How to Help a Baby With a Stuffy Nose And Congestion
When your baby has a stuffy nose and congestion, it can break your heart watching them struggle. Sinus congestion in a baby can also be a breeding ground for bacteria and secondary infections, including ear infections. Helping a baby with a stuffy nose and congestion won't just make them feel better, but will also help them get better faster. Here's how you can help a baby with a stuffy nose and congestion.
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Things You'll Need
- Vick's Baby Rub or other mentholated ointment
- Steamy shower
- Nasal aspirator
- Humidifier with mentholated additive
- Chair
Instructions
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Run the water in your shower as hot as possible, close the door, and let the steam accumulate in your bathroom for several minutes. While the steam is building up in your shower, dress your congested baby lightly so your baby does not overheat.
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Place a dab of Vick's Baby Rub on your congested baby's chest, and another dab on your chest or neck where you will be holding your congested baby. Rub this in and make sure skin is exposed to let the vapors out. Place chair near shower, or sit on the toilet if necessary, and sit holding baby in the steamy bathroom. You may want to let the shower continue to run for this step to help even more. Stay with your stuffy baby and comfort her, patting her back to help loosen up any chest congestion, allowing the steam to help break up congestion.
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After fifteen to twenty minutes of the steam, use nasal aspirator to help remove mucus from your baby's nose. There are battery operated aspirators available that do a wonderful job, but a bulb syringe (known as the boogie sucker outter in my home) will do just fine. Fair warning, babies generally do not like this part of the process, and won't be shy about letting you know. Gently reassure your stuffy baby that everything will be okay and remind yourself you need to do this for the benefit of your baby.
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At nap times and bed time, run a humidifier in your stuffy baby's room with the door closed. There are additives for most humidifiers for mentholated products which can also help fight congestion. Check with the manufacturer of your humidifier to make sure your model can handle this. If you do not have a humidifier, repeat the shower steam process several times throughout the day and night.
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Tips & Warnings
If you are a breastfeeding mom, you can apply the Vick's Baby Rub to your breast above the nipple to help your stuffy baby. Make sure to avoid the nipple.
If your baby's congestion is not getting any better, or she seems to be gagging on it, consult with your child's pediatrician.
If your baby has signs of an ear infection, seek medical treatment.
- Photo Credit Mercedes McArver
