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.
When your child's nose is stuffy or blocked with mucus, they may breathe through their mouth out of necessity.
Is it dangerous for a baby to sleep with a blocked nose? While it might be comfortable for your baby to sleep with a congested nose, it's considered safe for most children.
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.
If the congestion interferes with a baby's ability to feed or sleep, or if their baby is older than 3 months and has a fever, they should talk with their baby's pediatrician. A healthcare provider will be able to diagnose the issue and provide additional care if symptoms do not improve.
Wheezing: When your baby has chest congestion, you will likely hear a wheezing sound with their respiratory cycle. This is because the blocked airways may be inflamed due to mucus accumulation. The wheeze will sound like a faint whistle.
Breast milk.
“A drop or two in the nose can help loosen congestion,” Altmann says. “Let baby sniff it up, then give him tummy time; when he lifts his head, it'll drain out.” You can also drain by holding your congested baby 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.
Gently wipe off the mucus around the baby's nose with tissues to prevent irritation. Limit suctioning to no more than 4 times each day to avoid irritating the nose.
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.
Medical experts believe that when babies use pacifiers while dealing with a stuffy nose, it causes a damaging pressure in the tube between the nose and the ear, increasing the risk of ear infection.
When breastfeeding, keep your little one as upright as possible. Try propping him or her up with extra pillows for added support while nursing. Congestion is often relieved when upright, so also try propping your baby up when they sleep by placing a pillow beneath their mattress.
Breastfed babies tend to get fewer colds and recover faster with less severe symptoms. Breastmilk is chock full of powerful chemicals called antibodies.
Gentle taps on your baby's back can help ease chest congestion. Lay them down across your knees and gently pat their back with your cupped hand. Or do it while they sit on your lap with their body leading forward about 30 degrees. It loosens mucus in the chest and makes it easier for them to cough it up.
For a congested nose, you can help your baby by using saline drops or a saline spray in each nostril, followed by clearing out any mucus using a bulb syringe. For a congested chest and nose, you can help by using a cool-mist humidifier in your baby's room.
Baby nasal congestion or baby “stuffy nose” is typically caused by anything that inflames the nasal tissues - usually a cold, influenza, sinusitis, or allergies. Overall, baby congestion is just extremely annoying and nothing to worry about, but it can really affect sleep and eating habits.
Newborn Congestion
A stuffy nose or cold in a newborn can take a turn for the worse due to their weak immune systems. If your newborn is experiencing a stuffy or runny nose, make an appointment with your pediatrician.
"The sound that a congested child makes is stertor," Walsh says. "It's almost like a snoring sound that indicates congestion in the mouth and nose." Stertor can happen with a common cold. It can also indicate adenoid enlargement from allergies or flu.
A blocked nose in children or babies will usually clear within two or three weeks if the underlying infection is caused by sinusitis or bronchiolitis, and around a week for flu. If your little one has developed an allergy, they may have congestion for many months at a time.
A phlegmy cough can sometimes be due to post-nasal drip or drainage when children have runny noses. In younger infants, a phlegmy cough could be due to bronchiolitis, a lower tract respiratory infection brought on by viruses like respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
When should I suction my child's nose or mouth? Any time your child is having difficulty breathing or is having noisy breathing due to excess mucus. Before feeding or nursing if his/her nose is stuffy. Your child will eat better if his/her nose is cleared.