My Baby Has a Cough and Runny Nose
Stuffy Nose in Babies and Toddlers
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on March 15, 2020
Is your little one all stuffed up? When that tiny nose gets clogged or runny, it can make your baby — and everyone else in the house — pretty miserable. Here's what you need to know about how to treat your child's stuffy or runny nose and when to call the doctor.
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Your baby's stuffy or runny nose is definitely not fun, but it's rarely a sign of anything serious. While it's tricky to prevent or stop those sniffles — which can make your little one fussy and sleepless — there are things you can do to help alleviate her discomfort. And knowing what's causing her runny or stuffy nose can make it easier to treat.
What causes a stuffy nose in babies and toddlers?
It's amazing that little noses can produce so much gunk — but it's also totally normal. Stuffed-up noses are caused by inflammation of the sensitive membranes that line the nasal cavity, and they're usually nothing to worry about.
Congestion in newborn babies is common, even when there's nothing wrong — the mucus in her system means her immune system is developing.
Other causes of congestion in babies and toddlers are upper respiratory viruses like the common cold, the flu, allergies, cold weather and accidental exposure to environmental irritants like tobacco smoke. Your child's nasal congestion and runny nose may come with other symptoms, including sneezing, a cough and itchy skin around the nose or face.
When is a stuffy nose or congestion cause for concern in babies or toddlers and when should you call the doctor?
By itself, a stuffy nose or congestion isn't something to worry about, especially if it's caused by a cold or exposure to cold weather — which makes grown-up noses run too.
If your baby takes a break from nursing because she can't breathe and suck at the same time, that can be distressing to both of you. Try a few saline drops in her nostrils to loosen the mucus and then very gently suction her nose with an infant nasal aspirator to clear out her nasal passages.
A cool-mist humidifier in her bedroom and exposure to steam from the shower can also help — just make sure to gradually remove layers of clothing when the bathroom gets warm and put them back on when you leave the room.
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If your child's stuffiness is accompanied by a fever, ear pain, a sore throat and/or swollen glands, or you suspect there is a foreign object stuck in her nose, call your pediatrician right away. If your little one's breathing becomes labored, even through the mouth, that also warrants an immediate call to your pediatrician's emergency line or 911 (or a trip to the ER).
You'll also want to consult your doctor if you suspect an allergic reaction to any environmental pollutants, which is rare in babies, or if the nasal discharge is green, bloody or smells bad.
Sometimes those secondary symptoms are hard to discern in a baby, so if you're worried about your little one's plugged-up nose and her general comfort, a call to your practitioner is a good idea anyway, if only to ease your mind.
What can you give a baby or toddler for a stuffy nose?
Since you can't give babies and toddlers any cold medicine, simple home remedies can offer lots of relief from stuffy, runny noses in little ones.
- Saline drops and suction: To clear up baby's congestion, try using baby saline drops or a saline spray, which you can get at any pharmacy. Put two or three drops in each nostril, and then use a baby nasal bulb aspirator to suction the mucus plugging up her nose. Doing this before feeding can help prevent nursing interruptions due to discomfort.
- Vapor rubs: Some vapor rubs — especially those formulated for babies and toddlers — may be okay to apply to either the soles of your child's feet or potentially to the chest, though always check with your pediatrician before using any of those products and get detailed instructions on how, regardless of what the label says. And never put the rub under or inside your little one's nose.
- Humidifier: A cold-mist humidifier — not a hot-mist one, which can pose a burn risk if a baby or toddler falls or trips on it — can help moisten the air and your child's dry, irritated sinuses.
Never give decongestants or other cold medications to babies or children under 4 years old. And beyond that, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends talking to your pediatrician before giving any cold medicine to children between the ages of 4 and 6 because it isn't proven to alleviate symptoms in young children and could be potentially dangerous.
Can you prevent stuffy, runny noses in babies and toddlers?
Unfortunately, stuffy, runny noses are a part of life for babies and toddlers, and there's not much you can do to prevent them. What you can do is minimize the risk of colds and flu by washing your hands and your child's frequently — and making sure everyone who comes in contact with baby does the same — and making sure your little one avoids infectious people as much as possible.
From the What to Expect editorial team and Heidi Murkoff, author ofWhat to Expect When You're Expecting. What to Expect follows strict reporting guidelines and uses only credible sources, such as peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions and highly respected health organizations. Learn how we keep our content accurate and up-to-date by reading our medical review and editorial policy.
- What to Expect the First Year, 3rd edition, Heidi Murkoff.
- WhatToExpect.com, Colds in Babies: Causes, Symptoms, Tips and Remedies, March 2018.
- WhatToExpect.com, Colds in Toddlers: Causes, Symptoms, Tips and Remedies, April 2018.
- American Academy of Pediatrics, Coughs and Colds, Medicines or Home Remedies?, November 2018.
American Academy of Pediatrics, Cough and Cold Medicine — Not for Children, 2018.
American Academy of Pediatrics, Simple Remedies Often Best for Common Colds in Young Children, November 2011.
American Academy of Pediatrics, Pediatrics in Review, Stuffy Nose, August 2010.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Children and Flu Antiviral Drugs, September 2019.
My Baby Has a Cough and Runny Nose
Source: https://www.whattoexpect.com/childrens-health-and-safety/stuffy-nose-in-toddlers-and-babies.aspx