When your baby is sick with a cold, breathing, eating and sleeping may be uncomfortable due to the congestion of mucus in her chest and nasal passages. There is no cure for the common cold, but natural remedies that reduce congestion in the chest and nasal passages allow your entire family to get a good night's sleep. Talk to your child's pediatrician before trying any natural remedies to reduce congestion, especially if your child has additional symptoms. In rare cases, congestion may be the sign of a more serious illness, like croup or pneumonia.
Step 1
Suction the phlegm from your baby's nose with a rubber bulb syringe. Squeeze the base of the syringe to push out all of the air, then place the tip approximately 1/4 inch into one nostril. Position the tip so it is pointing back and toward the outer edge of the nostril. Loosen your fingers on the bulb, so it inflates, sucking the phlegm out of the nasal passage. Squeeze the bulb into a tissue to remove the phlegm, then repeat as needed on both nostrils.
Step 2
Give your child a lukewarm cup of one part water and one part chamomile tea if she is older than 6 months, recommends the BabyCenter Advisory Board in the article "Colds." The herbal solution may loosen your child's congestion and help her breathe more easily.
Step 3
Apply saline nasal drops to your baby's nose to loosen the mucus in his nostrils if his pediatrician recommends it. Saline nasal drops are a saltwater solution that is available over-the-counter. Tilt your baby's head back and apply a drop of saline as needed or as directed on the label's instructions.
Step 4
Run a humidifier in your baby's room while she sleeps to help her breathe more easily. A humidifier releases water vapor into the air, which helps loosen mucus in the chest and nose.
Step 5
Place two drops of eucalyptus essential oil in your baby's warm bath. The minty scent of eucalyptus may relax your baby and help her breathe more easily.
Tips and Warnings
- Breast milk helps your baby's immune system stay healthy, so continue breastfeeding, even when your baby has a cold.
- Humidifiers harbor bacteria if they are not cleaned properly. Make sure to clean your humidifier according to the manufacturer's instructions, and never leave water sitting in the humidifier when it's turned off.
Things You'll Need
- Rubber bulb syringe
- Chamomile tea
- Saline nasal drops
- Humidifier
- Eucalyptus essential oil
