A dry, stuffy nose in babies is a common childhood ailment that is usually no cause for concern. Nevertheless, infant nasal congestion can make it difficult for the baby to eat, sleep and breathe comfortably. Parents have several treatment options, and they can even take measures to help prevent the intensity and frequency of a dry, stuffy nose in the future.
Causes
Most stuffy noses are the result of dry mucus. An infant's nose anatomy--with small nasal passages and sensitive nasal lining--lends itself to congestion, says pediatric nurse practitioner Lisa-Ann Kelly on her Pediatric Advise website. Parents can be the cause of a dry, stuffy nose, says Texas Children’s Hospital, if they use decongestant nose drops too often or too long, causing a condition known as chemical rhinitis,
A baby's nasal syptoms can be caused by anatomic obstructions. For example, enlarged adenoids block drainage, and a condition called choanal atresia causes obstruction of one or both nasal passages. Choanal atresia is less common and is often identified when difficulty breathing continues despite treatment.
Importance of Treatment
When children have a stuffy nose, they often resort to breathing through the mouth. This can impede breast or bottle-feeding since the child cannot suck for any length of time if he needs to breathe through his mouth. Treatment is necessary to help the child get adequate nutrition, according to Texas Children’s Hospital.
Home Treatment Options
Because a baby cannot blow his nose to remove dry mucus, parents or caretakers must take action. A nasal wash made of warm tap water or saline solution can help moisten the mucus and allow parents to suck it out with a short-tipped bulb syringe. Parents can make fresh saline nose drops every couple of days by mixing 1/2 tsp of salt in 8 oz. of water. Administer the drops in one nostril at a time using a clean eyedropper or a wet cotton ball. Wait one minute and gently suck the loosened mucus out of the nose. Texas Children’s Hospital recommends that parents repeat the treatment at least four times daily, or whenever the nose seems to get stuffed up.
Temporary exposure to cold air can shrink nasal passage swelling, according to Pediatric Advice. For this reason, placing a cool mist vaporizer in the room where a baby sleeps may help make stuffy nose related breathing easier.
Home Improvements
Parents should minimize their baby’s exposure to irritants that can cause nasal passage lining to swell. Cigarette smoke, candles, incense, air fresheners, powders and even perfumes are all common culprits, notes Pediatric Advice.
Winter Weather Considerations
Cold winter temperatures usually cause an increase in infant nasal congestion, according to Pediatric Advice. Home heating systems tend to dry the air, which in turn dries up infant nasal passages. Parents can combat this problem by keeping the heat set below 72 degrees Fahrenheit.
When to Call a Doctor
In most cases, newborn nasal stuffiness is no cause for concern. However, parents should call a doctor when stuffiness occurs with a cough or fever, or if home treatments do not help and congestion interferes with eating, sucking or sleeping.
