Newborn nasal congestion is usually nothing to worry about and is easily managed at home with some simple home remedies. You may be worried about it and unsure of what to do and whether to be concerned if your newborn has a stuffy nose. Nasal congestion in babies is relatively common, especially when they are young.
Newborns have short, narrow nasal passageways. Your baby may sneeze frequently as a result. These sneezes are their body’s natural way of cleansing the nose of irritants, not necessarily a sign that they have a cold.
Table of Contents
Causes Of Newborn Congestion
There is nothing to worry about as long as your newborn’s congestion is not accompanied by other symptoms and interfering with their ability to breathe or eat. It’s common for them to have congestion. They frequently have some amniotic fluid in their noses, which can cause congestion for a few days after birth.
Your infant may sneeze to get saliva, breast milk, or formula out of their nose if they get any of these things in their nose. Other factors contributing to congestion include airborne irritants like dust, pet dander, hairspray, perfume, and cigarette smoke.
Other reasons for nasal congestion include dry air, colds, viruses, and allergies. Babies may experience congestion for various reasons, so it’s not a sign of worry if they frequently have a stuffy nose.
How To Tell If Your baby Is Congested
Babies cannot communicate about their congestion to you, but you may notice that they are breathing more noisily than usual or are having more difficulty consuming liquids.
Another indication of congestion is mucus pouring from their nose. If they are congested, your baby can have an upper or lower respiratory tract infection. Additional respiratory infection symptoms include the following:
- Initial clean nasal discharge that thickens and turns yellow or green.
- Breastfeeding or bottle-feeding become difficult.
- An active or wet cough.
- Sneezing.
- Sleeping problems.
Congestion is difficult for babies and newborn under 3 or 4 months old and can be uncomfortable. Because a baby can’t blow their nose, the mucus in the nasal tube cannot be removed without an adult’s assistance.
Tiny infants can’t breathe efficiently via their mouth, so this can prevent them from sleeping and waking up. It might also make feeding more challenging because the baby has to stop sucking to breathe occasionally.
Home Remedies for nasal congestion for newborn
In most of the cases congestion in babies can easily be managed by simple home remedies and care by a caregiver. Below are few effective remedies which I have mentioned can be used to provide comfort to baby.
1. Breast Feeding
Breast Feeding is the best medicine for any illness of your newborn. It helps in nasal congestion as well. This keeps them hydrated as well, and staying hydrated is a very important aspect of fighting with an infection. You can seek immediate medical attention if your baby is not wetting enough diapers, looking sick or not eating well.
13 Benefits of breastfeeding for babies: Why it is important
2. Use an onion
Although seeing a newly cut raw onion can be unsettling, it has been proven to aid children with cold-related nasal congestion. Just chop up an onion and set it on a plate next to the baby’s cot; that’s all you have to do.
The sulfur in onions draws out bodily fluids and mucus. Except for the Odor in the room, it has no adverse side effects if your kid has a stuffy nose.
3. Nasal suction
It is normal for a baby’s nose to get congested (stuffed up) from time to time. When this happens, you can use nasal saline to thin their mucus and then suction it out with a bulb syringe. Suctioning mucus out of the nose makes it easier for them to breathe, suck, and eat.
4. Use Eucalyptus Oil
Instead of applying this directly to your infant, place a few drops on a washcloth next to them while they sleep to help with breathing. This will use natural substances to de-congest your baby’s stuffy nose greatly.
Best Oil for baby massage and benefits of each oil
5. Humidifier and Steam
Keep a humidifier running in your infant’s room while they sleep to help in thinning mucus.
A cool mist is the safest since the machine has no heated parts. Run a hot shower often daily and spend a few minutes in the steamy bathroom if you don’t have a humidifier.
6. Nasal saline Drops.
Add a drop or two to each nostril, like breast milk. Nasal saline is a product you can buy or prepare at home as well. Saline nasal drops will minimize inflammation brought on by mucus production and thin the mucus in a baby’s nose. It is okay to apply these nasal drops twice daily.
7. Breast Milk in the Nose
There isn’t anything more straightforward or more natural than this. A few drops in the nostril can aid in clearing up congestion. Give the baby time on his stomach and let him sniff it; it will drain out when he lifts his head.
21 Amazing home remedies for cough for infants that actually work
8. Natural Chest Rubs.
To treat your infant with a stuffy nose, make a natural chest rub at home with a thick lotion and essential oils like lavender, chamomile, and eucalyptus. Homemade chest rubs are very effective. To put your baby to sleep, gently dab a little bit of it on their chest.
9. Oil Massage
Rub the cheeks, hairline, bottom of the head, nasal bridge, and hairline gently with oil as massage with oil reduces fever.
When your youngster is at peace, the fever will go away. Mix mustard or coconut oil and warm it a bit. From head to toe, give your baby a gentle massage. If your infant is cranky and congested, this may help.
10. Give them a Long, Warm Bath.
Steam up the bathroom and put your kid in the tub. The nasal passageways of your youngster can be hydrated with steam. It enters the nose and thins the mucus there. A child’s body will be better prepared for sleep if they take a warm bath before bed.
11. Keep their Heads Elevated.
Another method for treating newborn’s stuffy noses is to carefully tilt your baby’s head at an angle, which allows any mucus buildup to drain from the nostrils naturally.
Why natural home Remedies is best for newborn with nasal congestion?
The F DA’s directive that children under the age of four should not be given over-the-counter cough and cold drugs.
These products don’t accomplish much for young kids, and when combined with other medications, they increase the risk of overdosing and have potentially harmful side effects.
Safety Precautions while using Home Remedies for nasal congestion in newborn.
Signs of Colic in Newborn! FAQs & Home Remedies to deal with it
Regardless matter how congested your baby’s nose is, there are several things you should avoid when it comes to treating nasal congestion in newborn. Avoid the following.
1. Cough and Cold Medicines.
Children under the age of four should not take cough and cold medications. Children between the ages of 4 and 6 should only be given cough and cold drugs on the advice of their pediatrician.
2. Menthol Rubs.
Rubs (like Vicks Vapor) should not be used on children under two. These products can irritate newborns and young children and result in hazardous airway constriction.
3. Frequent usage of Wedges Under the Crib Mattress.
You should place your baby in a bassinet or cot that is flat and hard so that they can sleep on their back. Using wedges or other supports frequently is not advised because doing so could raise your baby’s risk of developing sudden infant death syndrome
When To Call the Doctor About Baby Congestion.
Most newborn congestion instances are easy to manage and will disappear in a few days. If the congestion is severe or lasts for a long time, they may want to speak with the baby’s doctor, especially if they are worried about the baby’s capacity to breathe.
When a newborn show any of the following indicators of respiratory issues, contact their doctor or immediately take them to the emergency department.
- Babies naturally breathe quicker than older kids, typically at 40 breaths per minute or 20–40 breaths while sleeping. An excessively rapid breathing rate of more than 60 breaths per minute interferes with feeding or sleep.
- Rapid or hard breathing makes feeding difficult.
- Flared nostrils are an indication that the infant is having trouble breathing.
- Retractions, which happen when a newborn breathes in through their ribs.
- A moan or a grunt follows each breath.
- Skin with a blue hue, especially around the lips or nose.
Call a pediatrician if the baby has a fever, starts to vomit, or does not wet their diapers.
How Does the Diagnosis Happen?
Your baby’s temperature will be taken, and a pediatrician will watch her breathing patterns. An X-ray may be advised to provide more information on her health status.
Every Indian household uses natural cures for colds, coughs, and blocked noses. However, it’s essential to realize that some cases of nasal congestion cannot be treated at home. A pediatrician trip must be made immediately if the symptoms don’t disappear.
How and when to start baby on solids. Sample schedule to follow.
Conclusion
Congestion will occasionally affect your infant because it’s a typical cold symptom. Simple home remedies and treatments help your baby feel better until the cold passes, relieving chest, or nasal congestion. Try using saline spray to blow your baby’s nose and a cool-mist humidifier in their room.
Your baby may struggle to eat or sleep if there is congestion. Before feeding and going to bed, ensure your child’s nasal passages are cleansed using a saline spray or drops, and then suction out the mucus with a bulb syringe.
If, in addition to congestion, your baby has other symptoms like a high fever, a persistent cough, sleepiness, or refusing to feed, contact their healthcare provider for advice and treatment.
FAQs about nasal congestion in babies
- How do you treat nasal congestion in newborns?
You can use a saline nasal spray or drops to help clear the nasal passages and a bulb syringe or nasal aspirator to remove any mucus to treat nasal congestion in babies gently.
2. Is it normal for newborns to be congested?
Yes, due to their tiny nasal passageways and the presence of excess amniotic fluid, newborns frequently experience nasal congestion.
3. How long does newborn nasal congestion last?
Newborns generally experience nasal congestion for a few days to a few weeks while their nasal passageways adjust and clear.
4. When should I worry about my newborn’s stuffy nose?
If your infant struggles to breathe, displays restlessness, refuses to eat, or has a high fever, you should be concerned about their stuffy nose. Getting a pediatrician involved in such situations for medical care is crucial.
5. Does breast milk help with a stuffy nose?
Yes, breast milk can benefit a baby with a stuffy nose because it contains nutrients and antibodies that, when given in small amounts directly into the nose, can help strengthen the baby’s immune system and relieve congestion.
6. What position should a congested baby sleep in?
A baby with congestion may benefit from sleeping in a slightly elevated position, which can be achieved by using a crib wedge or tucking a towel into the head of the mattress. This encourages improved ventilation and nasal discharge.
