How Many Colds Do Babies and Children Get Each Year?

No parent likes to see their little one suffering with a cold or congestion.  But it's a fact of life. 

Babies can only breathe through their nose, so congestion can be dangerous and uncomfortable.

Here are the Statistics. 

Babies average between 6-10 colds per year. 

In families with children in childcare, the number of colds can reach 12 per year! Sometimes it feels like they have a runny nose for weeks on end. 

2020 has put hand washing and sanitizing in the spotlight. But little ones are still germ magnets.  

Why So Many Colds?

The Mayo Clinic reports babies are especially susceptible to the common cold, in part because they're often around older siblings who are bringing home many different viruses from kindy and school, or they attend daycare themselves.

Their immune systems are immature, making them more vulnerable to illness. Web MD reports there are more than 200 different viruses cause the common cold and your child is developing immunity to them one at a time. 

Think of all the colds you've had in your lifetime. Your little one would have to get all of those – and more – to be immune to all cold viruses.

As your baby grows into a curious toddler, they are likely to be exploring, touching and licking everything, so it's easy for them to pick up a cold virus on their hands. Then all they have to do is put those chubby fingers into their mouth or nose or rub their eyes, and the virus will get a chance to take hold.

Seasonal Changes

Your baby may get sick more often during Autumn or Winter because cold air and indoor heating dry out the nasal membranes, making it easier for a cold virus to get a foothold there. Children also spend more time indoors during cold weather, where viruses can spread more easily from one person to another.  

But even as the weather warms up, a number of colds can hit in Spring and Summer.

Baby's natural reflex is to breathe through their nose (rather than their mouth), when feeding and sleeping. 

Even adults have a hard time breathing and sleeping with a blocked or runny nose - now imagine you're a baby who can't even blow their own nose. 

Don't panic. There are safe and natural solutions that can relieve cold symptoms immediately. 

Be prepared and pro-active.....

Cold and Sniffle Solutions

No prescription medicine will make a virus go away faster, but you can help your baby feel better and prevent the infection from getting worse by making sure they gets plenty of rest and liquids. Paracetamol can be effective to treat fever. 

The 3 essential products are: Nasal Aspirator, Vaporiser, and Anti-Viral, Botanical Essential Oils.

And a nasal aspirator is the answer to relieve a cranky, congested baby instantly, especially as they can't blow their own nose until around the age of 4 or 5.

The Snotty Boss Aspirator is a battery powered, waterproof snot sucker that provides constant gentle suction and is effective in clearing nasal mucus in 5 seconds.  As the snot is removed from the source, it can prevent secondary ear and chest infections.  

Snotty Boss is the safest, premium, motorised aspirator on the Australian market, and has been rigourously safety tested and registered by RoHS, European Notified Medical Board, TGA Australia and the Department of Health, Canberra. 

This means the constant suction has been set at the ideal strength for safe and effective snot removal - not too strong, not too weak.

Snotty Boss has a super quiet motor and is easy to use one-handed, while your child is sitting or lying.  The different nozzle shapes and sizes means it's suitable for newborns and premmies, older babies and young children. It's a lifesaver, until children can learn to blow their own nose.

The Snotty Boss Aspirator also comes with a free refillable saline spray bottle, to loosen up any snot, making it quick and easy to remove.  

If you've tried the "manual squeezy bulb" or the "parent suction tube" aspirators in the past (and hated them!!), you will be delighted with the battery powered aspirator. It makes a yucky job quick and easy. 

Your little one will feel better, breathe better and sleep better - instantly!

Remember, good sleep is the number one way to boost immunity.

Using a Cool Mist Ultrasonic Vaporiser in their bedroom will purify and hydrate the air, which assists breathing and sleeping.  The mist is room temperature, so it will not create heat or condensation. The mist also releases healing negative ions and hydrates the nasal passages, mouth and skin.  It is new technology that has better health benefits than using a traditional steam vaporiser.

The purified cool mist can assist with sleep and breathing, and relieve coughs and sniffles in a natural, safe way.  

Adding healing organic essential oils (not fragrant/chemical mixtures) to the water vapour, will further assist breathing and respiratory health, and relieve coughs and sniffles. Our most popular organic blend for babies over 3 months is Sniffle Season - with 100% plant ingredients of organic Eucalyptus (radiata), Lemon Myrtle and Cedarwood.

Parenthood Helpline recommends diffusing plain tap water in an ultrasonic cool mist vaporiser from birth to 3 months, to hydrate and purify the air. Generally after 3 months, essential oils can be added to the water in the recommended dilution

So now you know what to expect, your little one's next cold may be just around the corner.  You'll be so glad to have these products in the medicine cabinet, ready to use at the first sign of a cold.  It's the best decision to help little ones recover from colds in a safe, natural way. 

So whether you are pregnant with your first child, or have a tribe of little ones at home already, we've got you covered for the best cold and sniffle solutions in Australia.....

Disclaimer: We are not doctors or healthcare professionals or aromatherapists. Our products are offered for sale with general use guidelines provided by the manufacturer. Should any sensitivity to our products occur, please discontinue use. Our products are not intended to diagnose, treat, and/or take the place of medical treatment prescribed by a doctor or medical professional.