Congestion in a newborn baby is quite common and may last up to several weeks. At such a young age, it is preferable to treat him with non-pharmacological methods. There are some convenient home remedies and alternatives to managing newborn congestion at home. If congestion begins to interfere with breast feeding or sleeping, you should contact your physician for further instruction.
Saline Nasal Wash
Using a saline nasal wash and a bulb syringe can be very effective in alleviating congestion in your newborn. Lay the infant down with a pillow or towel to prop up her head. Put two or three saline nose drops into each nostril and wait 30 to 60 seconds, says Medline. You may wait for the mucous to drain on its own, or use a bulb syringe to help remove excess mucous from the nose. Make sure that you compress the bulb prior to inserting the tip into the baby's nose, and then gently release it to provide light suction. Clean the bulb syringe and repeat if necessary.
Humidified Air
The use of a humidifier may be helpful in relieving newborn congestion. Be sure that you follow the unit's directions, and use filtered water if available. Some humidifiers require periodically changing the unit's filter. A dirty filter may do more harm than good by releasing dirty air. Humidified air helps by breaking up nasal congestion and loosening thick secretions. According to Baby Center, adding a few drops of menthol, eucalyptus or pine oil to a vaporizer or bath may help your baby feel less congested. Bringing your newborn into the bathroom with a warm running shower may also be helpful for quick relief of congestion.
Positioning
A simple way to help relieve nasal congestion in your newborn is to keep the head of his bassinet or crib elevated. This works by using gravity to bring congestion out of the nasal passages. Place a rolled up towel or pillow underneath the crib mattress to raise the bed to promote nasal drainage and make breathing easier.
