Nasal congestion from a cold or flu is very common and an inevitable part of childhood.

One of the greatest milestones of babyhood is when little ones learn to blow their noses.

Here are some tips for relieving nasal congestion in all age groups.

Babies only breath through their noses, so nasal congestion can interfere with nursing or bottle-feeding. We recommend that you help clear the baby’s nose approximately 15-20 minutes before feedings. This can be accomplished by using a saline nasal spray and a nasal aspirator.

Sit baby semi-upright or upright (based on the baby’s age) in carrier, car seat or high chair.

Place saline nasal spray just at the nostril opening and spray 1-2 good squirts up the baby’s nose. It should mist into the nostril. We do not recommend laying baby down on her back as the spray will stream into the nostril.

Squeeze the bulb end of the nasal aspirator first and then insert the open end just inside the nostril. Gently release the bulb and suction out the nostril.

Clean aspirator with a tissue between suctioning.

Repeat procedure for 2nd nostril.

Do not aspirate the nose too often. The suctioning can cause the sensitive nasal membranes to bleed or swell making breathing even more difficult.

Children who can blow their noses (from approx. 2 years of age and up) certainly should whenever it runs.

It does not hurt to run a cool mist vaporizer for all age groups to relieve nasal congestion. The moist air helps keep the mucous flowing (hopefully right out of the nose.)

Also, a warm bath or steam from the shower can help relieve nasal congestion. (Turn the shower on and let the bathroom fill with warm mist. Sit with the child on your lap for up to 15 minutes in the misty room. Do NOT get into the shower with your child. Just sit on the counter, floor or toilet seat and let the child breathe in the warm steam.)

Do not give children under 6 months of age, over-the-counter cold remedies without consulting a pediatrician. It is not always necessary to give antihistamines to children with nasal congestion.

Check with your pediatrician if:

Nasal congestion turns bright yellow or dark green in color. This could be a sign of secondary infection.

The child appears to be afflicted with a constant runny nose, especially those children with a history of skin or food allergies may not have a cold. They may be experiencing respiratory allergies.

Nasal congestion leads to an ear infection. The fluid accumulates in the sinuses and drains into the under-developed Eustachian tube (the tube that connects the throat to the ear.) As the fluid sits, it causes an ear infection.

Your child runs a fever or is acting very sick.

So it’s time for you to leave the hospital with your newborn baby. This is your first child, and you may feel a bit anxious about many things. One of these things that new parents may feel apprehensive about is using that ever so popular baby nasal suction. Step 1 With suction in hand, be sure the tip is facing away from you and the ball of the suction is grasped between all five fingers of your hand. This is important as you need to do this for a great squeeze. Step 2 Next, use your thumb to press the very bottom flat part of the suction inward. Do this away from the baby. This pushes the air completely out of the suction first. You do not want to push air up the baby’s nose! Step 3 After pushing the bottom of the suction in, do not release. Hold it steady just like this. With your other hand, very gently hold your baby’s head in place while inserting the tip of the suction into the nostril. Do not shove the suction inside the baby’s nose! Only the tip is necessary. Step 4 Once the tip is in proper position in the baby’s nostril, release the bottom of the suction. The suction will then pull the phlegm from the baby’s nose. Remember, if you need to do this again, DO NOT push air into the baby’s nose. Always push the bottom of the suction inward and hold it there to get the air pushed out prior to nostril insertion.

Nasal congestion is common in an baby under six months of age. Although rarely serious, it can cause problems by interfering with feeding and sleeping. It is common for a newborn to be congested for the first four to six weeks of life. After that, congestion is often caused by irritants, such as dust or smoke. Congestion can also be caused by a cold or allergies. Here are some things that you can do to help relieve your baby’s nasal congestion.

Saline Drops

Saline drops can be used as needed before feeding or sleeping. Just spray a few drops into each nostril. The drops will help flush out irritants and loosen the mucus so that it can be swallowed.

Bulb Syringe

You can use a bulb syringe to suction out the nose, but this is not necessary. In fact, using a bulb syringe too often or too vigorously can cause more irritation and actually increase the congestion.

Elevating the Head

Elevating your baby’s head will help the mucus drain better and offer a better night’s sleep. To elevate your baby’s head, place a pillow under the mattress so that one side is higher than the other. Do not put the pillow directly under your baby’s head, because a pillow in the crib can lead to SIDS and suffocation.

Vaporizer

A cool mist vaporizer or a humidifier can be helpful in treating baby nasal congestion by loosening the mucus. Both of these machines add humidity to dry air. The vaporizer may have a place to put medicine, but this is not necessary.

Warnings

Do not give over-the-counter cough and cold medicines to an baby. In fact, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not recommend them for any child under the age of six. Also, never stick a cotton swab into your baby’s nose to try to clear out the mucus.

Nasal congestion in babies and small children can be a difficult thing to deal with. While it is a common symptom and is not a sign of sickness or disease, it can still be inconvenient and cause the baby discomfort. The good news about nasal congestion is that it is common and can many times be easily cured.

Step 1

Put the baby somewhere with moist air. Baby’s noses are small, so they’re sensitive to dry air. Put the baby in a room with a humidifier or vaporizer.

Step 2

Use a nasal decongestant or nasal drops, but consult a doctor before you do just to confirm how much you should use. Typically a physician recommends a drop or two every few hours to stop nasal congestion in babies.

Step 3

Try chest rubs or medicine for your baby. Make sure to consult a doctor before doing so. Rub a decongestant chest rub jelly or cream on your baby’s chest in the morning and at night before your child goes to sleep. Using a chest rub on your baby at night helps your baby breathe more effectively during the nighttime hours.

Step 4

Keep the baby elevated when lying down. Congestion is worse when you lie down, especially on your back or stomach. Keeping the baby elevated allows the nasal passages to clear more thoroughly.

Step 5

Encourage the child to blow his nose often. This helps to clear the nasal passages and allows excess mucus to come out. When an baby’s nose is running, dab the mucus under the nose with a tissue. Don’t wipe as that can cause irritation.