Children, especially infants, are vulnerable to common cold, cough, and flu. And in some cases, this can cause nasal congestion (blocked or stuffy nose). This occurs when too much moisture causes the tissues and blood vessels in the nose to swell. Due to their extremely tiny nasal passageways, newborns are more susceptible to it. Even a small amount of air, breast milk, or mucus can trigger it. So, how to clear a stuffy nose? Let’s find out.
To help you treat your baby’s clogged nose, Health Shots got in touch with Dr Santosh Kumar, Consultant Paediatrician and Neonatologist, Motherhood Hospitals, Banashankari, Bengaluru, to share some tips which can help treat chest congestion in children.
Dr Kumar says, “It is quite common for babies to have a runny or congested nose. Though it’s common, it can cause discomfort.”
Symptoms like noisy and rapid breathing can indicate a stuffy nose in babies and it is equally uncomfortable for the parents as it is for the child. Fortunately, there are many ways by which you can get rid of this problem. However, let’s learn more about the causes of chest congestion in babies before jumping into ways to safeguard your child against common cold and cough.
There are many reasons why your baby might be experiencing these symptoms. Your baby’s chest can get congested because of breathing unhealthy air, smoke, exposure to viruses, pollutants, and other irritants. Their body produces extra mucus in the nose to trap them. Other factors like dry hair and other harsh weather conditions can trigger the production of mucus. Let’s take a look at the symptoms that cause nasal congestion in babies.
If you notice the following symptoms, it simply means that your baby’s chest is congested and you need to take immediate action.
Here are some tips to clear stuffy nose:
1. Give your baby a warm bath, which has been proven to be really helpful in clearing congestion.
2. Keep a check on regular feedings and change the wet diaper on time.
3. Use a few drops of saline water to clear the congestion.
4. Make sure that the area around the baby is dry. You can get a humidifier to keep the air around humid, clean, and breathable.
5. Massaging the nasal bridge, forehead, and cheekbones can ease discomfort caused by chest congestion.
6. Use gentle suction to clear the nasal passage, especially before feeding the baby.
7. Make sure to remove any kind of smoke, pollutants, and allergens from the surroundings as these can cause your baby to breathe in bad air or irritants.
8. A steam session can help them breathe better. You can use steam from a hot shower in the bathroom.
So follow these tips and keep your child healthy! However, make sure to talk to a doctor before adopting any of the methods mentioned here.
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