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
Suction Your Babys Nose With A Bulb Syringe
Babies cant blow their noses yet, so youll have to help them out a bit thats where a bulb syringe comes in handy.To help your baby get the boogies and mucus out of their nose, first squeeze the air out of the bulb syringe and keep squeezing. Then gently and carefully insert the tip ¼ or ½ inch into one nostril. While the tip is still in their nose, release the bulb so that it sucks mucus out, then remove it from their nose. Squeeze the mucus in the bulb syringe into a tissue before repeating the same steps on your babys other nostril. Dont forget to clean your bulb syringe afterward!
Let Your Baby Sip On Warm Juice
Just like you enjoy a warm drink when you have a cold, your baby might enjoy and benefit from a cup of warm juice. Just keep in mind that if your baby is under six months old, they shouldnt drink anything except breastmilk or formula. But if your little one is older than six months and knows how to sip from a sippy cup, try offering them warm apple juice. Dont forget to test the juice first to make sure its not too hot!
Recommended Reading: What Causes Eczema In Newborn Babies
What Stuffy Nose Symptoms Are Concerning When Should We Seek Medical Advice
- If your babe is under 3 months old, chat with the doctor sooner than later. Things progress quickly in our little guys, better safe than sorry!
- If symptoms are lasting longer than 10 days.
- Sinus pain or sinus pressure along with symptoms. Our tiny babes wonât be able to tell us this, so youâll have to use your Mommy Radar to determine if theyâre having head/sinus pain that doesnât feel normal to you.
- Ear pain. The build-up from stuffy noses puts our babes at risk for ear infection, so if they appear to be grabbing or pawing at that ear while they are more fussy than usual, call the doc.
- Signs of dehydration
- Yellow or green âgoopâ/discharge from their eyes.
- Sometimes our babes spit up or throw up because of mucus draining down their throat or excessive crying. This can be normal. If it is ever blood-tinged or you feel like itâs from something else , call your doctor.
- If youâre ever concerned it is not related to a cold or virus, ask your doctor. Maybe itâs allergy related or something else more serious. Follow your gut!
- Anytime your babe is wheezing or has trouble breathing – go to the emergency room.
- Fever, depending on age: 0-3 months: > 100.4 F 3-24 months: > 102 F 2 yrs+: > 104 F
How To Relieve Nasal Congestion
The moment you notice your baby is a little congested, you probably begin wondering what you can do to help. Depending on the severity of the congestion, you have varied options.
Also Check: How To Get Newborn To Take Pacifier
What To Do If Your Baby Is Congested
One of the most tiring and teary-eyed experiences of a parent comes when a little baby is congested. Babies breathe primarily through their noses, particularly while breastfeeding or bottle feeding, which makes the experience all the more uncomfortable, and increases their risk of dehydration.
On top of this, a snotty, weepy baby is a pitiful sight that makes this mommy cry.
I have collected some tried and true tricks for relieving baby congestion and bringing comfort. Now that the Federal Drug Administration has declared cold and flu medicines unsafe for children under 2 years old, it becomes all the more important to have alternative methods at your disposal.
If none of them work and your baby is unable to breastfeed or take a bottle, this is a situation in which I recommend consulting a pediatrician or naturopath. Sick babies need to eat and drink more frequently, not less.
1. The Bathroom Steam
This is one of the first things I try when a babys nose is stuffed up. I bring my baby into the bathroom, shut the door, and turn the shower on very hot in order to turn the bathroom into a steam room. We sit there for a good ten minutes. Steam helps loosen the mucus in the nasal passages so that you can clear them.
2. Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus essential oil is one of the most useful oils you can have on hand. If you do not have a store nearby that sells it, it is worth the small investment to purchase it online.
3. The Bulb Syringe
4. Breast Milk or Saline Solution
Warm Bath Or Steam Shower
Run a hot shower, close the door to the bathroom, and let baby breathe in the steam. The warm steam will help loosen and expel hardened or thick mucus. Alternatively, place baby in a warm bath. If your baby has a cold or the flu, add immune-boosting and anti-viral herbs to the water. Try:
- Thyme, an anti-viral that helps expel congestion, especially from the lungs and chest.
- English ivy, studies show this plantan ingredient in some childrens natural cough medicinehelp treat pediatric cough in 96 percent of cases.
- Lavender and chamomile, which are calming and soothing to help baby sleep.
- Epsom salts, which provide magnesium for better muscle function and detox. Studies like this one and this one have shown its an effective muscle relaxer and helps improve breathing.
To make an herb bath, put 1 tablespoon of the dried herb in a tea ball, soak in hot water, and put in bath water. Repeat up to six times per day.
Recommended Reading: How Do You Get Insurance For A Newborn
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.
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.
Don’t Miss: What Can You Do For A Constipated Newborn Baby
Two Types Of Congestion And Their Symptoms
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.
When To Visit The Doctor
Most of the time, baby congestion is nothing to worry about. But you should visit the doctor if your little one has difficulty breathing, wheezing noises, trouble feeding, or a fever. Also make an appointment if congestion doesn’t clear within four or five days. In this case, your doctor might be able to inform you about how to clear a baby’s stuffy nose.
Also Check: How Often Do Newborns Breastfeed
Nose Drops And Suction
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.
Have A Steamy Bath Or Shower
Steam can also help loosen the mucus thats making your baby congested at night. Similar to the vaporizer and humidifier, placing them close to steam is way to make suctioning mucus easier.
You could run a hot shower for a few minutes to create some steam and then sit in the steamy room with your baby for a few minutes. Running the bath will have the same effect, as well. Never leave your child unattended in the bathroom with the steam.
Recommended Reading: Is It Common For Newborns To Fail Hearing Test
Give Your Baby Extra Tlc
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!
Join Babos Family! Get 15% off and much more.
How Long Does Newborn Congestion Last
Newborns often have congested noses soon after birth because of the excess amniotic fluid in their noses. As a result, you may notice them sneezing more frequently as they work to clear the congestion.
Fortunately, this congestion should clear on its own within a few days to a week. If you’re concerned about your baby’s congestion or it seems to linger, talk with your baby’s doctor.
Don’t Miss: How Much Does My Newborn Need To Eat
How Can I Help My Congested Baby Sleep
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.
Breastfeeding: The First Few Weeks
There are many reasons that we recommend breastfeeding your baby. Breastfeeding is a wonderful way to bond with your newborn, and breast milk is the best food for your baby. Your baby doesnt need anything else to eat or drink except breast milk for the first 6 months of life. Breastfeeding is natural, but that doesnt mean its easy. Its normal for it to take time for you and your baby to get the hang of breastfeeding comfortably. We offer supportive resources, so let us know if you need help.
Beginning breastfeeding
- Breastfeed your baby “on demand.” In other words, allow your baby to decide when and how long to nurse. Learn to look for signs that your baby is hungry: puts hand to mouth sucks, “roots,” or burrows with head, looking for nipple fusses or seems ready to cry. Crying is actually a late sign of hunger, so don’t wait for crying before feeding your baby.
- If you’re not sure how often your baby is hungry, try the following schedule: Breastfeed every 1 to 2 hours during the day and every 2 to 3 hours at night. That could be as many as 12 feedings per 24 hours.
- During the first 2 weeks, wake your baby up if more than 3 hours have passed since the last feeding. The more often you nurse, the more milk you will make.
- Alternate which breast you start with for each feeding. Let the baby empty the first breast and offer the second if he or she is still interested.
Beginning formula feeding
Don’t Miss: What Clothes Do You Need For A Newborn
Use Saline Drops Or Spray
One of easiest ways to clear a babys or toddlers nose is to use a saline nasal spray. Nasal spray works by thinning out the mucus, allowing the nose to clear out and ease congestion.
If you cant run to the store for saline drops or spray, try mixing one cup of warm, filtered water and a ½ teaspoon of salt. Make sure your mixture is completely cooled before using.
Try tilting your babys head back and spraying or squeezing a couple of drops inside the nose. Then, follow with some tummy time or by tilting your baby on its side, allowing the mucus to drain. Keep a soft tissue handy to wipe his/her nose.