Your baby's immune system gets protection from you at birth and for the first few months, and then with breast milk. However, at some point he will become more susceptible to viruses and you will need to know what you can do. October-December is the most common period for colds, flus and other respiratory illnesses in small children.

You should get a flu shot for yourself and all children 6 months and over to prevent this dangerous disease. A cold is more common and not as easy to prevent. While you may shrug off a cold, it won′t be so easy to watch your little baby deal with a runny nose and a potential fever. See if this is a simple cold or if there are accompanying symptoms. So first check on what I like to call FSMB — fever, stomach, mood and breathing.

Fever

The biggest warning sign is fever — see if the baby′s head and body are warm to the touch and if you have any reason to suspect a fever, test it. A rectal thermometer will give you the most accurate reading. For other thermometers, add a few degrees to be sure. If your baby is under 3 months and has a fever of 100, call your pediatrician and take the baby to the hospital right away — fever is most serious at this age. If he is between 3 and 6 months, watch for 101 fever. For all babies and toddlers 6 months and older, a temperature of 103 and up is a warning sign. When in doubt, always call your pediatrician, but do not rush to the hospital if the fever is light and there are no other serious symptoms. Also know that fever is somewhat a good sign, as it is an indication that your baby′s body is fighting the virus.

Stomach

If your baby is passing stools as always and has no diarrhea, that's a good sign. Then, make sure he is eating OK — not refusing food or drink. It is likely that babies with a cold are more interested in drink — breast milk or formula — than food. Feed him whatever he will accept to make sure he is getting adequate nutrition. Presence of diarrhea and lack of appetite are serious signs which definitely require doctor′s attention or at least a phone consultation. With diarrhea, Pedilyte or Gatorade are better solutions than any other liquid, as they are nutritious and will prevent dehydration.

Mood

If your baby is extra sleepy or drowsy now while usually he is an energizer bunny, take notice. On the other side, if he is incredibly cranky and cries more than usual, it is a warning sign. It is expected for baby to feel moody when he is sick, so some fussiness is not uncommon. You know your baby and you can make the call when this moodiness is more than you think is normal.

Breathing

Does your baby have any difficulty breathing? Is he running of out breath or not able to breath at night? Check his pulse and call the doctor if you notice serious breathing difficulty.

If any of the above indicators raised any red flags, call your pediatrician and maybe even go to the hospital. However, if your baby does not have a high fever and stomach and mood are relatively OK, do not despair, there are several things you can do to alleviate his pain during a cold.

1. Use a nasal aspirator to clear the mucus from his nose with suction. Better yet, put a few saline drops (such as Ocean) in his nose first. Your baby is likely to protest, so you may need some help with this one.

2. During bath time, give him a vapor bath using Johnson & Johnson Vapor Bath shower gel. Just put a few drops in the bath and run warm water over. Careful to not let the baby get any in his mouth.

3. Adjust the level of humidity in your house or bring a stand-alone humidifier. More humidity will help the nasal passages open up more and improve baby's breathing.

4. Make sure your little pumpkin is getting lots of fluids - whether from milk, water or juice. They will keep him hydrated and help flush his system.

5. Your doctor may suggest using Baby Tylenol infant drops - consult him on the amount, as it will differ by age and weight. This will help your baby sleep through the night.

6. Give him lots of love and attention. This is the time to offer plenty of hugs and kisses and shower him with your love.

7. Whatever you do, always trust your mother′s or father's instinct and call the pediatrician when in doubt.