Ways To Relieve Stuffy Nose In Your Baby
You can decongest your baby in the following ways:
How To Help With Baby Congestion
We know itâs been hard on you and your baby. Here are a few techniques you can try to help your little one breathe better and save you both some sleepless nights.
Saline drops with a nasal aspirator or suction bulb
The best way to relieve nasal infant congestion is using good old-fashioned saline drops or saline spray. This helps to clear any thick mucus blocking their nostrils. You can then use either a nasal aspirator or a bulb syringe to suck out the mucus.
With the nasal aspirator, place the tip in your babyâs nostril and suck on the other end until the mucus comes out.
In case you use a bulb syringe, squeeze the bulb before you place the tip in your babyâs nose and then release it. This will suck out any mucus in the nose that might make it difficult for your baby to breathe.
Follow this method before feeding and nap times to make it easier for both of you.
Use a cool-mist humidifier
The winter season might cause dryness and worsen your babyâs congestion. To combat this, use cool-mist humidifiers, which help moisten your little oneâs nasal passages without heating up their nursery.
Place it out of reach of your baby but somewhere close so that the air will reach them. Wash and dry out the humidifier every day or after use to avoid mold.
Keep them hydrated
To compensate for the reduced feeding time, nurse/bottle feed your baby as often as possible. ð¼ This helps to avoid your baby getting dehydrated.
Air out your babyâs room
Hold your baby upright
Congestion Vs Runny Nose
Congestion is when nasal passages are swollen with excess mucus, while a runny nose is characterized by fluid coming out of the nose. “Stuffy noses are on the opposite spectrum of the runny nose,” says Dr. Stempel.
“An upper respiratory infection, or the common cold, is the most common cause of a runny nose in babies,” says Hilary Stempel, MD, MPH, a pediatrician at Children’s Hospital Colorado and assistant professor of pediatrics at University of Colorado School of Medicine.
Congestion, on the other hand, is not necessarily a sign of infection. “Nearly all babies will get a stuffy nose and this can sound very dramatic! Just a tiny bit of snot can block a babys tiny nostril and make loud ‘snorky’ sounds,” explains Dr. Stempel.
Verywell / Brianna Gilmartin
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Baby Could Have Caught Respiratory Syncytial Virus And Need 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 the pediatrician immediately.
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 doesnt clear within four or five days. In this case, your doctor might be able to inform you about how to clear a babys stuffy nose.
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Home Remedies To Ease The Cough
Even if your childs symptoms arent serious, it can be scary waking up in the middle of the night to hear your baby hacking away. Knowing a few home remedies can give you some ideas of things to try so you dont feel as helpless.
Consider making a kit containing certain items, such as saline and a bulb syringe, so theyre within easy reach when you need them.
When Should You Call The Doctor
If your childs stuffiness is accompanied by a fever, ear pain, a sore throat and/or swollen glands, or you suspect there is a foreign object stuck in her nose, call your pediatrician right away. If your little ones breathing becomes labored, even through the mouth, that also warrants an immediate call to your pediatricians emergency line or 911 .
Youll also want to get your child tested for COVID-19 if shes experiencing symptoms , and isolate her as best as possible for 10 days if she tests positive. Consult the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention COVID-19 guidelines , and check in with your familys pediatrician if you have any questions.
Youll also want to consult your doctor if you suspect an allergic reaction to any environmental pollutants, which is rare in babies, or if the nasal discharge is green, bloody or smells bad.
Sometimes those secondary symptoms are hard to discern in a baby, so if youre worried about your little ones plugged-up nose and her general comfort, a call to your practitioner is a good idea anyway, if only to ease your mind.
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What Is Newborn Congestion
Newborn congestion is when your babys tiny airways get clogged with excess mucus. This can be uncomfortable for your baby and in some cases make them easily irritated and restless.
During the first few months of life babies breathe exclusively through their nose. This is because it supports suckling by keeping the mouth available for feeding. By breathing through their nose babies are able to breathe and eat at the same time.
In order to keep the nasal passage clear, small amounts of thin clear mucus are produced to rid the airways of any irritating pollutants like dust.
When there is an increase in irritants the infants body responds by producing more mucus, this can result in congestion.
There are two main types of congestion your newborn could be experiencing, these are nasal congestion and chest congestion.
If Baby Sounds Congested Knowing The Common Causes Of Infant Congestion As Well As Some Tricks To Ease Babys 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.
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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 baby sounds congested and has a stuffy nose at night, 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.
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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.
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Types Of Baby Congestion
Baby congested but no mucus in the nose. Some babies might sound congested, but theres no mucus in their nose, which is also super common. The Texas Childrens Hospital explained nasal congestion in newborns is so common they call it nasal congestion of the newborn. Not only do babies have tiny nostrils, but theyre also obligate nose breathers, which means they can only breathe through their mouth when theyre crying, making even the most infinitesimal blockage sound awful.
Baby congestion in the chest. This one is trickier. If your newborn sounds congested, is coughing or wheezing, here are a few things to try to help soothe their symptoms. Babies under four years old cant take cough and cold medicines, so youll need to go the natural route here.
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!
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Remove Irritants From Your Babys Environment
As we mentioned earlier, your baby is extremely sensitive to air irritants like pollen, dirt, dust, and pet dander. An effective way to help your congested baby is to remove the obvious irritants from your babys environment.
Dust and sweep your home regularly. Leave windows closed when its windy and in the springtime when plants are blooming. If your little one seems extra sensitive, consider purchasing an air filter for your home.
Additionally, if youre looking for a way to freshen up your home, choose products that are non-irritating. These can safely be used to freshen up and perfume your babys nursery and linens.
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Keep Your New Baby Safe And Sound
As your baby grows and begins to explore the world, you want to do everything possible to help keep her safe. Here are our top tips for infant safety:
Safe sleeping
Back to sleep: When you lay your baby down to sleep, always place her on her back. This position helps reduce the risk of SIDS, or Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Babies should sleep near you in a safe crib or bassinet, but not in the same bed. Its safe to bring your baby into bed to nurse or cuddle, but return your baby to her own crib or bassinet when youre ready to go back to sleep. If you have questions about bed sharing, talk to your pediatrician or practitioner.
Safe crib: Do not use loose, soft bedding or soft toys in your babys crib. Its okay to use a thin blanket for swaddling. Sleep sacks can help keep your baby warm. Make sure your babys crib is safe: do not use a crib with drop sides, the slats should be no more than 2 3/8 inches apart, and the mattress should be firm and fit snugly into the crib. Check to see that your crib is Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association certified. More on new crib standards.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration site includes safety tips, a buying guide, and videos on correct installation.
Visit Seatcheck.org to find a child seat safety-inspection station near you and get help installing and using child-safety seats. You can also call 1-866-SEAT-CHECK to find an inspection station or to make an appointment to have your seat inspected.
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How To Unclog Baby Nose Using Saline Spray Or Nose Drops And A Bulb Syringe Or Infant Nasal Aspirator
- For infants, saline nose drops will be easier to use. For young children and beyond, saline sprays can be used. Both options help loosen the mucus and bring it down into the nose, making it easier to clear by wiping, suctioning, or blowing for the older kids.
- Put 2-3 drops or sprays into each nostril. Your baby might sneeze or cough with this thatâs okay and might actually help clear the nose too!
- If you choose a nasal suction bulb, make sure you squeeze the bulb first to get rid of the air and keep it compressed while you insert the end of the bulb syringe into your babyâs nostril. Donât go too far or it will irritate their nasal passage. Once in the nostril, release the bulb syringe to let air back in. This creates the vacuum and will pull mucus into the bulb with the air.
- If you choose an infant nasal aspirator, place the soft tip into the babyâs nostril again, not too far. You will then inhale through the mouthpiece and mucus will be caught in the filter .
Itâs never fun to watch when your little love is miserable. And then you add boogies and less sleep to the mix and it leaves you praying for healthier days. Youâll get there! Trust your instincts and if everything feels okay , let this run its course. And donât leave the house without kleenexes, youâre gonna need âem!
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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.
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Keeping A Babys Sleep And Play Areas Free Of Dust
Hygiene goes a long way as far as naturally promoting good health including keeping your babys nasal passages clean and clear so that they inhale only fresh air.
When breathed in regularly, dust can contribute to larger bits of dried-up mucus. Dust is also said to stimulate allergic reactions which can cause nasal congestion.
Naturalhome remedies are the best form of medicine for infants, especially for those under the age of 2. And when it comes to babys stuffy nose, natural is the way to go. Nasal congestion is no fun for anyone, especially for your little one who has no way of unblocking their nose on their own. Using a nasal aspirator like Bubzi Co.s Premium Baby Nasal Aspirator allows parents to unblock babys nose quickly and easily, providing them with instant relief! And if you combine the nasal aspirator with any one of the 10 tips above, your little one will be feeling better in no time. Theyll be able to get the sleep they need to get back to their happy and adorable selves!
The Difference Between A Dry And Wet Cough
If your babyâs cough sounds wet, itâs most likely due to chest congestion. The cough will often last longer than a runny nose, if your baby has that symptom as well. Itâs best to consult your babyâs healthcare provider if she has a cough, especially if sheâs under 2 months old.If the cough sounds dry or irritated, your baby most likely wonât have chest congestion. Dry coughs are often characteristic of conditions like croup or whooping cough, both of which can have a barking sound.If your baby does indeed have a dry cough that has a barking sound, or if your baby makes a wheezing sound when breathing, contact her healthcare provider as she may need prescription medication to treat the underlying cause.Be aware that experts do not recommend over-the-counter cough medicine for children younger than 6 years old as it may cause serious side effects such as slowed breathing.
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