As any parent knows, there are few things scarier than your baby’s blocked nose. Breathing is one of the most important things that our bodies do on a day-to-day basis,
and when babies can’t breathe it means they’re not taking in enough oxygen to be healthy. But don’t worry! There are some easy ways to clear your little one’s congested airways for good!
one of the worst things about winter is when your little one catches a cold. In their first few months, babies primarily breathe through their nose so when it’s blocked, it can cause discomfort and distress, making feeding and sleeping a nightmare for the whole family.
So what can you do? Here are seven simple tips so everyone can breathe easy once more.
1. Keep your baby’s fluids up
Not only will extra milk feeds or water help babies get better and manage dehydration (especially if they’re not feeding properly), it also ensures bub’s mouth and nose stay moist.
2. Use a saline spray or drops
Loosen and thin your bub’s mucus from a blocked nose by using a saline (salt water) solution. FESS® Little Noses is a natural way to help relieve blocked noses and comes in both a spray and drops. Both are easy to use and non-medicated, so you can use them from birth on little noses.
Not only will FESS help clear a blocked nose to help them breathe easier naturally, but they also moisturize dry nasal passages. If symptoms persist, however, see a doctor.
3. Keep baby upright
Lying flat can worsen a stuffy nose and create more coughing too, so where possible try and elevate your baby at sleep time.
This could include subtly tilting the crib mattress (with a folded towel or similar underneath) so it’s on an angle, or for daytime naps, letting them sleep in a baby carrier or bouncer. Whatever works to keep them upright, just as long as it’s safe.
4. Use a nasal aspirator
Babies can’t blow their noses but a nasal aspirator (a.k.a. a rubber bulb syringe) will do a similar job. After loosening the mucus with saline solution, use an aspirator to gently suck it out and clear the blockage.
This also helps avoid using tissues that can be harsh on a baby’s sensitive skin. For convenience, the FESS® Little Noses products all come with an aspirator which can also be easily washed and reused.
5. Try a humidifier or vapouriser
Add some cool moisture to the nursery air with a humidifier to help prevent their nose from drying out. Just be sure to wash it regularly to prevent bacteria and mold build-up.
Another cheaper option is a vaporizers which is based on the same principle but uses steam from heated water instead to add moisture. Inhalants such as plant extracts or medicinal vapors can be added to a vaporizer as well.
6. Have a steam shower or vapour bath
As mentioned above, steam is a great way to help clear congestion and there’s plenty of ways to use this to your advantage. You can have a shower together or if bub’s not into it, just leave the shower on, sit beside it with them and turn your bathroom into a steam room for ten minutes.
Alternatively, run a bath for your baby with vapour solution and let them inhale the vapours from the steam as you wash them.
7. Use a vapour rub
Also known as a chest rub, grab a tub from the chemist and rub gently onto your baby’s chest after a bath or before bedtime. Check the label though, as not all are suitable for very young babies.
Conclusion:
Breathe easy, bub! There are some easy ways to clear your little one’s congested airways for good!
One of the worst things about winter is when your little one catches a cold. Breathe easy and remember these seven steps so everyone can breathe easier once more: Keep baby’s fluids up; use saline spray or drops; keep baby upright; use nasal aspirator; try a humidifier or vaporizer in their room overnight,
have a steam shower/bath with vapor rubs. These natural remedies will help unblock babies’ noses and avoid inhalant medications that could be harsh on sensitive skin. Breathe easy, bub!
