Cold & Flu Season Is Here: What Parents Need to Know for Every Age Group

Cold and flu season is officially rolling in (BOO!), and if you’re a parent, you know what that means: runny noses, fevers, coughs that only happen at 2 a.m, multiple loads of laundry, and kids who suddenly only want you. As moms of five kids between us, we’ve lived through more sick seasons than we can count — and it never gets easier, but it definitely gets more manageable when you know what to expect.

Skyler and I both had children at the tender young age of 19 and had to learn how to care for each age group as we went (and with the help of some great pediatricians). We've went through RSV that turned out to be nothing much worse than a cold and RSV that resulted in admission to the hospital.

So here’s a simple, parent-to-parent breakdown of what illnesses look like in each age group, what’s normal, what’s not, and what you can do to help your little ones feel better faster.

What You’ll See All Season Long

Whether it’s a cold, flu, RSV, or just the viral junk going around daycare, most kids show the same cluster of symptoms:

Runny or stuffy nose, cough, fever, sore throat, fatigue, decreased appetite, and general fussiness.

Most illnesses are usually mild — but knowing when to ride it out at home and when to get help is key.

Let’s break it down by age group:

Infants (0–12 Months)

This is the age group that needs the closest watch.

Most common symptoms are: congestion, cough, difficulty feeding, low-grade fever, and faster breathing

What You Can Do

Keep a humidifier on at night (yes, it really helps.) I remember the first time I took my infant to the doctors when they were sick and I was shocked at the minimal suggestions on how to fight the illness, but it really was the one thing that did help once we started. Saline drops + nasal suction (15 minutes before and 15 minutes after feeding is what we found that worked for us to make feeds easier) Frequent smaller feeds. Keep them upright after eating for atleast 15 minutes. Monitor diapers (hydration is HUGE in infants)

What to Watch Out For

This age group can get really sick, really quickly, so call your pediatrician right away if you notice: Fever under 3 months (any fever = immediate evaluation) this can be something as simple as a cold, but it can also mean something more serious. Breathing trouble (retractions, wheezing, belly breathing) if you're not quite sure what they look like, I suggest going onto Youtube and looking at them to ensure you know what to look for. No wet diaper in 6–8 hours, lethargy (hard to wake, limp, unusually quiet), blue tint around lips or nose, or poor feeding or vomiting everything up.

For infants, trust your gut every time. Seriously! Be the best advocate for your child, even if you feel like you're overstepping. (Now I'm not saying yell and scream and be disrespectful!)

Toddlers (1–3 Years)

The “everything goes around daycare” phase.

Most common symptoms are: High fevers, barky cough (can be croup), runny noses that never end, fussiness, sleep regression, and decreased appetite.

What You Can Do

Here's the cool-mist humidifier again! Warm baths, but keep tissues or wipes on hand because all the snot sitting in their little noses, will come pouring out like a baking soda and vinegar volcano experiment. Honey for cough (only if over 1 year old), popsicles + fluids all day, pain relievers (Tylenol/Motrin as directed by a pediatrician).

What to Watch Out For

Stridor (a squeaky breath sound), this needs evaluation by a doctor, dehydration (dry lips, fewer tears, fewer wet diapers), high fever that’s not improving with fever reducing medicine, ear pulling or crying during laying down (possible ear infection), or trouble breathing.

Toddlers tend to bounce back fast, but when they’re sick… they’re sick.

Preschool & Early School-Age Kids (4–7 Years)

Better communicators, still get everything.

Most common Symptoms: Sore throat, headaches, body aches, stomachaches with fevers, persistent coughs, fatigue, and vomiting.

What You Can Do,

Hydration, hydration, hydration! (We love pedialyte - you need to keep the salt and sugar levels in their bodies appropriate. This is extremely important when dealing with hydration) Warm fluids (soups and teas, if appropriate), rest as much as possible (this goes for every age group), monitor pain levels, teach good nose blowing + hand washing.

What to Watch Out For

Difficulty breathing or wheezing, symptoms lasting 10+ days, very sore throat with fever (this could be strep & **reminder ** strep can also cause stomach pain and vomiting), rash with fever, neck stiffness (this can be a pretty bad sign and point to meningitis).

Older Kids & Teens (8+ Years)

They tough it out more, but still need you.

Most common symptoms: high fevers, severe sore throat, headaches, muscle aches, deep lingering cough (when they say lingering, they really mean it!), big-time fatigue

What You Can Do

Let them rest — seriously, hydration + electrolyte drinks, warm showers, pain relievers as directed, soothing throat sprays or lozenges, monitor energy levels.

What to Watch Out For

Shortness of breath, chest pain, fever lasting more than 3–5 days, very severe sore throat (again, possible strep), dehydration.

Teens may try to “push through it,” but cold & flu symptoms hit older kids hard too.

** When to Call the Doctor for Any Age **

Reach out to your pediatrician if you see any of these red flags:

Difficulty breathing, Dehydration (dry mouth, fewer wet diapers, dark urine, no tears), Persistent high fever, Fever + rash, Lethargy or confusion, Symptoms getting worse instead of better, Symptoms lasting more than 10 days, Your parental instinct says something is wrong!

Parent intuition? It’s real. Always trust it.

Final Thoughts From Two Moms Who’ve Been There

Every cold season brings the same mix of chaos: wiping noses, late-night cuddles, medicine schedules, and trying to disinfect your house while everyone is touching everything. It’s exhausting, but it’s also part of this stage of life — and you’re doing better than you think.

Before you go, here are a few more reminders and things that work for our family, to help you get through this dreaded sick season!

Texting your partner, or even yourself what medicine you give your child and how much (thank you timestamps!), make a sick basket (the medicines your child is allowed to take and syringes or cups to keep with the medicine), fevers aren't always a bad thing (they're telling us that the body is fighting something), remember that heart rates go up when you have a fever (this is normal to a degree), and one thing we always do is treat the kiddo, not the number. If your child has a 103 degree fever and is still running around and playing, they may not need any major intervention. However, if they have a 101 degree fever and they're laying on the couch unable to stay awake long, this is something that needs intervention.

You’ve got this — and you’re not doing it alone.We’re right here with you, every sniffle and cough of the way.

Love,