Things You'll Need:
- bulb syringe
- tender loving care!
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Step 1
It's necessary to get rid of all the mucus in your child's nose. Besides clogging your child's nose and running out everywhere, this mucus also causes a post nasal-drip. That mucus runs down the back of your child's nose and throat, causing more irritation, and can go into the lungs. That can then cause an infection in the lungs.
To get rid of the mucus in the nose, encourage your child to blow his or her nose. If they cannot, or are too young, use a bulb syringe. A bulb syringe is that blue, rubber thing that they use in the hospitals to suck out the mucus from the nose of newborns and infants. It's kind of shaped like a raindrop. You just push down on the back of it, place it in the nose, then let go of the back of it. The suction causes the mucus to come out easily. My kids actually come up to me asking for me to do this!
Another option is to use a Neti Pot, or another kind of saline rinse. It's a saline rinse that you rinse through the sinuses. It clears the mucus and irritants out VERY WELL, as well as dries the sinuses out. I use this over using allergy medication. I don't remember the age limit off-hand, so read the instructions prior to using.
I've also seen a little spray that kind of looks like a miniature bottle of mousse that's a saline rinse? I haven't personally used it, but I heard it works fabulous. -
Step 2
There's something we use in the hospitals called Chest physiotherapy, or simply, chest PT. This loosens up secretions that are stuck in the lungs. Children have a much harder time coughing up these secretions than adults.
Place your child either lying down, or sitting up. Now, cup your hand as if you're scooping up water in your hand. With your palm facing your child's back, pat his/her back firmly, as if you were patting him/her for a good job. This shouldn't hurt or bother the child. Afterwards, encourage the child to cough. The child should be able to cough up more secretions. You can do this 4-6 times a day, as needed. -
Step 3
Warm liquids help to thin secretions in the nose, and lungs.
Warm tea is great. Personally, I use decaffinated tea. Nothing worse than a child who's sick, that goes on a caffeine or sugar rush.....
After brewing the tea (I love decaffinated Lipton), I add some milk and sugar to make it taste better for the kids. If it's too warm, I'll add an ice cube to get it a bit more than lukewarm.
Air humidifiers are also good. Breathing in the warm, humid air helps kids breathe better, and helps to thin out mucus and secretions. -
Step 4
Lastly, as with everything, encourage your child to drink LOTS of water! The more water, the thinner the mucus the secretion, the easier it gets out of them!!
Good luck!
