Congestion in toddlers is usually caused by a viral upper respiratory infection. The congestion may affect only the chest or nose, or both areas. In addition to making your child cranky, congestion can cause breathing difficulties, trouble eating and difficult sleeping. Caring for a congested toddler involves easing symptoms while the child recovers from the infection and watching for signs of a secondary bacterial infection, such as sinusitis or pneumonia.
Step 1
Help loosen congestion in your toddler's nose by administering saline drops into his nostrils every few hours. Buy commercial drops at your local pharmacy or make your own by mixing 1/4 tsp. of salt into 1/2 cup of warm water.
Step 2
Give your toddler over-the-counter decongestants and cough drops only with your doctor's permission. These medications are not suitable for children under 2 years, and most doctors recommend them only as a last resort in preschoolers and older children. If your doctor recommends one for your child, ask your pharmacist for help in selecting the appropriate medication.
Step 3
Offer your toddler frequent drinks of water and sugar-free juice, and continue breastfeeding if your toddler still nurses. In addition to preventing dehydration due to fever, extra fluids will help thin mucus and make breathing easier.
Step 4
Run a humidifier inside your toddler's room while she sleeps, but change the water every day to prevent mold and bacteria growth inside the unit. Steaming up the bathroom with hot water and letting your toddler play in the room, supervised, for 15 to 20 minutes also helps.
Step 5
Prop your toddler up at night and naptime with an extra pillow, or have him sleep sitting semi-upright in a recliner. This will help ease both nasal and chest congestion.
Step 6
Call your toddler's doctor immediately if his symptoms worsen, if she begins running a high fever, stops eating, seems lethargic, experiences breathing difficulties, begins wheezing, vomits or develops any other new symptoms. New symptoms may indicate the presence of a potentially serious secondary infection that requires medical attention. Also consult her doctor if she does not begin to improve after several days of home care.
Tips and Warnings
- Nasal congestion is not the result of excessive or thick mucus. It occurs when the lining of the nose becomes swollen due to inflamed blood vessels, according to the National Institutes of Health. Cool-mist humidifiers are safer to use around children than warm-mist humidifiers, and they are equally effective, according to Dr. Jay L. Hoecker of the Mayo Clinic.
- Smoking around your toddler can cause and worsen nasal and chest congestion.
Things You'll Need
- Saline nose drops
- Cool-mist humidifier
