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.

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

1. 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.

The post 11 Home Remedies for Nasal Congestion in newborns appeared first on YourHealthyMom.

Cold and cough are very common and there is no particular reason for this. Cough can be because of any reason like weather change, dust, allergies, sinus infection, common cold, viral, asthma or respiratory tract infection. Many of them are not in our hand that’s why it’s very difficult to prevent them but its easy to manage with some home remedies specially for a long lasting and frequent cough in infants or kids.

Home remedies for cough and cold for infants

Cough can last from anywhere between few days to 2 to 3 weeks. But most of the medicines are not safe for kids below 6 years and can cause severe side effects. Here are some of the home remedies which can give some comfort to your infant or kid from constant coughing. Most of them you will find in your kitchen and are very easy to give.

Here are some of the home remedies for cough which you can try for your infant or child.

1.     Breastmilk

There is no best food for newborn than breast milk. It also works as a natural home remedy for cough in infants. It works as a medicine for babies under 6 month and frequent feeding will give them comfort also.

2.     Saline spray

Nasal saline spray is a great remedy for congested or blocked nose. Your doctor can prescribe you the best nasal drop for your baby or in case of emergency you can make your own saline drops. But try to avoid homemade nasal drop because they can prone to bacteria.

To make home-made saline drop, simply mix ½ tsp of salt with 8-9 tsp of warm water and put them in a sterilized bottle.

13 home remedies for irregular periods and fertility

3.     Home-made Vicks

Vicks vapor is not so safe for small babies, but you can make you own home-made Vicks also and rub in on their chest and feet while sleeping. This can work as a great home remedy for cough in infants.

Ingredients for home-made Vicks

• 7-8 tbsp. Ghee(Cow Ghee)
• 6 pieces Kapura (Camphor)
• Now heat the pan and add ghee. Heat Ghee on low flame and then add Camphor. Mix them well on low flame. Let it cool down and cover it till then. Put it in a covered bowl and store it for 3 months.

4.      Suction

Suction is one thing that I have been doing with my son since when he was a year old. It’s a great remedy to do when your baby is having cold and runny nose. Suction helps to take out excess mucus which make them uncomfortable and keep them relax. At first it can be difficult to do but slowly you both will get used to it.

For suction there is a very small bulb syringe is available which can squeeze out the excess mucus. You just need to press it and then gently put it into 1 nostril of your baby and slowly release the pressure. This will help to suck the mucus out. Always clean it before using it again. 

5.     Mustard oil

Mustard oil is very good while having cough and you can use it in several ways. Here are few ways in which you can use it to ease out cough.

• Heat the oil in the pan on low flame. Add some chopped garlic, 1 tbsp of Fenugreek seeds, 1tbsp carom seeds. Wait for the garlic to be golden brown and switch off the flame. Let it cool down and strain it with the help of strainer. You can keep this oil for 1 month in air tight jar. Apply this oil at night on chest, back and foot to keep them warm. This will help to loosen the mucus and it will come out from the poop.
• You can simply add garlic with mustard oil and massage your baby with this also. This will also work as a great home remedy for cough in infants.
• You can use mustard oil with kalonji seeds and garlic clove also. A warm massage with this infused oil will give added benefits in winter.

6.     Honey

Honey works better then a cough syrup sometimes but it’s not suitable for babies less than 12 months. It can be given plan or in combination with black peeper powder, turmeric or garlic juice. Honey is an excellent home remedy for cough in infants and toddlers.

7.     Herbal tea

You can make your own herbal to sooth sore throat and reduce cough. Simply add Ginger, Jaggery, Tulsi leaves, Cinnamon stick or powder, and Honey. Boil them all together with a glass of water. Let it cool down little bit and give it to your baby. This will be great home remedy to sooth your infant cough and sore throat. This is not suitable for babies under 6 month.

Read here to know about 14 post vaccination tips for babies for babies to reduce pain

8.     Vitamin c rich food

Vitamin c is considered as an immunity booster. Try to give more vitamin c rich foods like orange juice, amla (Indian gooseberry), lemon water, and broccoli.  This will help them to build their immunity to fight against viruses and bacteria.

9.     Ginger

Ginger in an excellent home remedy in Ayurveda to treat cough and cold in infants. It is a natural antiviral and helps to fight against viruses naturally. Babies older them 12 month can safely have ginger. Ginger can be given in many ways like in food, as a ginger tea, or with honey also. 

10.     Cow ghee

No one can deny the benefits of cow ghee and according to ayurveda it works great in treating many diseases. Cow ghee is a very simple and effective home remedy for cough and cold in infants. This remedy is suitable for 6 month older baby. You can use cow ghee in 2 ways but make sure ghee is pure.

You can use cow ghee and nasal drops when your baby is having blocked nose. The other way to use cow ghee is, heat the ghee in pan, add some ginger and black pepper. Wait till the ginger is golden brown. Now strain it and give 1 tsp to your baby every few hours throughout the day and see the magic.

11.     Steam

Steam is a great way to clear the blocked nose. Give steam to your baby 2 to 3 times a day, especially before bed. Simply add some water in a steamer and let your child inhale the steam. Direct steam is only suitable for 3 year or older kids. For younger kids steam can be given from far or you can use hot shower in the bathroom and steam it up. Then sit with your infant for 10 to 20 minutes in the warm bathroom will be good enough for them.

12.     Humidifier

Humidifier adds the moisture to the air which helps child to keep the nasal airways moisturized and loosen mucus. There are 2 type of humidifier one is cold air and other is warm air. Cold air humidifier is safer for kids and as effective as warm air humidifier.

You can run a humidifier in the room where child spends most of his time during the day and night time. It will definitely help them in some way.

13.     Keep head Elevated

This method works for child who is more than a year old.  A baby under 12 month should not sleep with a pillow. You can use 1 pillow for your toddler to keep his head little elevated so then he can breathe with congested nose. You can try other ways like you can elevate the crib, mattress or bed from one side to keep his head elevated if it is difficult to put them on pillow for a full night. 

14.     Breastmilk drops in nose

We all know the benefits of breastmilk for infants but very few people know the benefits of breastmilk in nose. It can work as a great home remedy for cough and cold in infants, especially when they have nose congestion. It work as great as saline drops and helps to soften the mucus. Gently put 1 drop of breastmilk in each nostril of baby for few times in day. Breastmilk has antiviral property which will help them in cold.

15.     Massage

Massage is a great way to release chest congestion and give comfort to your baby. You can try warm mustard oil massage or warm coconut oil massage. You can also infuse oil with onion, garlic or ajwain and use them to massage your baby’s chest, back, feet and palm.

16.     Tulsi

Tulsi has many benefits in Indian Ayurveda and Indian culture. It has been used in many diseases since many years. This can work as a great home remedy for cough in infant also. Simply boil some water with Tulsi leaves and give that boiled water few times a day to your baby. You can also add some ginger in it to make it more effective. This remedy work best for infant older than 7 to 8 months. 

17.     Lots of rest and comfort

When your baby is suffering from cold and cough give them lots of rest and comfort. Allow then to sleep for extra hours and involve them in light activities. Give lots of comfort and stay with them as much as possible, a mother’s touch comfort babies and help them to get better soon.

18.     Eucalyptus oil

Eucalyptus oil has great benefits in cold and cough. It is also used in Vicks vapor up to help with chest congestion and stuffy nose. You can simply put few drops of eucalyptus oil on the curtain of the room where child sleeps or on the child’s bedding also. Another way is to put few drops in humidifier or steamer to stem it out.

19.     Ajwain and Garlic

You can make a home-made inhaler for your baby to help him to release chest congestion and cold. Dry roast 2-3 cloves of garlic and 1 tbsp. of ajwain and when they are warm enough, put them in a muslin cloth and make a potli. Keep this potli near to your baby while sleeping and let then inhale it. You can put this potli on baby chest also so that he can breathe it throughout the night. This is an amazing home-remedy for cough in infant during this winter and it will give you an added benefits.

20.      Keep them hydrated

Keep them hydrated all the time. Give your baby warm water or breastmilk every few hours and help them to keep hydrated. Dehydration will only make the situation worse.

21.     Turmeric

Turmeric has many properties and a great spice in Indian kitchen. It has great healing properties. It can be used in many ways to help with cough and cold. You can give your baby turmeric milk or simply apply turmeric paste (mix little bit turmeric with warm water or milk) on baby’s chest and clean it after some time.

The post 21 Amazing home remedies for cough for infants that actually work appeared first on YourHealthyMom.