Achoo!

Enough with the seasonal sneezes already. Here’s how to speed your little one through a cold…

- Katie Masters /bauer Syndication

Now you’ve got a child, you’re probably familiar with a certain sound: aaaa-tishoo! “Colds are common viral infections in children under the age of three,” says paediatrician Dr Katie Rogerson. “At this age, children are still building up their immune system, so they catch more colds than older children.” If you feel it takes ages for your little one to fight off that cold, you’re not wrong: “While older people tend to shake off colds in about a week, it takes up to 14 days for little ones to stop sneezing,” adds Katie.

The good news is that every cold your child catches kick-starts his immune system and helps to build it up. So, while colds might be annoying right now, by the time your little one starts school, he’ll be able to fight off many of the germs that come his way.

“And, in the meantime, there are plenty of simple things you can do to keep your little one comfortable – even when he’s streaming snot!” says Katie.

Prioritise hydration