Oh, parenting, such a glamorous job. When you’re not scraping baby poop out from under your fingernails or trying to work out how obvious the baby sick on your denim jacket is, you’re desperately trying to get the snot out of your baby’s nose. By your baby’s first birthday, you’ll be an expert in all things related to bodily fluid.
It sucks when your baby has a cold. You will probably find that your baby can’t sleep well thanks to that bunged up nose, which means you won’t be sleeping well either. If you’re breastfeeding, you’ll end up with snot-covered nipples. Your baby will have a permanent face caterpillar of snot edging down towards his mouth and will probably be pretty grumpy. Do not fear, however, here are some stuffy nose remedies to help you through the next few days:
- Steam it away
Steam is great for clearing the airways and helping your baby to breathe a little easier. If your baby is suffering from a blocked nose, try spending a little extra time in the bathroom. Run the shower so that the room fills with steam and sit with your baby in the bathroom for a few minutes. This is a great one to try just before bed and will hopefully guarantee you a little extra sleep thanks to those cleared airways.
- Use a sling
Staying upright can reduce the risk of a blocked nose. This can prove tricky for young babies who spend a lot of time lying down. Try using a sling or baby-carrier with your baby to keep her upright throughout the day. Not only will this help with her nose, it will also help you if your baby is clingy when under the weather. You’ll be able to soothe, kiss and hold your baby whilst still having your hands free to do other things.
- Saline nasal drops
Saline nasal drops for babies can be picked up at the pharmacist and may help to clear your baby’s blocked nose. The gentle solution simply thins the mucus and clears the blocked nose. You’ll then be able to use a damp cotton wool ball to gently remove any snot around your baby’s nose.
- Remove the snot
There are all kinds of weird and wonderful products on the baby market. A few of these even claim to be good at getting rid of snot. You could give one of these a try if your baby is struggling to breathe through her nose. Ask in your local pharmacist to see what products they have to offer. One of the most common designs is the bulb syringe. If your baby is struggling to feed properly because of a stuffy nose, it’s worth trying to clear the snot before each feed.
- Raise the mattress
You may have noticed yourself that raising your head at night can help you get a better night’s sleep when you’re suffering from a cold. This works for babies too. Pillows are not advised for babies because of the increased risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Instead, you can use a folded towel under your baby’s mattress to gently raise one end of the mattress. This will allow your baby to breathe easier at night. Only raise the mattress slightly, to avoid your baby sliding to the bottom or sides of the cot.
What tricks and tips do you use when your baby is suffering from a stuffy nose?
Written by Fiona (@Fiona_Peacock), mother, writer and lover of all things baby related.
This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.