An infant struggling with congestion usually has the common cold, according to MayoClinic.com. The primary symptoms of the common cold include a runny nose and congestion. An infant's immune system is still maturing, which makes him more susceptible to cold-causing germs. Children under the age of 2 shouldn't use cold or cough medicine. You also shouldn't use homeopathic remedies unless recommended by your doctor. The Food and Drug Administration doesn't regulate these products. However, natural remedies will help you provide congestion relief in infants.
Steamy Bathroom
Turn your shower on hot and close the bathroom door. After several minutes, the bathroom will get steamy. Sit in the bathroom with your infant for a few minutes. Then, exit the bathroom and her congestion should feel better. You can repeat this process as much as necessary to provide relief.
Nose Suctioning
Another natural method for reliving congestion in infants is suctioning your baby's nose with a rubber bulb syringe, recommends MayoClinic.com. Insert the bulb about 1/4 inch inside your baby's nasal passage way. Squeeze the bulb while inserting into the nose and release, which suctions your baby's mucus. Repeat this process in each nostril. You might need someone to hold your child during the nose suctioning. Infants don't like this, which makes it hard to do by yourself. Wash out your bulb syringe and repeat as necessary.
Mucus Thinning
Provide your infant congestion relief by thinning his mucus with a saline nose solution. This solution is basically saltwater and available at most drugstores. Follow the instructions, which usually involve putting a few drops in your child's nose. You can do this before nose suctioning for additional relief.
Humidifiers
A humidifier will keep your child's bedroom air moist, which makes it easier for her to breath with congestion. Place the humidifier away from your infant's crib. This will prevent bedding from getting moist, which promotes mold growth. Also, change the humidifier water daily to prevent bacteria and mold growth, recommends MayoClinic.com.
Fluids
A congested infant might not be interested in feeding. Encourage him to feed on his normal schedule. If you're breast feeding, continue to do so, which provides some protection from germs that cause colds, according to MayoClinic.com. If your infant refuses to feed, contact his doctor. You should also contact his doctor if he's running a fever of 100.4 F or higher.
