Nasal congestion develops as a result of colds or allergies, and, in children too young to blow their nose, can cause discomfort and difficulty breathing. In some cases, the congestion is so severe, the baby resorts to breathing through his mouth, particularly while sleeping. There are a number of home remedies you can use to keep your infant comfortable. Visit your health care provider if your infant is under 3 months and develops a fever over 100.2 F or is 3 to 6 months and develops a fever over 101 F.
Step 1
Nurse your baby or feed him formula as usual. Fluids help thin secretions. Infants get sufficient amounts of liquid from nursing and formula and don't require additional fluids.
Step 2
Set up a cool mist vaporizer in your baby's room. Adding moisture to the air helps loosen congestion.
Step 3
Take your infant into the bathroom while a warm shower is running. The warm, steamy air also thins congestion and helps your baby breath easier.
Step 4
Use a bulb syringe to remove excess mucus. Press the bulb to squeeze the air out of the syringe, insert the tip into your child's nose and release the bulb. The suction pulls loose secretions from the nose.
Step 5
Lay your child on her back and drop 2 to 3 drops of homemade saline nasal drops into each nostril. Position a rolled up towel under her shoulders before you begin so her head is tilted slightly back. Let the drops set for 30 to 60 seconds, then roll her onto her stomach and wipe the discharge from her nose. To make homemade saline nasal drops, add 1/4 tsp. salt to 1/2 cup lukewarm water. Make this mixture fresh each day to avoid contamination.
Step 6
Elevate the head of your baby's bed by placing a few books under the legs of the crib or a towel under the mattress. Sleeping with the head slightly elevated helps congestion drain from the nose.
Things You'll Need
- Cool mist vaporizer
- Bulb syringe
- Salt for saline solution
- Books or towels for elevating bed
