“Ten little fingers, ten little toes, two little eyes and one little nose. One little stuffy nose and crying the baby goes.”
Your newborn can be very cranky when they have a stuffy nose. Their narrow nasal passage could get blocked and lead to difficulty in breathing. Clearing the nasal passage would help them breathe well, reduce chances of infection and let them get restful sleep.
If your baby snorts, has noisy breathing, finds it difficult to feed, or is very irritable, it could be because of a stuffy nose.
Blocked noses can be caused by cold, flu, mild infection, mucus build-up, or change in the weather. Sometimes, excess mucus could dry and block the nasal passage. You may want to check if something is stuck up their nose or it is a genuine nasal congestion.
The easiest stuffy nose remedy for babies is to clear the nasal cavity by making the child sneeze to expel the mucus. This is possible when the child is older. In case of infants, you will have to help them clear the blockage using a nose cleaner for babies.
The safest option to clean the nose for infants and toddlers is using a saline nasal spray. It will help thin the mucus, relieve the congestion and clear the nose.
You can also make the saline water for baby’s nose at home.
You can use a bulb syringe for babies to clean their nose. It is made especially for their tiny nostrils.
Nasal aspirators are more efficient, less invasive, and easier to use in comparison to a bulb syringe. It comprises a nozzle, a piece of lengthy and soft tube, and a mouthpiece for suction. You can also check out battery-operated or electronic nasal aspirator for babies available online or in speciality stores.
How to use a nasal aspirator to clean baby’s nose:
While these products are safe to safe to use as snot remover for babies, you will have to take a few precautions.
You should clean your baby’s nose on a regular basis while bathing by gently cleaning the area around the nose with a cotton ball or a soft towel soaked in warm water. Do not insert anything in the nostrils to avoid possible damage to the nose lining.
ELEVATE THE MATTRESS – Raising the head slightly can ease the stuffy nose and help in breathing. Alternately, place a rolled up towel below the baby’s head. This will offer relief to the baby at nap time. Make sure they get plenty of rest to help recovery.
STEAM CLEAN – Moisture and warmth can help ease the congestion. You can run a hot shower and let the steam build up in the bathroom. Sit with the baby in the steam for a while. This will help in thinning and loosening of mucus and clear the congestion. Increasing fluid intake can also help.
VAPORISER/AIR HUMIDIFIER – Dry air could be the cause of dry nose. If you stay in a place which tends to have dry weather, invest in a humidifier. Moisture in the air can offer relief from congestion. This can be especially helpful in winters.
In most cases, the nasal passage can be cleared within a week or two at home by using the above methods. Consult your paediatrician if:
NASOPHARYNGEAL SUCTIONING (NP) – This is done by a medical professional, a respiratory therapist or a doctor in case of:
In this procedure, saline water is used to moisten and loosen the dried mucus. A thin suction tube connected to a suction device is inserted gently into the baby’s nostrils till it touches the back of the throat. This induces coughing and brings the mucus to the back of the throat. Suction is carried out to clear the mucus, and once the passage clears, the tube is pulled out gently from the baby’s nostril. The procedure is repeated as required. Frequent suctioning may lead to mild bleeding in the nose or swelling inside the nose. In such cases, a neo sucker or smaller suction tube may be used.
Conclusion: Use of simple home remedies should be effective in most cases to help ease your baby of a stuffy nose. If it doesn’t improve, consider using a nasal spray or an aspirator. In case of persistent snot, consult your paediatrician at the earliest.