Infant Nasal Congestion
Infant nasal congestion can be very scary, particularly if parents do not understand what the problem is. Nasal congestion in infants is usually the cause of the build up of mucous in the baby’s nasal cavity. This build up can lead to difficulty in breathing, general fussiness and increased crying, difficulties in eating or feeding, and sleep disturbances. This problem, though frustrating, is not uncommon and can often be treated at home.
Parents and caregivers can try curing nasal congestion through the use of saline nose drops or sprays. These products should be used under the advice of a doctor and should not be used for long periods of time. Most other over the counter products are not advisable, as they may treat the symptoms of congestion but will not treat the actual cause. “Steaming” the baby is another common practice for treating nasal congestion. In this process, parents take the baby into the bathroom, close the door, and then sit with the baby on the edge of the tub or on the floor. The shower should be turned on to the hottest setting and the water should be left on for approximately fifteen minutes. This will turn the bathroom into a sort of “steam room,” and the warm steam will often soften the dried mucous in the baby’s nasal cavity, leading to easier breathing. Using a warm mist vaporizer in the baby’s room whenever he or she is asleep is another great way to alleviate nasal congestion in infant children. Any area the child visits should also be very clean and free of dust and other common, airborne allergens such as pet hair. Dust, in particular, can worsen congestion as the particles add to the mucous build up. Avoiding pasteurized milk products that can bring on or worsen congestion is also advisable. Finally, parents should allow babies to cry for a few extra minutes, as this crying is sometimes necessary to break up the congestion.
If none of these treatments work or if symptoms go away and quickly come back, parents should take the child to visit a doctor. Other signs and indications of a more serious problem that requires a doctor’s care include great difficulty in breathing, coughing, wheezing, refusing food, refusing drink, running a fever, having a thick discharge from the nose, becoming increasingly lethargic, and not sleeping. Parents should also be careful to note if the difficulty in breathing is coming from the chest. A rattling, rasping sound from the baby’s chest can be indicative of bronchitis, infant asthma, or another condition, while these noises from the nose are usually less serious. Watchfulness and special care can easily cure simple infant nasal congestion.