How to Relieve Infant Stuffiness and Congestion
There are few sadder sights than a stuffed up baby. A congested baby will have trouble breastfeeding, drinking from a bottle and sleeping. The advice below can help lessen your baby's stuffiness and make her feel better.
1. Nasal saline drops. Saline loosens mucus and makes inflamed nasal passages feel better. There's nothing fancy about saline drops; they're basically made of water and salt. They're sold at almost all drug stores, and you don't need to worry about overusing them. In fact, when one of my babies was super congested, I gave him saline drops every time I changed his diaper. I always keep a few extra bottles on hand, and I encourage you to buy extras to have around the house.
2. Steam! The steam from a hot shower or bath loosens mucus and makes it easier for it to drain. I've always found it difficult, though, to stay too long in a hot and steamy room with a baby who doesn't feel well. To make things easier on yourself, let the bathroom steam up before you go in with baby, and make sure you have a comfy seat. And if you need them, bring a rattle or fidget to keep baby busy.
3. Cold! Cold air can make a congested baby temporarily feel better because when you're exposed to cold, your blood retreats from the outer parts of your body, including your nose, and can make it easier for a baby to breathe. So if your baby is stuffed up and it's cold outside, try taking her out (in warm clothes or blankets!) for a few minutes.
4. Aspirators. Nasal aspirators are a key piece of equipment when you have a baby. The problem is that whenever I've used them on my kids, they have always ended up crying. The Nose Frida is a relatively new alternative to the traditional bulb aspirator, which allows you to €suck€ the mucus out through a device you put in your mouth. It sounds odd, but it works, and I found it less of a hassle to clean than the traditional bulb aspirators.
5. Turn on the humidifier. Dry air makes congestion much worse because your baby isn't breathing in any moisture that can help loosen mucus. Get a cool humidifier and make sure to clean it regularly, letting it air dry completely between washings.
6. Aromatherapy. Eucalyptus oil has a refreshing scent that is thought to ease congestion. A warning, though: don't put eucalyptus oil onto baby's skin - rather, put a few drops onto pajamas, your skin, or into the humidifier.
1. Nasal saline drops. Saline loosens mucus and makes inflamed nasal passages feel better. There's nothing fancy about saline drops; they're basically made of water and salt. They're sold at almost all drug stores, and you don't need to worry about overusing them. In fact, when one of my babies was super congested, I gave him saline drops every time I changed his diaper. I always keep a few extra bottles on hand, and I encourage you to buy extras to have around the house.
2. Steam! The steam from a hot shower or bath loosens mucus and makes it easier for it to drain. I've always found it difficult, though, to stay too long in a hot and steamy room with a baby who doesn't feel well. To make things easier on yourself, let the bathroom steam up before you go in with baby, and make sure you have a comfy seat. And if you need them, bring a rattle or fidget to keep baby busy.
3. Cold! Cold air can make a congested baby temporarily feel better because when you're exposed to cold, your blood retreats from the outer parts of your body, including your nose, and can make it easier for a baby to breathe. So if your baby is stuffed up and it's cold outside, try taking her out (in warm clothes or blankets!) for a few minutes.
4. Aspirators. Nasal aspirators are a key piece of equipment when you have a baby. The problem is that whenever I've used them on my kids, they have always ended up crying. The Nose Frida is a relatively new alternative to the traditional bulb aspirator, which allows you to €suck€ the mucus out through a device you put in your mouth. It sounds odd, but it works, and I found it less of a hassle to clean than the traditional bulb aspirators.
5. Turn on the humidifier. Dry air makes congestion much worse because your baby isn't breathing in any moisture that can help loosen mucus. Get a cool humidifier and make sure to clean it regularly, letting it air dry completely between washings.
6. Aromatherapy. Eucalyptus oil has a refreshing scent that is thought to ease congestion. A warning, though: don't put eucalyptus oil onto baby's skin - rather, put a few drops onto pajamas, your skin, or into the humidifier.
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