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!
Use A Nasal Spray Or Drops
Nasal sprays and drops are one option for baby nasal congestion. When your baby has a stuffy nose at night or during the day, these products can help. They can be a little tricky to use, especially if you have a wriggly baby, but there are also some things that you can do to make it easier.
Nasal sprays or drops use a saline solution to thin out mucus and help unblock your babys nose. You can usually use these products from birth, so theyre suitable for a newborn blocked nose. For the best chance of success, use these products when your baby is relaxed and less likely to wriggle around. With a spray, you simply need to insert the nozzle into your babys nostril and spray once, then repeat on the other side.
Read Also: How Many Times Should A Newborn Eat
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
Read Also: How Frequently To Bathe Newborn
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 dont wait for crying before feeding your baby.
- If youre 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
Dont Miss: What Clothes Do You Need For A Newborn
How To Tell If Your Baby Is Congested
Your baby can’t tell you that she’s congested, of course, but you may notice her making more noise when she breathes, or having more trouble taking liquids. Sometimes you can see that she has a stuffy nose, and may even have mucus dripping from her nose as well, which is another sign of congestion. When your baby is experiencing congestion, it’s likely that she has developed an upper or lower respiratory tract infection. Here are additional symptoms of respiratory infections to look out for:
-
Nasal discharge that may be clear at first but then thickens and turns yellow or green
-
Difficulty nursing or taking a bottle
-
Wet or productive cough
-
Sneezing
-
Difficulty sleeping
-
Slightly elevated temperature .
Newborns and babies younger than 3 or 4 months have a tough time with congestion as it can cause discomfort in many ways. A baby isn’t able to blow his nose, so the mucus in the nasal passage has no way of coming out without help from an adult. Not only that: a young infant isn’t able to breathe well through his mouth, so any congestion can interrupt sleep, causing him to wake up. It can also make feeding more difficult, as the baby must stop sucking in order to take a breath now and then.
Also Check: When To Shower A Newborn Baby
If Baby Sounds Congested Knowing The Common Causes Of Infant Congestion As Well As Some Tricks To Ease Baby’s Suffering Can Make You Both Feel Better Quickly
It can be perfectly normal for otherwise healthy babies to go through periods where they sound congested and stuffed up, but when is a babys stuffy nose something to worry about? While seeking professional medical advice from a doctor or nurse should always be your first line of defense, knowing what commonly causes infant congestion and learning some ways to ease babys suffering can make you both feel better quickly.
Causes Of Chest Congestion In Infants
Congestion in chest is usually not a disease but a sign of something else like cold or other respiratory conditions.
1. Common Cold
The common cold is the most common cause of baby chest congestion. When a child suffers from a cold, mucus builds up in the sinuses and drains down the throat into the chest. Young children have a hard time coughing up the phlegm that develops since they dont quite know what it is, thus it accumulates in their chest.
Besides colds, other diseases that affect the respiratory tract can cause the same symptoms as a cold, including chest congestion.
2. Low Immunity
Young infants and toddlers have very low immunity levels as they are still in the developing stage. Because of this, they have a hard time fighting off illnesses. A child’s body responds to germs by trying to rid itself of it through secretions. If the germs lead to an infection, they can cause chest congestion due to excess mucus.
You May Like: When Can I Give My Newborn A Bath
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!
Home Remedies For A Very Congested Baby
It is tough to have a very congested baby. Just like with adults, the congestion makes it difficult for them to sleep and eat.
Here are some home remedies to help your congested baby:
1. Hot Shower and Steam
Run a hot shower and sit in the bathroom and let him breathe in the steam. This helps with congestion.
2. Saline Drops
When he has a stopped up nose, you may want to use saline nose drops.
You can make saline drops by adding ½ teaspoon of table salt to 2 cups of boiled water.
After the solution has come to room temperature, put one drop in each nostril then suck with the 1-ounce rubber syringe .
Do this before each feeding and at bedtime. This will make it easier for the child to breathe.
3. Breastmilk Drops
If you still breastfeed, you can use breastmilk drops too. Use breastmilk the same way as you would saline drops. Breastmilk is very efficient in reducing congestion in babies.
4. Elevate the Head End of Babys Bed
You can try to help your baby breathe better at night by elevating the head end of his crib a bit.
Dont do it by placing him on a pillow, though, since he could fall under it during the night.
Instead either put a pillow under the mattress or use something very stable beneath the beds legs.
5. A Warm Bath
A warm bath in a bathroom with warm, humid air can also help congestion and make it easier for your baby to sleep.
This can, of course, be a lot more fun for both you and your baby than just sitting in the bathroom with the shower running.
Paula
Don’t Miss: How Many Oz Of Formula For Newborn
Sit In A Steamy Bathroom With Your Baby
Run a hot shower and simply sit in the bathroom with your little one for a few minutes. The steam will help your congested baby breathe a bit easier.
Important note: only stay in a steamy bathroom for three to five minutes at a time. If it gets too hot or if your baby seems uncomfortable, its time to call the sauna session off.
How To Help A Congested Baby
Some doctors advise against treating your newborn’s stuffy nose, especially if your baby is feeding well and filling up diapers normally. The argument: Why irritate little nasal passages with salt water or blunt plastic objects unless it’s absolutely necessary?
Others may recommend some simple solutions to clear nasal congestion like using a humidifier, saline drops, and a bulb syringe. If you decide to try these home remedies, here’s what you need to know about helping clear your baby’s congested nose.
Don’t Miss: How To Get My Newborn Into Modeling
What Can You Give A Baby Or Toddler For A Stuffy Nose
Since you can’t give babies and toddlers any cold medicine, simple home remedies can offer lots of relief from stuffy, runny noses in little ones.
- Saline drops and suction: To clear up baby’s congestion, try using baby saline drops or a saline spray, which you can get at any pharmacy. Put two or three drops in each nostril, and then use a baby nasal bulb aspirator to suction the mucus plugging up her nose. Doing this before feeding can help prevent nursing interruptions due to discomfort.
- Vapor rubs: Some vapor rubs especially those formulated for babies and toddlers may be okay to apply to either the soles of your child’s feet or potentially to the chest, though always check with your pediatrician before using any of those products and get detailed instructions on how, regardless of what the label says. And never put the rub under or inside your little one’s nose.
- Humidifier: A cold-mist humidifier not a hot-mist one, which can pose a burn risk if a baby or toddler falls or trips on it can help moisten the air and your child’s dry, irritated sinuses.
Never give decongestants or other cold medications to babies or children under 4 years old. And beyond that, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends talking to your pediatrician before giving any cold medicine to children between the ages of 4 and 6 because it isn’t proven to alleviate symptoms in young children and could be potentially dangerous.
What Can A Parent Do At Home To Help A Child With A Cold
Humidified air is one of the best things you can do. It will help lubricate the nasal sinuses and prevent cough. If your childs uncomfortable, use of Tylenol and Ibuprofen would be appropriate. Use upright positioning for small infants and children, but only while theyre awake, and flat positioning while they sleep. Nasal saline can also help congestion.
Don’t Miss: Can Newborn Babies Get Constipated
Tips To Help Your Congested Baby Breathe At Night
All those sleepless nights really made us think hard about how to help our little one be more comfortable when the baby is congested. I have listed below all the best tips that we learned on how to survive the night when your baby has a stuffed up nose, including tips on how to prevent these viruses in the first place.
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
Recommended Reading: How To Get Rid Of Newborn Gas
Chest And Nasal Congestion In Newborns And Babies
Chest and nasal congestion are common symptoms associated with the common cold and other respiratory infections. However, because your baby canât simply blow her own nose, youâll have to take steps to help relieve your babyâs congested nose and chest. Find out how you can help treat your babyâs congestion at home, and when you may need to see her healthcare provider.
What Causes Bronchiolitis
Bronchiolitis is caused by a virus known as the respiratory syncytial virus , which is spread through tiny droplets of liquid from the coughs or sneezes of someone whos infected.
The infection causes the smallest airways in the lungs to become infected and inflamed.
The inflammation reduces the amount of air entering the lungs, making it difficult to breathe.
Also Check: Why Is My Newborn Peeling
What Are The Symptoms
It is important to know the symptoms associated with nasal congestion so you can determine if that is actually the issue your baby is experiencing. Nasal congestion is a fairly obvious problem, but there are some things that go along with it that may not be as apparent.
- Feeding difficulties.
- Spitting up through the nose.
- Baby picking at the nose.
Your baby may experience several of these and that does not necessarily mean that he or she is suffering from nasal congestion. The most tell-tale symptoms are nasal discharge and noisy breathing.
Its common for your baby to have noisy nasal breathing and sneezing in the first few days of life, and it improves over the first week. It is likely that your baby still has some amniotic fluids they are trying to expel.