re still able to have a wonderful holiday. In this post I share everything I learned and the steps I took to help manage my baby’s RSV symptoms and recovery.
Recognizing the Signs of RSV
The tricky part about RSV is that it can mimic a common cold. It often produces thick mucus as it did with my little one who was sick with RSV at 14 months a few weeks before Christmas. For us symptoms also included a pretty bad cough, lethargy, fever. major congestion and throwing up mucus. He also had a very hard time nursing and sleeping due to al of the mucus and congestion. Here are some key signs that might indicate it’s RSV and not just a cold.
RSV Symptoms
- Runny nose
- sneezing
- congestion
- thick mucus
- cough ( usually deeper and more persistent than a cold)
- Fever
- Wheezing or difficulty breathing
- Reduced appetite
- lethargy
- Irritability and increased fussiness and/or clinginess
- Gagging or spitting up mucus
Home Remedies for RSV Symptoms and Everything I Did to Help My Baby Recover:
If your little one has mild RSV symptoms, these at-home remedies and baby products can help ease their discomfort.
How To Manage RSV Symptoms At Home:
1. Offer extra liquids. Hydration is key.
Offer extra nursing sessions or Breastmilk or formula for infants. Babies ovee 6 months can also have sips of water. For babies 12 months and up offer plenty of water or juice and other liquids like breastmilk as this is crucial to prevent dehydration.
For my 1 year old we offered extra breastmilk as he was still nursing but nurisng was hard for him because of all the nasal congestion. We also made sure to give him plenty of water in his sippy cup. We also offered Motts for Totts Apple juice and Honest Juice cut with water, unflavored Pedialyte, and made Pedialyte ice pops. We used this icepop mold. It made the perfect sized ice pops for little hands.
2. Put on a cool mist humidifier at bedtime.
Using a cool mist humidifier adds moisture to the air which can loosen congestion, helps with cough, and can ease breathing. This is the exact cool mist humidifier we used and we added these vapor drops.
3. Help loosen mucus with saline nose drops or saline inhaler.
Saline is a lifesaver when it comes to managing your baby’s RSV symptoms. Use saline drops like these to clear runny noses, loosen mucus, and help make breathing easier. Even better though, was this saline inhaler. When my baby’s nose was irritated he fought the drops but had no problem using this saline inhaler. This is a must have in my book!
4. Warm baths or showers in a steam filled bathroom.
The steam can help loosen mucus and soothe achy muscles. Turn your bathroom into a steam sauna by letting the shower run on hot. Then turn the shower off and keep the door closed. Sit with your baby in the bathroom to breathe in the steam, or do this just before a bath so your little one can breath in all the steaminess. Sometimes we did this multiple times of day.
5. Elevation
Your child might need their head slightly elevated or propped up to help wirh post nasal drip and cough. For toddlers and older children you can prop their head with an extra pillow while sleeping to help with cough from mucus and post nasal drip.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) babies under 1 should not sleep with pillows and should only sleep flat on their back. Sleeping flat was not working for my baby at all while he had RSV so I held him to sleep. I barely slept for for a few days because my baby needed to be propped up to breathe and he wanted my comfort. So I held him in my arms up on my chest so he could breathe as easily as possible. Another option is to slightly elevate your baby’s crib mattress by placing a rolled towel underneath. Again, these are technically not safe sleep procedures so consult with your pediatrician and research safe sleep elevation to make the best choice for your child.
6. Plenty of rest.
Give your little one all the snuggles and downtime they need to recover. My son took so many extra naps, all contact naps, because he needed them. Don’t worry about staying “on schedule” or sleep trainging during this time. Let your baby sleep as much as they want while they’re recovering.
7. Use A nose aspirator or snot sucker:
A snot sucker is a musthave!! This snot sucker by Baby Frida is the best! It wirks do much better than the nose aspirator bulb in my opinion. We also used this electric one for quick sessions when my baby was being extra fussy. You have to try and clear all the mucus so your little one can breathe, so a nose snot sucker is super important!
8. Use over the counter, baby safe medication and products.
OTC medication can help manage symptoms like cough, congestion, and fevers. Please always consult with your pediatrician first for a newborn under 3 months old, and for proper dosing for children under 2 years old.
OTC Medicine and Products to Help Manage RSV Symptoms:
1. Mommys Bliss Organic Baby Cough Syrup and Mucus.
This OTC organic cough medicine worked great for my little one! The label on the box says it is safe for 4 months and up. We love it because it does not contain any honey, dyes, or artificial flavors. We used this daytime and nighttime combo pack. The night one also has chamomile. When in doubt, ask your pediatrician first.
2. Dye free infant Tylenol and/or dye free infant Motrin.
Always ask your pediatrician first before using these products if you have a baby under 6 months old. Both of these will help reduce fevers. We like this brand of Tylenol because it has no dyes or artifical flavors. We also use this dye free infant motrin and the Target Up and Up brand of dye free infant tylenol and dye free infant ibprofen.
3. Non Medicated Vicks BabyRub.
We used this balm to help our baby breathe easier with all the congestion. We rubbed a little under his nose, on his chest, and on the back of his neck. This Vicks Baby Rub is safe for babies and toddlers over 3 months old because it does not contain camphor. Do NOT use non babysafe Vicks Rub or another type because camphor can be dangerous if ingested by a child under 3 years old!
4. Vaseline.
We also used regular plain old Vaseline to help with the chapped skin around our baby’s nose. Vaseline helps soothe and heal skin. Use the original fragrance free kind. FYI, the baby Vaseline has fragrance in it.
5. Saline Boogie Wipes.
These saline wipes help keep your little ones nose comfortablely hydrated when you’re constantly wiping those runny sniffles. They work so much better than tissues. We like the unscented ones because don’t irritate sensitive skin.
6. Saline Nose Drops and Saline Mist Inhaler
Saline is a must! Use saline nose drops like these to clear runny noses, loosen mucus, and help make breathing easier. Even better though, was this saline inhaler. A saline inhaler like this one is a gentle and easy way to loosen the mucus in your baby’s nose and is great for fussy babies. It’s also reusable and you can purchase refills for it.
7. Frida Baby Cold and Flu Relief Kit
This cold and flu breathe easy kit is essential a baby starter kit for cold and flu season. It comes with the snot sucker, nose wipes, saline spray, and their brand of vapor rub.
When to Seek Additional Medical Help:
My pediatrician advised me to keep an eye out for these warning signs that might necessitate a visit to the Emergency Room:
- Difficulty breathing, rapid breathing, or shallow breathing
- Chest caving in while breathing
- Blueish tint to the lips, skin or fingernails
- Fever that goes above 104 F. (For newborns, call your doctor right away with a temperature over 100.4 F or go to the emergency room.)
- Inability to drink due to congestion or difficulty breathing
- Extreme lethargy or unresponsiveness
- Signs of dehydration like less than 3 wet diapers in 1 day
Dont forget to:
- Cancel social gatherings: While visiting friends and family might be tempting, it’s best to stay home and prioritize your little one’s recovery.
- Rest for the whole family: This is a marathon, not a sprint. Prioritize your own sleep and well-being so you can take care of your little one effectively.
- Offer extra cuddles and comfort. Your little one is feeling uncomfortable and needs you. Let the housework wait and give your baby the cuddles and comfort they need.
- Clean and sanitize toys, bottles, and surfaces as RSV is very contagious and easily spread.
Final Thoughts:
Patience is key! While RSV recovery can be a frustrating and worrisome time, stay calm, follow these tips, and trust your instincts. Most importantly, shower your little one with love and snuggles. Soon enough, it will be a distant memory, and you’ll be ringing in the holidays with a healthy and happy little one by your side.
For more cold weather tips check out this cold weather guide with fall and winter baby essentials!
Bonus Tip:
Check out reliable sources like the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) or the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention for the latest information and guidance on RSV.
2024 update: There is now an RSV vaccine to help prevent RSV in babies. You can read more about it in this article from the AAP with more information on RSV in little ones.
I hope this helps mamas! Leave me a comment! I would love to hear home remedies that you use or products you love when your little one is sick.
Very informative! As a first time mom, I really appreciated this. (:
I’m so glad you found it helpful! Sending you all the healthy vibes for the new year, for you and your little one!