Baby Getting Sick Frequently (Frequent Colds)
Medically reviewed by Dr. Michael Okonkwo, MD, FAAP · Board-Certified Neonatologist
Content reviewed against published AAP, AAP, CDC guidelines
Last reviewed:
If your baby has been diagnosed with or you suspect baby getting sick frequently (frequent colds), here is what the evidence says.
The short answer
It is completely normal for babies and toddlers to get 8-12 colds per year, and even more if they attend daycare. Their immune systems are encountering common viruses for the first time and building immunity. While it can feel alarming, frequent colds are actually a sign of a healthy immune system learning and responding.
Key takeaways
- It is completely normal for babies and toddlers to get 8-12 colds per year, and even more if they attend daycare. Their immune systems are encountering common viruses for the first time and building immunity. While it can feel alarming, frequent colds are actually a sign of a healthy immune system learning and responding.
- Usually normal when: Your baby gets 8-12 colds per year, especially during fall and winter
- Call your doctor if: Any fever in a baby under 3 months old requires immediate medical evaluation
- Varies by age — see the age-by-age breakdown below
“Fever itself is not an illness — rather, it is a sign or symptom that the body is fighting an infection. Fever stimulates certain defenses, such as the white blood cells, which attack and destroy invading bacteria.”
Parents everywhere have the same worry. You are doing the right thing by looking into it.
What Parents Should Know
According to AAP, CDC guidelines, it is completely normal for babies and toddlers to get 8-12 colds per year, and even more if they attend daycare. Their immune systems are encountering common viruses for the first time and building immunity. While it can feel alarming, frequent colds are actually a sign of a healthy immune system learning and responding. At 0-6 months, newborns have some protection from maternal antibodies passed during pregnancy, so colds may be less frequent in the first few months. However, when young babies do get sick, they need closer monitoring because their airways are very small and they can only breathe through their noses. Any fever in a baby under 3 months requires immediate medical evaluation. It is generally considered normal when your baby gets 8-12 colds per year, especially during fall and winter. However, you should contact your pediatrician promptly if any fever in a baby under 3 months old requires immediate medical evaluation.
Normal vs. Concerning
When to Seek Immediate Care
- Any fever in a baby under 3 months old requires immediate medical evaluation
- Your baby has difficulty breathing, rapid breathing, retractions (skin pulling in between ribs), or blue-tinged lips during a cold
- Your baby has repeated serious infections such as pneumonia, deep skin infections, or infections requiring hospitalization, which could indicate an immune system issue
By Age
What to expect by age
0-6 months
Newborns have some protection from maternal antibodies passed during pregnancy, so colds may be less frequent in the first few months. However, when young babies do get sick, they need closer monitoring because their airways are very small and they can only breathe through their noses. Any fever in a baby under 3 months requires immediate medical evaluation.
6-12 months
As maternal antibodies wane around 6 months, babies become more susceptible to viral infections. If your baby starts daycare or has older siblings, you may notice a significant increase in colds. It is normal for one cold to seem to run into the next, as each virus takes 7-10 days to fully resolve.
12-24 months
Toddlers in group care settings can seem perpetually sick during fall and winter months. Most of these are viral upper respiratory infections that resolve on their own. Toddlers may have 8-12 or more viral illnesses per year, and this is within the range of normal. Each infection helps build long-term immunity.
2-3 years
By age 3-4, most children have developed immunity to the most common circulating viruses and the frequency of illness typically drops. Children who attended daycare early often get sick less frequently once they reach preschool or school age compared to peers who did not have early group exposure.
What to Tell Your Pediatrician
- Describe when you first noticed baby getting sick frequently (frequent colds) and how it has changed over time.
- Note your baby's current age and which age-specific patterns you are seeing.
- Mention if your baby seems to have a cold that never fully resolves, lasting beyond 10-14 days, which may suggest a sinus infection or allergies.
- Mention if your baby gets frequent ear infections along with colds.
- Bring a list of any questions or observations you want to discuss at the appointment.
What Should You Do?
When to take action
- Your baby gets 8-12 colds per year, especially during fall and winter
- Each cold lasts 7-10 days and your baby recovers fully between illnesses
- Your baby is growing well, gaining weight, and meeting developmental milestones despite frequent colds
- The colds are simple upper respiratory symptoms: runny nose, mild cough, occasionally a low-grade fever
- Your baby is in daycare or has older siblings bringing viruses home
- Your baby seems to have a cold that never fully resolves, lasting beyond 10-14 days, which may suggest a sinus infection or allergies
- Your baby gets frequent ear infections along with colds
- You feel the frequency or severity of illnesses is unusual even accounting for daycare exposure
- Your baby has recurrent wheezing episodes with colds
- Any fever in a baby under 3 months old requires immediate medical evaluation
- Your baby has difficulty breathing, rapid breathing, retractions (skin pulling in between ribs), or blue-tinged lips during a cold
- Your baby has repeated serious infections such as pneumonia, deep skin infections, or infections requiring hospitalization, which could indicate an immune system issue
What You Can Do at Home
- Keep track of when you notice baby getting sick frequently (frequent colds) — noting the time of day, duration, and any triggers can help your pediatrician.
- Remember that your baby gets 8-12 colds per year, especially during fall and winter — this is generally within the range of normal.
- At 0-6 months, focus on observation rather than intervention unless your pediatrician advises otherwise.
- Follow any care instructions from your pediatrician. Keep a written log of symptoms to bring to appointments.
- While monitoring at home, seek immediate care if any fever in a baby under 3 months old requires immediate medical evaluation.
Related Resources
Frequently asked questions
Is baby getting sick frequently (frequent colds) normal?
When should I call the doctor about baby getting sick frequently (frequent colds)?
When is baby getting sick frequently (frequent colds) normal?
What causes baby getting sick frequently (frequent colds)?
What should I mention to my pediatrician about baby getting sick frequently (frequent colds)?
Is baby getting sick frequently (frequent colds) normal at 0-6 months?
Is baby getting sick frequently (frequent colds) normal at 6-12 months?
Should I go to the ER for baby getting sick frequently (frequent colds)?
Does baby getting sick frequently (frequent colds) go away on its own?
References
Doctor Visit Checklist
Bring this checklist to your next pediatrician visit to discuss Baby Getting Sick Frequently (Frequent Colds).
Things to mention
- Describe when you first noticed baby getting sick frequently (frequent colds) and how it has changed over time.
- Note your baby's current age and which age-specific patterns you are seeing.
- Mention if your baby seems to have a cold that never fully resolves, lasting beyond 10-14 days, which may suggest a sinus infection or allergies.
- Mention if your baby gets frequent ear infections along with colds.
- Bring a list of any questions or observations you want to discuss at the appointment.
Observations to share
- Your baby seems to have a cold that never fully resolves, lasting beyond 10-14 days, which may suggest a sinus infection or allergies
- Your baby gets frequent ear infections along with colds
- You feel the frequency or severity of illnesses is unusual even accounting for daycare exposure
Urgent signs to report immediately
- Any fever in a baby under 3 months old requires immediate medical evaluation
- Your baby has difficulty breathing, rapid breathing, retractions (skin pulling in between ribs), or blue-tinged lips during a cold
- Your baby has repeated serious infections such as pneumonia, deep skin infections, or infections requiring hospitalization, which could indicate an immune system issue
My notes
From ismybabyalright.com — free, evidence-based baby health guides
All content follows our editorial policy and is reviewed against published clinical guidelines.
2,705 evidence-based guides6 authoritative medical sources5 medical advisory board members
Related Resources
Bottom line
Most cases of baby getting sick frequently (frequent colds) are normal. Talk to your pediatrician if any fever in a baby under 3 months old requires immediate medical evaluation.
Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, reach out to your pediatrician. Worrying about your baby means you care — that is a good thing.
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