If your little one has come down with a stuffy nose, he or she is not alone! Babies typically get anywhere from six to eight colds per year, which in turn causes major congestion in many infants. Nothing is worse than having to watch your baby feel sick and struggle to breathe.
Here are nine methods parents can utilize to help ease their baby’s congestion:
Saline Drops or Nasal Aspirator
Saline drops should be the first thing you reach for if you have a congested baby. However, sometimes saline drops alone aren’t enough. If saline drops alone aren’t enough to soothe your baby, try using them in combination with an aspirator or bulb suction. Two or three drops of saline spray in each nostril should do the trick.
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Adjust Crib to an Incline
Try placing a pillow between the mattress and crib springs so that the mattress is on a slight incline. The elevation helps mucus drain down the throat and prevents mucus from accumulating in the nasal cavities.
Run a Steamy Bath
Like saline, steam is a great tool for loosening mucus stuck in your little one’s nose. You can try this method by running a hot shower for a few minutes before sitting in the steamy room with your baby for several minutes. Make sure none of the hot water touches your baby, as it can burn him or her.
Keep your Baby Upright
Preventing the baby from lying down and ensuring he or she stays upright helps mucus drain. Hold or wear your baby, or only allow him or her to rest upright in a car seat or swing until congestion stops.
Keep Your Baby Hydrated
Staying hydrated ensures that mucus stays thin and does not accumulate. For babies who have trouble nursing or don’t want to take a bottle, try using a combination of saline drops and an aspirator before feeding. This will help clear congestion and encourage him or her to drink as much as possible.
Try a Cool Mist Humidifier
A cool mist humidifier moisturizes the air and relieves congestion, as dry air frequently causes congestion. Having one running in your baby’s room at all times would be a wise investment.
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Pat Your Baby
Tapping your baby gently on the back can help alleviate chest congestion. Try laying the baby down across your knees and tapping his back gently using cupped hands. This loosens mucus and makes it easier for the baby to cough up any remaining mucus.
Remove Hardened Mucus
Sometimes excess mucus hardens into a crusty substance around the baby’s nose. Clean it safely using a wet cotton swab with warm water.
Know When to Go to the Doctor
Congestion is normal in babies and is usually not cause for alarm. Colds typically clear up on their own within five to ten days. Cold symptoms lasting more than ten days are indicative of a sinus infection and should be treated quickly by a doctor. Allergies cause lots of sneezing, itching, and watery eyes. If you suspect your baby is suffering from allergies, it is important to take him or her to a pediatrician as soon as possible.
Eventually your little one will get a cold and a stuffy nose, no matter how much hand washing you do. Unfortunately baby germs are just inevitable! But that doesn’t mean your little one has to suffer. There are things you can do to help your baby breathe a little easier. To help your baby sleep, try a few of the ideas above right before bedtime. Have a steam bath, incline your little one’s crib and use a nasal aspirator like Bubzi Co.'s Premium Baby Nasal Aspirator to ensure your baby gets the sleep they need.
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