What can a baby eat when they have a cold?

Written by Yan Xin Liang
Pediatrics
Updated on October 27, 2024
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When a baby catches a cold, they typically exhibit symptoms such as fever, cough, and runny nose. Some may also experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and other digestive system symptoms. Therefore, during this period, it is important that the diet is light and easy to digest. For instance, if the baby is breastfed, they can continue breastfeeding, but the mother should also maintain a light and easily digestible diet. Continuing with milk is fine, but it should be diluted to aid digestion. Additionally, light meals like porridge, noodles, rice paste, some vegetables, and a moderate amount of fruits as supplements can be given. Spicy, greasy, and stimulating foods should be avoided during this time.

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Is a baby more likely to catch a cold if they are deficient in zinc?

Babies with zinc deficiency are prone to catching colds, as zinc is an important trace element in the human body. When zinc is deficient, it significantly impacts the baby’s immune system, making them susceptible to catching colds, repeatedly suffering from respiratory infections, and experiencing a prolonged duration of illness. Zinc plays a critical physiological role in the growth and development of the human body, regulates the development of the immune system, and is crucial for sexual maturation. Besides causing repeated respiratory infections, zinc deficiency can also lead to stunted growth and development. Zinc-deficient babies are noticeably shorter and weigh less than their peers, potentially leading to poor appetite, anorexia, and even pica, a condition where children may crave non-food items like paper, soil, or coal slag. Zinc-deficient children are also prone to various types of dermatitis, such as mouth ulcers, glossitis, and various skin diseases. In severe cases of zinc deficiency, it can lead to delayed development of secondary sexual characteristics.

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Do you need an IV for a stomach flu?

When suffering from a stomach flu, symptoms often include abdominal pain, diarrhea, and bloating. If the symptoms are mild, it is recommended that patients take some antispasmodic and pain relief medications orally. In terms of diet, it is best to avoid irritant foods and consume oral rehydration salts to prevent electrolyte imbalance and significant fluid loss. If the patient experiences severe diarrhea, it is advisable to appropriately supplement with sugar and electrolyte solutions or liquids. If the condition worsens, the use of antibiotics and antiviral medications may be considered.

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Symptoms of the common cold recur repeatedly.

If cold symptoms repeatedly occur, it is primarily considered to be due to poor bodily resistance and physical fitness. In this case, it is crucial to focus on improving dietary nutrition by consuming foods rich in vitamin C and protein, eating smaller meals more frequently, and avoiding overeating at one time. Additionally, it is important to engage in active outdoor activities, increase physical exercise, enhance physical fitness, and improve personal resistance. It is also vital not to stay up late and to ensure adequate sleep, as the body promotes self-repair during rest and sleep, which can help alleviate cold symptoms more quickly. Besides these actions, it is necessary to follow a doctor's guidance and cooperate with the doctor to take the appropriate medications to treat the symptoms. Do not stop or reduce the medication dosage on your own to avoid repeated illness and prolonged recovery.

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What are the symptoms of a cold in children?

Pediatric colds, also known as acute upper respiratory infections, exhibit symptoms that can be categorized into local and systemic symptoms. Local symptoms include nasal congestion, sneezing, runny nose, mild coughing, discomfort in the throat, and sore throat. Systemic symptoms primarily consist of overall weakness, fever, reduced appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and generalized aches. In infants and toddlers, local symptoms are generally not as pronounced, while systemic symptoms tend to be more severe. For some children aged six months to three years, colds accompanied by fever can also lead to febrile convulsions. In older children, local symptoms are usually more prominent, while systemic symptoms are milder. Regarding this type of acute upper respiratory infection, there are two common specific types in children: herpangina and pharyngoconjunctival fever.

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Symptoms of a baby's cold

Generally speaking, common cold symptoms include a runny nose, sneezing, nasal congestion, some may have a cough, and others may have a fever. Generally, after most babies catch a cold, the symptoms are mainly respiratory. A small part may show symptoms of the digestive system, such as vomiting and diarrhea. There are also headaches, mental fatigue, lethargy, sleepiness, etc., so there are many symptoms of a cold.