When kids head back to classrooms and daycare, sniffles and coughs often follow close behind. For parents of babies and toddlers, that first runny nose can feel like a fast-moving problem with no clear playbook. Doctors say most cold-like illnesses in children under 2 can be managed at home with calm, supportive care, as long as warning signs are not ignored. One common winter culprit is RSV, which can sometimes progress into bronchiolitis in very young children. Symptoms are often mild, tend to peak around the middle of the illness, and a cough can linger for weeks even after a child starts acting like themselves again.
A physician with the UK’s National Health Service, Dr. Ahmed Ezzat, shared five practical steps to make a sick child more comfortable. The goal is not to “knock out” a virus overnight, because colds and RSV do their own thing on their own timeline. Instead, these tips focus on easing discomfort, keeping airways as clear as possible, and preventing dehydration while a child rides it out. That approach matters most for little ones who cannot explain what hurts, or who struggle to eat and sleep when congested. It also helps parents avoid common missteps that can make a rough night even harder.
The first tip is managing fever and general discomfort the right way. Dr. Ezzat advises using ibuprofen or acetaminophen when a child has a high temperature and feels unwell, while following the dosing instructions carefully. As he put it, “If your child has a high temperature and feels uncomfortable, give children ibuprofen or paracetamol.” Just as important is what not to do, because some old-school tactics can backfire in small children. Doctors warn against trying to cool a child by pouring cold water over them or stripping off all their clothes, since young kids do not regulate body temperature as efficiently as adults.
Next comes congestion, which can be the main reason babies refuse feeds or wake up repeatedly. For a blocked nose, Dr. Ezzat recommends pharmacy saline nasal drops to help loosen dried mucus and ease stuffiness. This is one of the simplest tools parents can use, because it does not rely on suppressing symptoms, it just helps a child breathe more comfortably. If you are unsure how to use it for your child’s age, a pharmacist or clinician can advise. When noses clear even a little, sleep often improves, and feeding usually becomes less of a battle.
Hydration is the third pillar, and it is especially crucial when a child is breathing through their mouth or running a temperature. Dr. Ezzat urges parents to keep fluids coming, because hydration supports the body while it fights the virus and can help thin mucus. He suggests adapting the strategy by age, saying, “Try smaller but more frequent feeds for babies. And for older children, give extra water or diluted fruit juice.” The key is not forcing big drinks, but offering small amounts often and watching for signs of dehydration like fewer wet diapers or noticeably dry lips. If a child will not drink at all, that is a reason to get medical advice sooner rather than later.
His fourth recommendation sounds almost too simple, but it can make a real difference when a child is congested. Keeping a child upright as much as possible while they are awake can help them breathe easier, especially if their nose is blocked. Gravity can assist drainage so mucus does not pool in the back of the throat and worsen coughing fits. For babies, that can mean more upright cuddles and alert-time holds, and for toddlers it can mean calm activities while sitting up. It is not a cure, but it can reduce the sense of “tightness” that comes with heavy congestion.
The fifth tip is rest, because sleep is when a child’s body can redirect energy toward recovery. Just like adults, kids tend to heal faster when they are not overstimulated or pushed to keep up with their normal pace. Quiet days at home, earlier bedtimes, and low-effort routines can help. Parents often feel pressure to do more, but supportive care usually beats aggressive tinkering. In practice, that can mean choosing comfort, fluids, and calm over a pile of remedies that offer little benefit.
The guidance also highlights when it is time to stop home care and call for help. Parents are urged to contact a primary care doctor when a baby or young child has cold-like symptoms or a raised temperature, and to seek emergency help for serious breathing trouble. Red flags include struggling to breathe, pauses in breathing, becoming floppy, or being unable to wake up or stay awake. The advice also encourages parents to trust their instincts when a child seems seriously unwell. In other words, you do not need to “wait it out” if your gut says something is wrong.
For extra context, it helps to remember what a typical cold pattern can look like in kids. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that common cold symptoms often peak within a few days, and cough and congestion are among the usual symptoms. That does not make the days in the middle any easier, but it can reassure parents that a rough stretch is often part of the normal arc. Viruses spread easily in group settings because kids touch faces, share toys, and forget to cover coughs. Good handwashing, cleaning high-touch surfaces, and keeping sick kids home when possible are still the most reliable ways to limit the chain reaction through a household.
Fever guidance is also worth knowing ahead of time, so you are not trying to look it up in the middle of the night. Mayo Clinic advises calling for any fever in babies under 3 months, and provides age-based guidance for when to contact a clinician as babies get older. The American Academy of Pediatrics also flags high fevers as a reason to call, and stresses extra caution for the youngest infants. If a child’s fever is paired with breathing difficulty, poor fluid intake, or unusual sleepiness, those combinations matter more than the number on the thermometer alone. Knowing those basics can help you respond calmly and quickly when your child is sick.
If your child catches a cold or RSV this season, what home-care habits have helped your family the most, and which ones surprised you with how well they worked? Share your thoughts in the comments.
