7 Things You Should Know About... Sniffles, Colds And Flu

Just when a bout of cold or flu clears up, your baby is down with another virus. EVELINE GAN finds out why doctors say this is normal.

- Eveline Gan

1 It’s normal for babies to get a runny nose, fever or cough every other month.

Healthy babies, toddlers and preschoolers catch a bout of cold or flu about six to eight times a year on average, says Dr Michael Wong, deputy medical director of Raffles Medical.

Some studies even show that babies under the age of two may fall sick up to 12 times a year – which is about once a month – adds Dr Natalie Epton, a specialist paediatrician and neonatologist at SBCC Baby & Child Clinic at Mount Elizabeth Novena Specialist Centre.

This is normal and does not mean that your child has a poor immune system or is sickly, Dr Wong says.

Contrary to what Grandma thinks, colds are not brought on by exposure to cold air, so don’t over-swaddle Baby if the weather is fine. This can make her body temperature rise when she is not sick.

“In other countries, flu seasons tend to coincide with cold weather, but the truth is, they are not related. Neither are colds caused by being exposed to cool air, having wet hair or wearing wet clothes,” Dr Wong adds.

The real reason is due to babies’ immature immune system, which makes them fall sick more easily, Dr Wong explains.

But there are many other factors, too, such as being exposed to germs from an infant-care centre or unwell siblings who end up spreading the virus to the little one.

2 Most colds and flu clear up on their own in a week or two.

Both colds and flu are respiratory tract infections that can make life miserable for your baby.