Nasal congestion: How to clear your baby's dry, stuffy nose

What causes stuffy nose in newborns?

In the first few days of life, a newborn may sound like they have a stuffy nose because in the womb they were surrounded by fluid. Sometimes they sneeze for the first couple of days as they try to get rid of this leftover fluid in their nasal passages. A newborn with a stuffy nose may snort when breathing and sound "snuffly."

If your newborn has a stuffy nose they may breathe through their mouth, which can make it harder for them to feed. Usually, nasal congestion goes away on its own within a week.

What causes stuffy nose in older babies?

Stuffy nose or nasal congestion in older babies happens when the tissues inside the nose swell or produce mucus. In some cases, a stuffy nose can cause feeding problems or breathing problems.

Causes of stuffy nose in older babies include:

• viral upper respiratory infections (such as a cold)
• dry air
• irritants such as dust, cigarette smoke, or perfumes

How to soothe your baby's stuffy nose

Try the measures below to help your baby's stuffy nose. If your baby keeps having difficulty breathing or feeding, check with their health-care provider to rule out other conditions that may be causing the stuffy nose.

If a dry or irritated nose seems to be bothering your baby, try these tips:

Moisten your baby's nose

You can buy salt water (saline) drops at any pharmacy.

1. Lay your child on their back. Place a rolled towel or a small blanket beneath their shoulders or gently press on the tip of the nose to make it easier for the drops to go in.
2. Put two or three saline drops into each nostril.

Run a humidifier or cool-mist vaporizer near your baby's crib

Water vapor can help moisten and loosen the mucus inside your baby's nose. Clean out and re-fill the vaporizer every day.

How to clear your baby's stuffy nose

In addition to running a humidifier or vaporizer near your baby's crib, you can also clear the mucus using saline nose drops.

Clearing mucus using saline nose drops

1. Lay your child on their back. Place a rolled towel or a small blanket beneath their shoulders or gently press on the tip of the nose to make it easier for the drops to go in.
2. Put two or three saline nose drops into each nostril. Wait 30 to 60 seconds.
3. Turn your child onto their stomach to help their nose drain. Catch the mucus outside the nostril with a tissue or swab. Your baby might cough or sneeze the mucus and saline out.
4. Roll the swab or tissue around the outside of the nostril to draw the fluid out of the nose. Do not insert a cotton swab into your child's nostrils.

Clearing mucus using an infant nasal aspirator or nasal suction bulb

If you have trouble removing the mucus, try using an infant nasal aspirator or nasal suction bulb. A nasal aspirator is a tube that is placed in your baby’s nostril, while you inhale through the mouthpiece of the tube to draw out any mucus. The mucus is then caught in a filter. A suction bulb is inserted into your baby’s nostril and acts as a vacuum to remove mucus. Suction bulbs are generally less effective in clearing mucous and secretions.

How to use a nasal aspirator:

1. Before the first use, rinse the aspirator with hot water and dry thoroughly.
2. Place a clean filter in the filter chamber and reconnect the aspirator.
3. Lay the child on their back with their head tilted to the right. Carefully place one to two saline drops into the nostril. Follow the same procedure in the opposite nostril after turning the child’s head to the left.
4. Place the nasal aspirator soft tip at the entrance of the baby’s nostril. Inhale through the mouthpiece to gently draw out the mucus. Mucus will be collected in the hygienic filter and cannot pass through the inhalation tube. Repeat in the other nostril. Gently lift the baby to allow any remaining mucus to drain out of their nose.
5. Soak a tissue or cotton ball in saline solution and use it to gently wipe the child’s nostrils.
6. After each use, unclip the aspirator at its base, remove and discard the used filter, rinse the nasal aspirator with hot water and dry. Do not sterilize or boil the nasal aspirator.

How to use a nasal suction bulb:

1. Pinch the air out of the bulb.
2. Gently place the tip into the nostril, just inside the opening. Do not go too deep or you can cause damage to the inner part of the nose. Let the air come back into the bulb, pulling the mucus out of the nose with it.
3. Release the mucus onto a tissue.
4. Rinse the bulb well with fresh water before and after each use.

When to see a health-care provider

Call your child's health-care provider if your child develops any of the following symptoms.

• Fever
• Stuffy nose lasting longer than two weeks
• Difficulty breathing or breathing quickly
• Trouble feeding or not interested in feeding
• Extreme fussiness or pain