Congestion, Saline Drops, Snot and the Like. (Running on three hours of sleep makes it hard to think of a title for a post about Infants and Colds.)

Adelyn has her first real cold. Her poor little nose is equally congested and runny; she's got a mild cough and just generally doesn't seem like herself. Last night was one of the hardest yet--up at eleven and then not back down until three thirty in the morning. It took two bottles, a dozen shushing and rocking sequences, some Orajel, baby Tylenol, teething tablets, two diaper changes and an outfit switch until my three-a.m.-brain realized she can't sleep because her nose is stopped up. I should know this. I've suffered from allergies since I, too, was in a crib. After pulling out the bulb syringe she finally got some relief and we all got a little more sleep.

Today I went to the drugstore and bought every infant-cold remedy available. Boogey wipes? (Saline-infused wipes for the nose.) I'll take 'em.

I've tried just about every Google and pediatrician-recommended idea before bed tonight, including ten minutes in a steamy bathroom and baby Vicks Vapor rub. I would love any other tips, because I have no idea what I'm doing.

I do know that watching your baby suffer, whether it's from getting her six-month-shots or a rumbly stomach or a stuffy nose, is infinitely worse than going through it yourself.

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