Expert: David Olson, MD - 11/5/2009

Question
My 4 month old is very congested.  His nose is a little runny but mostly clear...once in a while a string of yellowish.  But, he is mainly coughing and I can tell it's really wet and he chokes on it sometimes.  This morning his eyes were matted shut.  I have a nebulizer for my 4 and 6 year olds...is it safe to use that on a 4 month old?  They use Albuterol 2.5mg.  Can the baby take that too?  I started it really young with my 6 year old, but I can't remember exactly how young or if the dosage was the same.  I have also put a humidifier in the boys' room to try to help.  Is it true that putting vapor rub on their little feet with socks over them will help?  Any other suggestions?  Thank you so much for your help.

Answer
Hi, Christie,

Your older kids have asthma and that is why they use occasionally a nebulizer. Your baby probably doesn't.  I would not use a nebulizer in a child  who only has a cold.  

Vapor rub or anything else applied to the feet will do absolutely nothing for a cold.

Your 4 month old should get extra liquids, get some rest and use tylenol for aches, pains or fever.  If he is having wheezing or a hard time breathing or just seems increasingly ill, he should see his doctor.

Good luck, Dr. Olson