Nasal congestion occurs when the lining of the nose becomes inflamed, leading to irritation and swelling. The clogged feeling is actually due to the constriction of blood vessels, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). An infant may not be able to communicate her discomfort, but parents can recognize congestion by listening and watching the baby while she breathes. The nose may make snoring type sounds, or the baby may be breathing noisily. Mucus drainage is not necessarily present with congestion. There are many natural ways to treat nasal congestion in an infant.
Moisten the Air
Dry air can worsen nasal congestion. In the winter, indoor heating can suck the moisture out of the air and lead to dryness in your infant's nose. Run a humidifier when your infant is sleeping and even while she's playing if necessary. Depending on your pediatrician's advice, you may want to use a cold mist or a warm mist humidifier. The shower can act as a humidifier when you hold your infant in a closed bathroom while hot water is running.
Nasal Spray
It's possible to moisten the nasal passages by inserting a saline nasal spray that can be bought in an infant-sized applicator. A few quick mists of natural saline drops moisten the nasal passages and can soothe the inflammation. If there are objects causing congestion, the saline solution may flush them out of the nasal passages.
Help Mucus Drainage
When mucus is present with the congestion, you may be able to remove some of the excess with the use of a bulb syringe, used to suction fluids from the nasal passages. Hold your baby upright often. Help the mucus drain by elevating your baby's head. Do this by placing a pillow under the mattress in the crib. Don't put anything inside the crib while your baby sleeps; this can increase the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
