How To Relieve A Congested Baby

It’s about to be that time again—cold & flu season. With a baby in tow, you are doing all the right things such as washing your hand, bundling them up and sanitizing everything.  However, somehow you baby has become sick. Here are some products and tips on how to relieve your congested baby.

If you have not figured it out by now be prepared to be have your baby attached to you. This is a natural. Your child will want you to hold them, sit by them, read to them and even sleep with them. And you will not be the only parent who breaks the rules and let’s your child sleep with you at night (but as soon as they are better you may want to put them back in the room if you don’t want to start that habit). Being with you will bring them emotional comfort.

However at the same time, your baby will feel miserable and want physical relief as well. There are some great products out there that will help with them.

Moisturize

The Crane Cool Mist Humidifier an ideal choice for relieving the discomforts of nasal congestion. Many physicians recommend the use of a humidifier to help relieve congestion from the common cold and flu as an alternative to over-the-counter cough and cold medicine. This humidifier has a contemporary design and whisper-quiet operation that is great for any child’s room and comes it many colors and fun characters. All this for the benefit of a getting your child a decent night’s sleep.

Fluids

Increase your child’s fluids.  Increasing fluids help thin out & loosens your baby’s mucus, which makes it easier to clear out.  If you baby under 6 months, you increase feedings of breastmilk and/or formula.  If your baby is 6 months or older they can have water or Pedialyte that can be offered in between regular feedings.

Suction

Keep your baby’s nose clear as possible. Use saline to loosen the mucus in your baby’s nose. You can buy over the counter saline nose drops or make your own (make fresh saline nasal drops daily by mixing 1/4 tsp. table salt with 1 cup of water.) Use  only a drop or two of the saline with each nostril. Using the doctor recommended Nosefrieda to suction, which is especially great for tiny noses.

Rub

Use of an aromatic rub to naturally soothe and support a good night’s sleep – without menthol or petroleum on the bottom of your little one’s feet and on chest (babies older than 3 months). Great for infants or anyone in the family with sensitive skin and can be used everyday. Bonus — add to your humidifier if it has an aromatherapy compartment.

Elevate

Place a pillow between the crib springs and the mattress, so the mattress is slightly inclined.  The incline helps the mucus to drain better.

Here are the signs you need to contact your doctor:

-signs of troubled breathing

-a fever (100.4 for babies younger than 3 months)

-coughing

-your baby hasn’t had a wet diaper in 6-8 hours

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