How To Help Newborn Congestion

Month Old Baby Stuffy Nose

When babies aged one month old have a nose that is stuffy, the mums should not panic. It most probably is nothing serious. The babys immunity is still developing and this could lead to them catching a cold. Their nostrils are also still tiny and this makes any slight irritation be pronounced. This leads to a nasal congestion. Tiny babies are also yet to learn how to use their mouths for breathing, this makes them quite irritable if the nose cant let in air.

How Do I Get Mucus Out Of My Babys Chest

Gentle taps on your babys back can help ease chest congestion. Lay them down across your knees and gently pat their back with your cupped hand. Or do it while they sit on your lap with their body leading forward about 30 degrees. It loosens mucus in the chest and makes it easier for them to cough it up.

What To Avoid When Treating Congestion

Many parents are quick to think of all the ways they would treat their own stuffy nose, but these ways arent always safe or effective for your little baby.

It is important to know what you should avoid when trying to help your baby.

• Vicks Vaporub: Vicks can work wonders on adults, but it can actually make matters worse for babies. There is a Vicks Vaporub designed for babies, but it can cause the snot in your babys nose to actually increase.
• Over-the-counter nasal decongestants: Its best to avoid these because many of them have not yet been tested on babies. You dont want to introduce a substance that could be harmful and that can actually make things worse.
• Your fingers: You may see snot and have the notion to want to take matters into your own hands literally. If you use your finger to try and unclog your babys nose, there is a high chance you can actually make the nose bleed and introduce infection.
• Tissue/Cotton balls/Cotton swabs: You may feel bad your babys nose is constantly running and maybe even flowing right into her mouth. Some parents have the idea of sticking cotton in the babys nose to absorb the snot. This is actually very dangerous because the cotton can travel upward and potentially get stuck, and cotton swabs can damage the inner lining of the nasal passages, causing more mucus and maybe even bleeding.

You may find certain products that say they are okay for babies. Many might be, but you should still seek your doctors approval before using them.

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Your Baby Could Have The Common Cold Virus

Most of the time, baby congestion isnt really painful for them, but it can affect their sleeping, especially if they get the common cold virus, says Duda.

What you can do: If your baby is really congested, Duda suggests elevating their head while they sleep.

Putting them in their baby car seat or even swing so they are in an upright, elevated position can help drain some of that mucus, she says.

Still have a baby with a stuffed up nose on your hands?

Try saline drops for babies noses that help clear out some of that mucus, as well, says Duda.

What To Do For A Congested Baby

Fortunately, many home remedies are quite effective at making your little one more comfortable. Here are a few easy treatments to try. Best part? You probably have many of these already at home.

Breast milk. It doesnt get more naturalor easierthan this. A drop or two in the nose can help loosen congestion, Altmann says. Let baby sniff it up, then give him tummy time when he lifts his head, itll drain out. You can also drain by holding your congested baby upright.

Nasal saline. As with breast milk, add a drop or two in each nostril. You can buy nasal saline or make it at home: Mix a quarter teaspoon of table salt and 8 ounces of bottled water, Altmann says.

Cool mist humidifier. Fill up the humidifier with plain waterno Vicks or other substancesand run it in babys room while shes sleeping. Put this close to the crib it really makes a difference, Posner says.

Steam room. Steam up the bathroom and sit baby on your lap or breastfeed in there for 20 minutes, Altmann says. The humidity loosens any dry congestion in the nose to help it drain.

Warm juice. For babies 6 months and up, try feeding baby a little warm, unsweetened apple juice or water . Just as with OTC products, theyll soften any mucus that ends up in the back of babys throat.

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Babies Cant Blow Their Noses And Need A Little Help

Older children and adults can easily clear mucus out of their noses by blowing them, says Benaroch. Little babies cant do that, so they tend to stay congested.

What you can do: To clear out baby noses safely and easily, both Benaroch and Duda suggest the NoseFrida baby nostril aspirator because it works well and is safe to use for babies. Generally, it does the same thing as a bulb syringe by clearing out the mucus in their noses, but its easier to clean than typical syringes. Parents suck the mucus out of their babies noses using the nostril aspirator .

Where to buy: NoseFrida The Snotsucker

Baby Congestion: 5 Common Causes And Remedies That Work

Babies are often stuffed up and congested, but when is a babys stuffy nose something to worry about? If your baby sounds congested, its important to narrow down the potential causes.

Seeking professional medical advice from a doctor or nurse should always be your first line of defense. But knowing what causes infant congestion and learning some ways to ease your babys suffering can make you both feel better quickly.

Here are five common explanations for infant congestion and what you can do to help your baby breathe easier.

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Give Your Baby A Bath

Who doesnt love a nice warm bath? Your congested baby will definitely love a nice warm bath. As the age-old parenting advice says, If your baby is fussy, either put them in water or go outside.

In this case, a warm bath can often soothe your baby if theyre bothered by their congestion. You can even transform bath time into a bonding experience with your little one with our bath time products.

Our Bath Time Essentials Set includes four essential plant-based skin care products to keep your baby clean and moisturized during and in-between bath time! On top of caring for your babys skin during their bath, stimulate your babys senses!

Your baby will get excited when they see, feel, and play with our Multi-Sensory Bubble Bath! It makes bath time fun and therapeutic for both you and your baby while also protecting and hydrating your babys skin! Then wrap up bath time with our Hydra Bebe Body Lotion.

Gently massage the lotion onto your babys skin. Our non-greasy formula leaves your babys skin silky-smooth. Your baby will be relaxed after getting out of the bath and massaged with our lotion, which will help ease their congestion symptoms.

Place A Towel Under Your Babys Mattress

Placing a folded towel underneath one end of your babys mattress elevates their head while they sleep. The added height, even if its just an inch or two, will allow mucus to drain from your babys nose and mouth while theyre resting.

Just make sure to put the towel under the mattress, as no pillows or blankets should ever go in the crib with your baby while they sleep. Also, remember that you should always put your baby to sleep on their back.

Tip: For babies with eczema-prone skin, try Mustelas Stelatopia Skin Soothing Pajamas for better sleep! These 100% cotton pajamas deliver soothing moisture to your little ones skin throughout the night so they can rest well.

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Time To Kick Some Serious Booger Booty

It is completely possible to win the Snot War. You can keep that nose crust-free and build up his cold combat skills at the same time.

These simple things will allow him to get the rest he needs to attack the cold thats causing the baby congestion in the first place. You follow these suggestions and hell be napping again in no time!

#symptoms Of Troubled Breathing

Firstly, if you want to recognize the common signs of troubled breathing, put your ear directly on your babys bare chest. Once you hear a sound that is rasping while he is breathing, then he has a wheezing. This points out that your child has got a cold, and it has gone into the babys lungs.

Antibiotics might be needed in order to eliminate them again. Even if its after hour, make a phone call with the doctor. He will suggest making a next-day appointment, or maybe he will ask you to take you baby to the Emergency Room. However, anyway, listen to his decision.

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When To See Your Babys Healthcare Provider

Contact your babyâs provider right away if you see any of the following symptoms. which may indicate a more serious illness:

• A cough thatâs painful, persistent, and/or accompanied by a whooping sound, vomiting, or turning blue, which means your child is having difficulty breathing

• Loss of appetite

• Fever âif your baby has a temperature higher than 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit

• Irritability

• Being sleepier than usual, or if your baby is hard to wake up.

When To Get Medical Advice

• Fever

• Symptoms get worse or new symptoms develop

• Nasal discharge persists for more than 10 to 14 days

• Fast breathing. In a newborn up to 6 weeks old: more than 60 breaths per minute. In a child 6 weeks to 2 years old: more than 45 breaths per minute.

• Your child is eating or drinking less or seems to be having trouble with feedings

• Your child is peeing less than normal.

• Your child pulls at or touches his or her ear often, or seems to be in pain

• Your child is not acting normal or appears very tired

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What Kind Of Humidifier Is Best For Baby Congestion

Moist air not only helps relieve your baby’s nasal congestion but it also can make for a more comforting sleep environment. When selecting a humidifier for your baby, it’s best to opt for a cool-mist humidifier over a warm-mist one.

Although they both accomplish the same thing, a cool-mist humidifier is safer because the steam from a warm-mist humidifier could get too warm or burn your baby if they get too close. Even an accidental spill from a humidifier can cause burns.

Ways To Help Your Congested Baby Breathe

One of the most common ailments that newborns face is congestion. If you have a congested baby on your hands, youre probably concerned and looking for ways to help your little one breathe better. Youre in luck! This post from the baby experts at Mustela will tell you just that.

Well start by explaining symptoms to watch for as well as what might be causing your babys congestion. Then well show you 13 easy ways to help your congested baby breathe easy.

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Run A Cool Mist Humidifier To Help During Night

After clearing newborn congestion, itll be important to keep nasal passages moist. A cool mist humidifier produces clean air. Its important when using a cool mist humidifier to use purified water to eliminate impurities in the water to vaporize into the air. We love this whisper quiet model from Crane that needs replacing infrequently, has a great filter, and a sleek design for any nursery.

With a kit of tools on hand, youll be prepared for any time that newborn congestion occurs and help keep your baby comfortable all season long!

How To Help The Baby With Nasal Congestion

Excess mucus in nose also results from viral infection. Stuffy nose becomes a breeding ground for bacteria leading to secondary infections in the ear. Helping the baby suffering from nasal congestion will not only make him feel better, but at the same time help him to recover fast.

• Avoid exposure to allergy causing substances such as smoke, perfumes and sprays, and strong smelling products.
• Use vaporizer in the babys room. It keeps the air humid and protects further nasal dryness.
• You can also try this trick. Run hot shower or tap water in the bathroom. Let the steam accumulate in the bathroom. Now take your baby inside for few minutes. The inhalation of steam will help to relieve babys nasal congestion.
• Thirty minutes after steam inhalation, try nasal suction to remove the mucus from the nose. But do not strain a lot as you may irritate the nose which may produce more mucus. Make sure you do not use suction 30 minutes before feeding or before the baby sleeps.
• Do not use antihistamines as in most cases they produce mild drowsiness.
• To drain the secretions easily, elevate the side of bed where the child rests his head.

Beside the above methods, there are many home remedies that you can try to relieve congestion.

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When To Call The Doctor

If you have any concerns about your babys congestion or if he or she has any other signs of illness, such as a fever or cough, contact your pediatrician.

Sometimes it can be difficult to tell when a newborn is sick, Dr. Danan says. A simple cold can become something more serious such as croup or pneumonia. If your baby is struggling to breathe or seems to be breathing rapidly, contact your pediatrician right away.

Warning Sign #: Dehydration

The second potentially-dangerous thing you want to be aware of is dehydration. Dehydration is actually the #1 reason babies are admitted to the hospital.

How does that relate to baby congestion? Well, a congested baby isnt going to eat well, because its hard to suck when you cant breathe through your nose. This change in appetite can increase his chances of not getting enough fluids and becoming dehydrated.

If you are dealing with a congested baby, increase the number of bottles or nursing sessions you have to compensate for the shorter feeding periods. It may be necessary to feed your baby every 30-40 minutes, if necessary, depending on your babys age.

If your baby hasnt had a wet diaper in 6-8 hours, call your doctor. She may encourage you to give him a few drops of Pedialyte, so I would have some on hand.

If you see any of these signs, your infant is in the danger-dehydration zone and needs immediate medical attention.

• A sunken soft-spot on the top of his head .
• Has a dry mouth or cries without tears.
• Cool skin with blotchy red patches
• A faint pulse that seems too quick
• Breathing rapidly, like hes run a race
• A feeble whine-cry, rather than a strong wail
• What the doctors call listlessness. In other words, he has no interest in playing or feeding, doesnt respond to being held, and isnt moving his arms or legs much.
• Eyes that appear to be sunken into the skull.

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