Top tips for coping with babies and children with cold's #Competition

Autumn isn't quite upon us but, the horrible weather is and lets face it all those nasty bugs/viral infections are flying around like its party season. With that its inevitable that the colds are doing the rounds its horrible when you are suddenly struck down with a cold - you know the symptoms bungy nose, headaches, sore throats and aching bones, not to mention usually a cough and high temperature which lets face it can make you feel pretty unwell, so what do we do take to our beds? grab a bit of sympathy, take some paracetamol/Ibruprofen, walk the house at 4am cause your having a coughing fit you cant control, or grab a pint of water because your mouth is that dry you feel like you could drink the entire contents of the ocean and more alright so a slight exaggeration but you are probably thinking you know the feeling.

however for babies and children that cant talk, a cold can feel like the end of the world, they don't know that you have to blow your nose to clear it, or that in a few days they will probably start to feel better - a day for a young child is a lifetime an for an adult looking after a child with a cold 24 hours can seem like a lifetime and leave you looking around for those sticks to prop your eyelids open.

Im hoping this list will help you, although there is no cure for the common cold just having ways to manage them makes life so much easier so you can try and get at least get a few hours sleep and be able to function the next day.

• Drink Plenty - dont worry too much if your baby is off there dinners as long as they are drinking plenty for babies that are weaned offer you baby and extra bottle of milk or an extra feed on the breast if you are breast feeding, try and keep a cup with water, or diluted juice near by breathing through there mouths drys it out and will make them have a sore throat. with smaller babies you could try giving them a couple of ounces of water inbetween feeds to keep them.
• Rest - make sure if you little one needs to sleep, let them, as long as they are getting plenty of fluids inbetween.
• Raise the mattress - if your child has blocked nose, you can make their breathing easier by raising the pillow end of your child's bed or cot by putting books or bricks under the legs, or placing a pillow under the mattress (you shouldn't put anything under the mattress of a baby younger than one year old).
• Medicine - Liquid paracetamol and ibruprofen will keep temperatures at bay and will also ease there time when they are sleeping, make sure you follow all directions on the bottle

• Atmosphere - warm moist air can help with breathing and a blocked nose so you could take your child into the bathroom and run the tap or shower.
• Temperature - make sure the room they are sleeping in isn't too hot or stuffy keep clothing normal and use a thin sheet - also invest in a good thermometer this way you will have an accurate reading and if you notice there temperature is to high you can act. 
• Medical attention - Always seek advice from a doctor or medical professional if your child has any other worrying symptoms other than the cold it self also if you are unsure or worried better to get them checked than to leave it until they are worse.  

      Have you got any tips for treating a cold or anything you would like to share?

below there is a competition to win a £25 boots voucher so you can stock up on your, winter medication or save it for Christmas gifts the choice is yours enter via the rafflecopter below good luck! 

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(Please note that all entries will be checked against comments for validation).

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Only one entry form per person is allowed (however, you can tweet with the bonus click entry daily or use the free entry to increase your chances).

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Once the Rafflecopter picks a winner, I will check if the winner has done what was requested and I will contact them, if they do not reply within 28 days, the prize will be allocated to another person.

The giveaway will begin on the 29/09/15 and will close on 19/10/15 at midnight.