An effective method that will provide your baby with immediate relief is steaming. Steaming will help loosen the mucus inside the chest. Furthermore, it will moisturise the nasal cavity and prevent the drying up of mucus which can block the airway.
For babies 6 months and up, try feeding baby a little warm, unsweetened apple juice or water (test on your inner wrist to make sure it's not too hot). Just as with OTC products, they'll soften any mucus that ends up in the back of baby's throat. Chamomile tea. This is another throat soother for older babies.
Mild to moderate congestion is common in babies and should only last for a few days. If a caregiver is concerned about a baby's ability to breathe or their baby is under 3 months old and has a fever, they should seek medical help as soon as possible.
When your baby has a stuffy nose, upright is the best position to sleep in. You can use a baby carrier/wrap to help keep your infant upright as you go about your day, as this position will help relieve any stuffiness. Remember that you will have to lie your baby down on a flat mattress while putting them to sleep.
Inhaling steam helps to clear baby's blocked nose and open blocked airways. It helps your baby to sleep better and speed up recovery from cold , cough & congestion. You can use room humidifier or steamer to keep room air moist. Avoid to keep your baby close to hot & steamy water.
Children and infants have narrower nasal passageways than adults, making them more susceptible to nighttime congestion caused by inflammation or excess mucus. Very young children and especially infants, who mostly breathe through their nose, cannot blow their noses as adults can for temporary relief.
The best default position for your baby to be in when they have a cold is upright. This helps for congestion to clear and for breathing to become easier. And, most importantly, it helps them get that vital rest they need so much. To achieve this, consider wearing your baby on your chest while they nap.
Safety Tip: Parents often ask if they should allow their congested babies to sleep in an elevated position to help them breathe better. This is NOT recommended. Research tells us that a firm, flat surface (in a crib, bassinet, or play yard) is the only safe option for unsupervised sleep, even during an illness.
A parent should never apply Vicks VapoRub to children under 2 years old. For those interested in using a similar product without camphor, Vicks BabyRub is available. Parents and caregivers should use caution and read all instructions before applying Vicks to their children.
The theory is that the pacifier prevents the upper airway from getting blocked by the tongue. Some experts believe that they push any bedding away from the baby's nose, thereby helping them breathe, or that they can calm agitated babies and prevent them from struggling in the crib and getting under the bedding.
Concerning Baby Congestion Symptoms
If your baby is congested and exhibits any of the below symptoms, call your doctor immediately: Your baby is younger than three months old. Your baby isn't having as many wet diapers as usual. Your baby has a temperature of 100 degrees for more than three days.
Steam can work wonders for nasal congestion by loosening dry congestion. Try steaming the bathroom by turning your shower on hot and allowing the steam to build up in the bathroom. Sit with your baby or breastfeed there for about 20 minutes.
Make some steam.
Sit in there for 10 or 15 minutes.” The warm mist helps loosen excess mucus and congestion, and relieves some of the discomforts of common colds such as difficulty breathing, a sore throat, or a dry cough.
The longer you boil, the more nutrients escape. Boiling will result in vegetables that have some level of diminished nutrients. Steaming: Steaming baby foods preserve most nutrients, unlike boiled vegetables. During steaming, the heat of the steam cooks the veggies, and they are spared from the boiling water.
Your child has a fever or swollen glands. If nasal mucus or coughing is accompanied by either of these symptoms, she may have a bacterial infection that needs to be treated with antibiotics. Her nasal discharge is bloody.
Chest physiotherapy, also called postural drainage, is a way for you to help your child get rid of extra mucus in his or her lungs. This is important because too much mucus can block the airways in the lungs.
Gently insert the tip into one side of the baby's mouth (pocket of cheek only). Do not suction the back of your baby's mouth. Release the pressure and remove the mucus. Remove the syringe and empty the mucus by squeezing the bulb away from the baby's face.
Elevating a baby's head during sleep can help provide the angle needed to promote better breathing during nasal congestion. Just as an extra pillow relieves a stuffy nose for adults during sleep, a wedge can provide better sleep for babies during the worst of a cold.
Safety Tip: Parents often ask if they should allow their congested babies to sleep in an elevated position to help them breathe better. This is NOT recommended. Research tells us that a firm, flat surface (in a crib, bassinet, or play yard) is the only safe option for unsupervised sleep, even during an illness.
Postural drainage is a way to change your body position to help your lungs drain. If you have a long-term (chronic) lung problem associated with excessive mucus, or you have increased mucus from an infection, lying with your chest lower than your belly (abdomen) can help loosen and drain extra mucus from your lungs.
Your baby may be fussy and have trouble feeding and sleeping. Symptoms of nasal congestion include: Runny nose. Noisy breathing.
Gently insert the tip into one side of the baby's mouth (pocket of cheek only). Do not suction the back of your baby's mouth. Release the pressure and remove the mucus. Remove the syringe and empty the mucus by squeezing the bulb away from the baby's face.