Baby's First Cold:( - Brooklyn,NY

I would elevated the crib mattress and continue with the humidifier. You can get the bathroom all steamy from a hot shower running, then fill her a bath with johnson's vapor baby bath stuff and let her sit in the steamy room filled with vapor smell for a while. That always works good for us. Also...this sounds nuts but it works...put some baby vicks on the bottom of her feet rub it in and then cover with thick cotton socks. This works wonders for a cough. I have done that several times (even with croup) and it always works. You can also rub the vicks on her chest and/or back to help with the congestion. Make sure she gets plenty of fluids as well.

Hope you all feel better!

My Dr always told me to slightly elevate the mattress in the crib. That can help at night with the drainage. The shower should help a ton. My girls always hated the suction thing too and would cry so hard I think it made the mucus worse, so I just skipped that. I would just keep up with the steam, humidifier, and elevating the mattress. Just know you both will be losing sleep but she might rest during the day better than at night.

My 10 month old just got over her first cold too. It hurts to watch your baby be so uncomfortable, doesn't it? I bought two suction bulbs and I would stand in front of the mirror and give her one to hold while I suctioned using the second one. For some reason, that occupied her enough to let me do it. I was a little nervous about actually putting Vicks on her b/c she has sensitive skin so I would put some in a bowl under her crib with a little hot water in it to help with the congestion.

Sounds like you are doing a great job, I know that's rough! Make some chicken soup, do lots of cuddles and encourage sleep as much as you can.

I know exactly how you feel. My son got sick for the first time when he started daycare at 8 months with a nasty cold and fever. He is very much like your daughter - HATES bulb syringes and saline sprays.
Saline spray is very good in breaking down the thick mucus so one solution is the 'Boogie Wipes Saline Nose Wipes' if she lets you wipe her nose. These wipes are moist with the saline solution and it does a great job in getting the solution inside their nose when you wipe it down and also the wipes do a very good job of cleaning up the snot.
Again, it is an alternative to the saline spray. I have a pack in my diaper bag for on the go. My son is still not a big fan of saline spray but he will let me spray it in his nose now. He is 9.5 months now.
I would also agree with elevating their head a bit when they sleep. Lots of cuddles & plenty of fluids(breast milk, if nursing & water). Dehydration is always of concern, especially when infants get sick.
You seemed to be doing everything else right and keep in mind - it is a cold and just like any other virus will run its course. Hang in there!

Congratulations on making it to 11 months old without a cold! That is amazing! My first child got his first cold at around 6 weeks old. It was tough, so i totally understand. Here are a few things you can do:

Try propping his head up when he sleeps. You can put the mattress on a bit of an angle by putting something under the mattress on one side.

Use a cool mist humidifier.

Only suction his nose if it's necessary (excess mucous) but don't over suction the nose.

You can use steam in the bathroom to loosen the mucous.

Hope this helps... Colds can feel very scary in babies but they usually resolve without issue.

When he's healthy, you definitely should get him his flu vaccine =)