If your baby’s cough sounds wet (wheezing) or accompanies mucus, it’s most likely due to chest congestion. Coughs tend to last about three or four weeks and typically clear up on their own. Respiratory tract infections are the main causes of chest congestion, as they infect sinuses, throat, airways or lungs.

Humidifiers are a great way to help break up mucus, specifically when you opt for the cool mist. You can leave it running all day, but especially while your baby is sleeping. And even if you don’t have a humidifier, you can run a hot shower to produce steam and sit in the bathroom with your child for a few minutes. You can do this several times a day. Give them a bath

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Note that some types of nasal syringes come with removable tips in a range of sizes, allowing you to find one that’s a perfect fit for your baby’s nose. Add a couple of drops each in your baby’s nose. Wait for half a minute before you start cleaning the liquefied mucus that comes out. Once you have your saline nose drop solution, you’ll need to be prepared to administer it. Simply insert one to two drops of solution into one nostril and allow it to travel into the nasal cavity. Repeat on the other side.

Congestion is a side effect of the common cold. Babies only breathe through their nose and do not mouth breath. Nasal congestion thus impairs their breathing, especially while feeding (2). Why Are They Used for Babies? Using an aspirator bulb, gently remove any newly loosened mucus. Squeeze out all the air in the bulb before inserting it in your baby’s nostril and slowly releasing the pressure. Newborn babies will experience nasal congestion (snuffles) quite often, as they naturally accumulate mucus in their noses but can’t easily clear it out. Chest and nasal congestion are also typical symptoms of colds, flu and other respiratory infections, to which your newborn baby is more susceptible. Find out how to help a congested baby at home and when you may need to call your doctor. Your Baby’s Congested Nose and Chest: Why It Happens Put 3 to 4 drops into each nostril using the nose dropper (Picture 1). The nose drops may make the baby sneeze.Mix the ingredients well. You should plan on using your saline solution at room temperature. How to Give Saline Nose Drops to Your Baby If your baby hates this process and cries or fights it, you’re better off skipping this method, or at least waiting and trying another time. Mucus in the nose is not dangerous, and some babies just hate having their noses suctioned. Nasal aspirator To make the solution, mix 3 teaspoons of non-iodised salt and one teaspoon of baking soda. Store it in a small, clean jar. When you are ready to use it, mix a teaspoon of the mixture into 8 ounces of previously boiled and cooled water. Productive coughing: If your child is coughing up mucus, especially if it’s opaque green, it’s worth a doctor’s visit. If your child has a runny nose with very loose mucus, you most likely won’t need to use saline drops. But if your child has harder mucus (or boogies!), you may need to soften it by using one or two saline drops in the nostril before you use the bulb syringe.

Most people feel they can’t avoid the task of cleaning out their baby’s nose. However, other remedies can help minimize congestion or a runny nose. Use a humidifier or steam treatment Once you’ve taken apart the nasal aspirator, simply use warm water and soap to wash it. You can let the pieces soak and then wash, or some are even dishwasher/sterilizer safe. Your nasal aspirator should come with proper cleaning instructions if you’re unsure. As mentioned above, babies have an underdeveloped immune system. Hence they may catch a cold easily. If you follow the guidelines given here, administering nasal sprays to your child will become easy. If you do not prefer the use of sprays, try one of the alternate methods. But remember, never self-medicate your child and always ensure a paediatrician validates the alternative methods before you try them. These precautionary measures will help you ensure that your baby does not go through another set of medical issues and recovers soon.

Baby congestion is natural, as your newborn will accumulate mucus in their nose without being able to clear it out. Common baby congestion symptoms include noisy breathing, trouble feeding and sleepiness. Wash the bulb syringe in warm, soapy water after each use. Squeeze soapy water into the bulb and shake to clean out the mucus. Then, squeeze the water out. Repeat this step many times. Rinse the bulb many times by filling it with clear water, then squeezing the water out. Saline Nose Drops Allow your baby to remain reclined for a few minutes if possible. This may encourage sneezing, which will help loosen and remove mucus and congestion. With so many options on the market when it comes to cleaning your baby’s nose, it’s completely understandable if you’re a little overwhelmed with finding the right solution. The most common choices include a bulb syringe, nasal aspirator, and saline drops and sprays. So, let’s break down how and when to use each of these popular options. Bulb syringe

After stirring them in and ensuring that they have dissolved completely, take as much solution as required and keep the rest in a clean bowl for no more than 24 hours. Make sure your hands and all the equipment are clean. Always wash your hands thoroughly before and after application to limit germ transmission. You should sterilize your eyedropper and aspirator bulb after each use.But if you’re determined to keep your baby upright even during bedtime, you’ll need to sit up with them as opposed to raising your baby’s mattress. Raising the mattress — especially for infants — can increase the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Try breast milk drops Lie your baby across your lap with their head angled slightly toward the floor so you can use gravity to help the saline solution get where it needs to be. Use a dropper to take a small amount of solution while it is warm. Make sure it isn’t too hot or cold but close to body temperature.