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9 Tips For Clearing Your Baby's Stuffy Nose — No Snot Sucking Required
There's no telling when a cold or stuffy nose will hit your baby. You may think the ailments only strike in the winter, but congestion can come at any time Even in the middle of a warm summer week. Luckily, there are some pretty great hacks to clear a baby's stuffy nose that you can utilize year round.
Parents are always the best judge of their own babies and, depending on the severity of a stuffy nose, you may not need to head into your pediatrician's office. If a stuffy nose is caused by an irritant or dry air, there are some fairly straightforward fixes to help prevent or stop the stuffiness. Additionally, even with a cold, there are often a few tricks to help relieve congestion, especially in conjunction with an approved cold medicine.
Unless you think the congestion is severe or it isn't going away, you may be able to do a few things at home to get rid of stuffiness, thus avoiding the doctor's office altogether. So if you notice your child is starting to get stuffed up, try some of the hacks below to see if you can help relieve congestion and get the snot flowing.
1Fill The Bathroom With Steam
According to Parents, sitting in the steamy bathroom will help loosen the mucus in your baby's nostrils and calm them down. And I can attest to this trick. On long nights when congestion just wouldn't budge, I often bring them to the bathroom, close the door, push a towel in the space beneath, and turn the shower to its highest temperature.
2Use A Bulb Syringe
The infamous bulb syringe is loved by some moms and loathed by others. It took me a while to figure out how to get the bulb syringe to suck snot out efficiently, but it can be a helpful aid in relieving stuffiness. The aforementioned Parents article shared that the best way to use it is to squeeze the bulb to get all of the air out, gently insert the tip into baby's nostril, and let go to suck the mucus out.
3Offer Breast Milk Or Formula More Often
According to Mighty Moms, keeping your baby hydrated will keep the snot from solidifying and making congestion worse. Additionally, the sucking can sometimes trigger some relief or drainage.
4Turn On A Cool Air Humidifier
According to About Kids Health, irritants and dry air can cause stuffy noses, especially in babies. In order to help prevent or get rid of a stuffy nose, it's a good idea to turn on a cool air humidifier, especially during the dry winter months.
5Try Saline Nasal Spray
According to WebMD, you can gently tilt your baby's head back and place a few drops of saline nasal spray in each nostril. The saline drops should help thin the mucus and help it work its way out of the nose.
6Incline The Crib Mattress
The aforementioned Mighty Moms article suggested placing a pillow between the crib springs and mattress to incline the mattress just a tiny bit. This should help the mucus drain a bit better during their nap or bedtime.
7Pat Baby's Back
Giving your baby light pats with a cupped hand while they lay across your legs can also help ease congestion, according to the previously shared WebMD article. This tactic can help loosen up mucus and make it easier for babies to get it out.
8Put On A Baby Sling Or Carrier
Placing your baby upright or angled in a carrier can calm your baby and help with drainage, according to the aforementioned Mighty Moms article. It's also a great way to get your baby to rest, which can also help with fighting off a cold.
9Try A Nasal Massage
According to baby massage and yoga instructor Lucy Johns, trying a nasal massage for stuffiness and congestion is a great way to help release mucus and calm a stuffy baby. Much like utilizing chiropractic or massage therapy, taking advantage of some at-home massage techniques may be the fix you're looking for.
