How To Help With Newborn Congestion

Effective Home Remedies For Chest Congestion In Babies And Toddlers:

How to Clear Nasal Congestion in Newborns

BABIES BELOW 6 MONTHS:

#1. Steam the room:

Add a vaporizer to your babys room. It helps to add the required moisture to the nasal tract of babies which reduces the breathing difficulty associated with chest congestion. It also prevents the mucous from drying and blocking the nose. It also helps to loosen the mucous so that it gets expelled faster.

If you do not have a vaporizer, you can run some hot water and steam your bath room and sit with your baby there for providing relief.

#2. Ajwain and garlic potli:

You can make a potli or pouch of dry roasted garlic and ajwain . Frequent rubbing of this potli on babys chest or under feet can help to reduce the congestion levels. Each time you use this pouch just heat it on a tawa.

NOTE: Do NOT keep or rub hot potli over babys chest or feet. Babies have delicate skin and hence using a hot potli will cause burns. Before you use the pouch on the child, ensure that you test the temperature of the potli, to avoid burns.

Keep it on your palm or inner wrist, if it feels too hot, wait for it to cool down a bit. If you cant feel any warmth at all, then heat it up again. It is just like testing the temperature of the bath water.

#3. Frequent nursing:

Frequent breastfeeding helps to prevent the solidification of mucus inside babys nose and chest. It also addresses the hydration needs of your little one and provides him/her with the anti-bodies to fight the germs and get well soon.

#4. Raise the head of your baby while sleeping:

NOTE:

Trouble Breathing: How To Tell

Trouble breathing is a reason to see a doctor right away. Respiratory distress is the medical name for trouble breathing. Here are symptoms to worry about:

  • Struggling for each breath or shortness of breath
  • Tight breathing so that your child can barely cry
  • Ribs are pulling in with each breath
  • Breathing has become noisy
  • Breathing is much faster than normal
  • Lips or face turn a blue color

When To Call The Doctor About Baby Congestion

Is baby eating well? Is there no sign of fever or cough? If he seems like his ol happy self, except for the blocked-up nose, then just let your little one be and simply keep a close eye on him. Its usually safe to watch at home for a few days, Fisher says. Call the doctor if the baby congestion persists, or if your child starts to heat up with fever, develop a cough or lose his appetite. Get immediate help if you see the following conditions:

  • Breathing using stomach muscles
  • Pale or blue skin

Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.

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Why Natural Is Best For Babies

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, over-the-counter cough and cold medicine makers have responded to the FDA ruling that their products must not be given to children under age four by removing them from store shelves. Research has shown these products offer little benefit to young children, and can have potentially serious side effects and a high chance of overdose when mixed with other medications.

Nose Drops And Suction

Baby congestion: Causes, symptoms, and home remedies

Squeeze one to two drops of saline nose drops in each nostril to help loosen any dried mucus and then use a rubber suction bulb.

To use it, first squeeze the bulb. Next, gently stick the tip of the bulb into a nostril. Finally, slowly release the bulb and it will pull out clogged mucus. Repeat on the other nostril.

You may want to use saline nose drops before each feeding to help your baby breathe more easily while eating, Dr. Danan says.

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How To Tell If Your Babys Nose Is Clogged

Other than obvious signs of a cold or infection, if your baby snorts, has noisy breathing, finds it difficult to feed or is very irritable, it could be because of a stuffy nose. Another sign your baby is congested is when your baby is breathing through his/her mouth.

If your baby is really stuffed up and is having trouble breathing, it can be a bit concerning, especially when it comes to sleeping and eating. Here are some natural ways you can help clear your babys nose, so you both get some relief.

What Causes A Stuffy Nose In Babies And Toddlers

It’s amazing that little noses can produce so much gunk but it’s also totally normal. Stuffed-up noses are caused by inflammation of the sensitive membranes that line the nasal cavity, and theyre usually nothing to worry about.

Congestion in newborn babies is common, even when there’s nothing wrong the mucus in her system means her immune system is developing.

Other causes of congestion in babies and toddlers are upper respiratory viruses like the common cold, the flu, allergies, cold weather and accidental exposure to environmental irritants like tobacco smoke. Your child’s nasal congestion and runny nose may come with other symptoms, including sneezing, a cough and itchy skin around the nose or face.

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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.

How Can I Help My Congested Baby Sleep

How To Help A Congested Baby Breathe

When a young baby is congested due to a cold, sleeping can be a challenge. But there are things you can do to improve their sleep. First, try using a cool-mist humidifier in their room. Not only is the moist air comforting, but it also can keep mucus flowing and keep it from clogging your baby’s nose.

Before bed, try using saline drops to thin the mucus and a nasal aspirator to clear away any excess mucus. Then, if your baby wakes in the middle of the night to feed, you can try clearing their nasal passages again if they seem particularly stuffy.

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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

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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Baby Stuffy Nose Medicine

Babies can’t have decongestant medicine until they’re 4 years old because potentially life-threatening side effects could occur, according to the Food and Drug Administration . However, “you can gently clear your newborn’s nose with saline solution and a bulb syringe,” says Michael Rothschild, M.D., director of pediatric otolaryngology at Mt. Sinai Hospital, in New York City. Saline solution is the only safe nasal spray for babies, infants, and toddlers.

To use saline solution, lay the baby down on their back and, if possible, slightly tilt their head back . Then spray two to three drops of saline spray into each nostril. Don’t worry if your baby sneezes some of it outit still made its way into the nasal passage. If any spray comes out of the nose, wipe it away gently with a tissue.

Once the saline spray is in your baby’s nose, you’ll want to use a bulb syringe . Choose one that’s specially made for their tiny nostrils it should have a rounded, acorn-shaped tip, says Dr. Rothschild. Once again, lay your baby down on their back. Squeeze the bulb to get all of the air out, and, while still squeezing, gently insert the tip into your baby’s nostril . Then release the pressure, take it out, and squeeze the mucus out of the bulb onto a tissue. Repeat in the other nostril for an effective baby stuffy nose remedy.

Give Your Baby Extra Tlc

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When your baby has a sniffle, cold, or stuffy nose, making them comfortable and doing what you can to relieve their congestion is the name of the game. And showering them with some extra hugs and kisses is part of that. Never underestimate the power of a little extra TLC! Dont wait to stock up on fragrance-free, hypoallergenic products, like Babo Botanicalss Sensitive Baby Shampoo & Wash. Then help ease baby congestion by following the tips and tricks weve listed above.Your little one will be back to their babbling, smiling self in no time!

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Your Baby Could Have Caught Respiratory Syncytial Virus And Needs Medical Treatment

Sometimes a stuffy nose can mean something more than infant congestion. Keep an eye out for these clear warning signs, says Duda: If babies are more irritable than normal, they just are not feeding very well, they are lethargic, they dont want to smile and play as usual or they are sleeping more than normal these kinds of signs could signal a more serious illness, such as RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus in babies.

RSV is one of the most common causes of respiratory illnesses in babies and is signaled by a lot of mucus that doesnt go away.

RSV seems to be more common in premature infants, so parents should be aware of that, Duda says. It occurs when the common cold virus starts to attack their lungs and needs medical intervention to treat.

What you can do: If you think your baby might have RSV, call your pediatrician immediately.

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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What Causes Baby Congestion

Several issues can lead to a congested baby. Some newborns get congested simply because their nasal passages are so tiny that a little bit of mucus, irritation from things in the air, or even a little bit of breast milk they spit up and goes into the nose can cause it, says Tanya Altmann, MD, an American Academy of Pediatrics spokesperson and founder of Calabasas Pediatrics in California. While allergies arent typically a culprit behind baby congestion, cold or flu is. In fact, says Gina Posner, MD, a pediatrician at MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, California, the majority of congestion in infants is caused by viruses.

Two Types Of Congestion And Their Symptoms

How can I help my baby with congestion?

Its important to identify which type of congestion is bothering your baby so you know how to correctly care for them. The two types of congestion that are most likely to affect your baby are nasal congestion and chest congestion.

And regardless of which type it is, congestion can be alarming, especially if this is your babys first time coming down with something.

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Baby Cough And Chest Congestion Home Remedies

Coughs and congestion are very common in babies and young children. Most cases are caused by a virus and simply need to run their course. Occasionally, however, a cough will require prescription antibiotics or steroids to resolve.

Because many over-the-counter cough medications are not safe for the little ones, parents may turn to natural home remedies to provide relief to their children. Fortunately, there are several home remedies you can try to help your child feel better while they recover.

If you believe your child could benefit from a cough or cold medicine, talk to your healthcare provider about how to choose a safe option and dosage.

Give Your Baby A Gentle Nasal Massage

A gentle nasal massage can help loosen and remove any substances clogging your little ones sinuses. Simply use two fingers to gently rub the area around the top of your babys nose.

This can also include the region just under your little ones eyebrows. Monitor your baby closely to make sure theyre not experiencing any discomfort.

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