A stuffy nose in a toddler may cause irritability and trouble sleeping. If he still uses a bottle or nurses, he may also have trouble drinking. Most of the time, nasal congestion is not caused by anything serious and will pass on its own. Occasionally, it can indicate a bacterial infection or a foreign object in the nose. Try home remedies to keep your toddler comfortable, and if symptoms become worrisome or persist, call the doctor.
Causes
If your toddler's nasal congestion is accompanied by a dry cough, sneezing, irritability and possibly, a low-grade fever, chances are good that she has the common cold. A cold lasts about one week to 10 days, and should clear up on its own. Another possibility is that your toddler has allergies to a food or environmental allergens, such as pollen or pet dander. Nasal congestion caused by an allergy is called allergic rhinitis and is often accompanied by itchy, watery eyes. If you think that your child has allergies, take her to her pediatrician for confirmation.
Home Remedies
Keeping your child's nasal passages moist can help ease swelling and congestion and may help him sleep. Run a cool mist humidifier in his bedroom to keep the air humid. Another option is to run a hot shower and sit in the bathroom with him, allowing him to inhale the steam. Placing a drop or two of plain saline solution in each nostril can help, as can using a rubber bulb syringe to remove some of the excess mucus. Give him warm liquids to drink, such as warm chicken broth or warm water with honey and lemon. Do not give honey to a child under 12 months old.
Medication
Cold and decongestant medications are not recommended for children under the age of 2, says KidsHealth. They can cause dangerous side effects, such as hallucinations and heart palpitations in very young children, and they might not be effective anyway. If your child has allergies, her pediatrician may recommend antihistamines, either by prescription or over-the-counter. Always follow the directions precisely and give your child only the dosage recommended for her weight.
Considerations
If your toddler's stuffy nose is accompanied by a bloody or foul-smelling discharge or pain in one nostril, or if it is persistent and is not accompanied by any other allergy or cold symptoms, consider whether he may have stuck an object up his nose. His doctor may be able to remove the object, or he may need to see an ear, nose and throat specialist. Other reasons to call the doctor include a thick, green discharge, which may indicate a bacterial infection; a high fever; or nasal congestion that lasts longer than 10 days.
