A baby with a cold usually means two things – miserable days and no sleep at night. A stuffy nose can impact feeding as well as sleeping.
Every parents favorite thing, right?
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Luckily there are a few things you can do to help clear that little stuffy, blocked nose and help them breathe easily.
1. Protect that skin
Put some natural barrier cream on his upper lip to protect the skin from the constant wiping and use extra-soft T-shirts or super soft tissues to prevent irritating the skin.
2. Keep hydrated
Offer breastmilk/formula/water more frequently throughout the day. A well-hydrated infant will keep the boogs moist and easier to remove.
3. Use a vapor rub
Find a good quality all natural chest rub and rub it on babies chest and soles of his feet before sleep time.
4. Use gravity
Place a pillow between the crib springs and the mattress, so the mattress is slightly raised. The incline helps the mucus to drain better out of the back of the nose and down the throat.
5. Steam
Standing in a nice steamy room before bed helps clear the airways and loosens any mucous in the nose and lungs, making it easier for baby to clear.
For an optimum steamy room start with a cold bathroom and run your shower on HOT – don’t get in it or put baby in it though!!
6. Add humidity
Add a humidifier to your infant’s room. Extra moisture is essential in keeping the snot from crystallizing and blocking up the nose, just be sure to open the windows and doors during the day to let the damp out again – you don’t want the room getting mouldy!
7. Keep upright
During the day wear your baby in a sling in an upright or angled position. Not only will he be soothed by your close presence, the angle will help with drainage.
8. Probiotics
Give your baby some infant probiotics to strengthen his immune system.
9. Essential Oils
Put a few drops of eucalyptus or rosemary oil on a tissue and place near the bed (not in it) they are both natural decongestants.
10. Suck the snot out!
You can either do it the old fashioned way (with your own mouth, not for the faint hearted) or you can try a snot sucker like the bulb ones or the more sophisticated Nosefrida. These are an absolute God send!
11. Saltwater
If your baby is under six months old, try putting a few drops of saline into each nostril. You can then use a bulb syringe to remove mucus. This simple home remedy works by thinning the mucus which can help your baby feel more comfortable. It’s suitable for babies of all ages, however older babies may get fussy when using the bulb.
Do you have any tips or tricks to help clear your little ones snots or stuffy nose?
