Bhavya's Q&A

If you are dealing with a teething infant, it is very common for them to refuse food. Many parents wonder when do babies start teething or when does teething begin, and once teething starts, they often notice a sudden drop in appetite.

In your case, she is not accepting food because of teething. During this phase, babies do experience a lot of gum pain and may reject solids temporarily. This is completely normal when teething starts.

You can offer cold teethers, as that can ease their pain. Giving cold, lightly steamed and cooled vegetables like carrot and cucumber sticks can also help soothe sore gums. (Always supervise while offering.)

You can also gently massage the gums with a clean, cold cloth to provide relief.

While teething newborns and older babies may eat less for a few days, their appetite usually improves once the discomfort settles. Keep offering meals calmly without pressure, and continue breastmilk or formula feeds to maintain hydration and nutrition.

f your child has a cough or cold, you can begin with home remedies for cold and home remedies for cough before considering any cough syrup or medication.

Help your child drink lots of fluids. Do you breastfeed or formula feed? You can increase the number of breastfeeds or formula feeds. Breastmilk contains antibodies that support your baby’s immune system and act as an effective form of cold treatment at home, helping with faster recovery. Increased milk feeds also keep your baby hydrated and energized.

You can also use a cool-mist humidifier in your child's room to ease breathing. Let your baby sit in steam by running hot water in a bathroom and sitting with them for some time. This is a simple cough solution at home that can ease congestion naturally.

Make an ajwain potli using a tablespoon of ajwain and a few garlic pods. Use this at night to help your baby breathe better and sleep well—one of the most trusted home remedies for cold passed down through generations.

Add some haldi to your baby's food. Research also shows curd might reduce the duration of illness. Warm foods like khichdi or thick chicken soup can help drain sinuses. Boiled egg might also help. These foods often work alongside home remedies for cough to soothe irritation.

You can also massage your baby using mustard oil and garlic. Heat 2 tablespoons of mustard oil with 1–2 crushed garlic cloves. Cool until just warm, strain, and massage your baby’s chest, back, and soles of the feet. This gentle massage can support comfort without needing cough tablets or cough mixture for dry cough.

A note on cough medicines

Both cold and cough are the body’s natural defense mechanisms. They help your baby fight infection. If symptoms aren’t bothering your child, they usually do not need any medicine. Many children with a cough or cold are happy, play well, and sleep fine. Only treat symptoms if they cause discomfort or disturb sleep.

Medication for dry cough, cough suppressant for dry cough, or any cough solution should only be used if recommended by your pediatrician—especially for babies and young children.

Some families also explore a homeopathic cough remedy as a gentler option, but this too should be discussed with a healthcare professional.

Key takeaway for parents

Start with cold treatment at home and trusted home remedies for cough. Medicines like cough syrup, dry cough medicine, or wet cough medicine are only needed if symptoms interfere with feeding, sleep, or comfort.