Home Remedies for Congestion in Infants

Babies rely almost completely on their noses for breathing, which becomes very apparent during feeding when they can spends several minutes sucking away at the bottle. So when a baby develops a nasal congestion, it is a big deal of inconvenience to her. She may have difficulty breathing, and may be too young to blow her nose to get rid of the irritating feeling. In such a situation feeding may be a problem and sleep can be disturbed.

Unfortunately, it is almost impossible for babies to avoid conditions that lead to excess mucous. Since their immune system is still not completely developed, most healthy babies will go through almost a dozen of cases of common cold in the first year itself! A viral infection of the lungs caused by a flu virus can be worse, leading to mucous congestion in the lungs. This may be accompanies by a fever, headache, muscle pains, and fatigue. In some cases, conditions such as allergies, enlarged adenoids, or whooping cough can also show symptoms similar to nasal congestion. Of course, diagnosing a baby is never easy, so it is advisable to visit a doctor if the baby shows a fever of over 100° F with nasal or chest congestion. The global spread of the H1N1 virus (swine flu) is also of some concern when it comes to young children.

Congestion Remedies for Infants

At home, keep a bottle of mild saline handy, after making sure the product is approved for very young children. Warm up the bottle by holding it in your hands for a few minutes before squirting a few drops into the baby’s nostrils. This will help remove any thick mucous. If the baby is too young to blow her own nose, use an infant nasal aspirator, which can be procured from your doctor. Avoid using any decongestant syrups or nasal medication, since many of these contain strong drugs. If required, consult with your doctor before using any such medication. One factor that triggers nasal congestion in young babies is dry air, since their noses are too small to sufficiently moisten the air before it reaches the lungs. Using a vaporizer or humidifier near the infant’s crib at night will help to constantly provide moist air. This also helps to ‘thin out’ the mucous, making it easier to expel. Try elevating the baby’s head by a few inches during sleep. This should help the mucous flow out more easily of the nostrils, making breathing easier.