My 6 month old has a cold, do I really need to run her to the pediatrician?

Question

My 6 month old seems to have a cold. About a week ago we were visiting some out of town friends who have a daughter about her age. They were playing for a while ("sharing" toys and everything else that babies that age do, including chewing on each other's hands). As we were leaving they mentioned that "oh by the way...." their baby was just getting over a cold. Now my little one is coughing and sneezing and digging in her ears (we spent time in the mountains and took plane rides so that could account for the ears, she isn't in pain, she's just sticking her fingers in them). She isn't running a fever so my first instinct is to just make sure she's drinking enough and to let her ride it out, her father disagrees, he thinks that we should take her in "just to be sure".

Now, to take her in I have to get a morning appointment and then go into work late, which means working later. It turns into about a 15 hour days for me. Not to mention the fact that I have to come up with the co-pay, which isn't always easy.

I want to do what's best for her, but I really believe that colds just need to run their course.

What does everyone else think?

Answer 1

You should actually take her to the doctor, it won't hurt, as a matter of fact, maybe she isn't sick, she might just be starting, so go to the doctor to prevent anything. If you get to work a little late, think about it: you did the right thing, babies come first than work, don't they?

Good luck!

Answer 2

Sounds like a run of the mill cold. I would keep her home personally. Keep her warm and happy and I'm sure she'll get over it.  

Answer 3

Sounds like just a basic cold that can be treated at home.  Unless she starts having trouble breathing or starts to run a high fever or seems like she is in pain I wouldn't worry about a Dr visit.  

Answer 4

from your description it sounds like a bit of a cold - no infection. I personally would continue to watch her for fever, difference in her snot, if she is stuffy-maybe she needs saline solution.

If she is not eating, if she starts tugging/complaining about her ears.

Give her some OTC medicine now and wait it out.

Nowadays doctors tend to be easy with handing out the antibiotics and you don't want that if it's not needed.

Answer 5

I wouldn't take her to the pediatrician unless she

A. has a fever

Or

B. may have an ear infection.

It seems like an average cold. Nothing to worry about unless the two things above I just said occur. It's normal, and her immune system will now take over.