Use saline drops or spray If you can't 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 baby's head back and spraying or squeezing a couple of drops inside the nose.
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.
This trick, which is primarily used to remove objects stuck up a child's nose, is performed by plugging one side of a baby's nose, placing your mouth over theirs to form a seal, and then blowing a quick puff of air to clear the blocked nostril.
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.
Keep Theirs Heads Upright
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.
If your baby has a cold with no complications, it should resolve within 10 to 14 days. Most colds are simply a nuisance. But it's important to take your baby's signs and symptoms seriously. If symptoms don't improve or if they worsen, it's time to talk to your doctor.
Babies can get congested when they breathe in cigarette smoke, pollutants, viruses, and other irritants. Their bodies produce extra mucus in the nose and airways to trap and remove these irritants. Exposure to dry air and other weather conditions can also trigger excess mucus production and congestion.
If your baby has a stuffy nose they may breathe through their mouth, which can make it harder for them to feed. In rare cases, a stuffy nose can cause breathing problems. Usually, nasal congestion goes away on its own within a week.
Breastmilk up the nose
It works just as well as saline to break up mucus too! Breastmilk also has wonderful antiviral constituents, including monolaurin and lactoferrin (in addition to vitamin A and other awesome nutrients).
Saline spray or drops given every few hours can help clear up nasal passages, thin the mucus, and shrink swollen tissues – and unlike cold medications, it's safe for babies and kids of all ages. Running a cool mist vaporizer at night in your child's bedroom can also help as well.
It is common for babies aged under 6 months to have a blocked nose (commonly called 'snuffles'). It is usually due to normal mucus that collects in the nose, which is difficult for the baby to clear. No treatment is required if the baby is otherwise well and feeding well.
Whether it's from a hot shower or piping hot cup of tea, steam can thin mucus and help it drain from your nose. For faster relief, pour boiling water into a large bowl. Cover your head with a towel, lean over the bowl, and breathe in the steam. You can do this three to four times a day.
Try Saline (Saltwater) Drops
Put a few drops into each nostril, and then use a bulb syringe to remove some mucus. It's safe to repeat this as often as you need. And if you do it right before your baby eats, it will make mealtime easier.
Giving a lukewarm bath (not a cold-water bath) to a sick baby can help the body regulate temperature back to a more normal level. Infant acetaminophen and ibuprofen can also help bring down a temperate. Make sure to check the product instruction, and talk to your doctor if you plan to use over-the-counter medications.
Often, babies will want to feed constantly while they have a cold. Their bodies know that they need the valuable milk that you are producing for an antibody hit to help them recover. Your breastmilk can help to soothe a sore and irritated throat, and frequent cuddles and contact can help with aches and pains.
Anything that irritates the inside of the nose can cause a stuffy nose. Infections — such as colds, flu or sinusitis — and allergies often cause stuffy and runny noses. Irritants in the air, such as tobacco smoke, perfume, dust and car exhaust, also can cause these symptoms.
Many people think that their nose gets congested from too much thick mucus. But, usually, your nose gets stuffy when the tissues lining it become swollen. The swelling is from inflamed blood vessels. Your nose can become stuffy because of a cold, the flu, and allergies.