What Is Good For Nasal Congestion In Babies?

Nasal congestion is a condition that develops related to the anatomical structure of the nose and the correct functioning of its functions.

The nose performs respiratory functions to provide breathing.

For this, it warms, filters and moistens the air taken into the body before it reaches the lungs.

Thus, protection is provided from substances that should not be taken into the body such as dust, pollen and bacteria.

If the nose does not work as it should, constrictions and congestion can be seen in the nose.

These significantly reduce respiratory capacity.

This is a common problem, especially in infants aged 0-2 years. The reason for its formation is due to different reasons.

What Causes Nasal Congestion In Babies?

Nasal congestion in babies can occur due to various factors. However, the cause of the blockage can usually be listed as follows:

• Upper Respiratory Disorders: Especially upper respiratory tract diseases such as the common cold often cause nasal congestion in infants. In such a case, there may be a noticeable increase in the baby’s nasal secretions. This triggers a runny nose.
• Allergy: Various allergies can be seen in babies as in adults. Some of these cause nasal congestion. Congestion can become very annoying, especially in case of overexposure to an allergic reaction.
• Adenoid: The main function of nasal meat is to help the body to fight microbes leaking from the nostrils. However, nasal congestion may occur in case of overgrowth of the adenoid.
• Sinusitis: Sinuses are located in various parts of the face and can be blocked due to environmental factors. A runny nose is common among the symptoms. This causes nasal congestion. Sinusitis is a condition that affects babies as well as adults.
• Foreign body in the nose: At the beginning of the behaviors seen in babies between the ages of 0-2, putting small objects and toys into the mouth and nose is seen. If nasal congestion is seen on only one side of the baby’s nose, it is useful to suspect this situation.
• Poor Air Quality: Poor air quality than it should be can cause babies’ nosebleeds. Especially environments, where cigarettes and exhaust fumes are abundant, are very harmful for babies. Such factors can cause nasal congestion as well as cause more serious health problems.

What Are The Symptoms Of Nasal Congestion In Babies?

Babies between the ages of 0-2 have not developed their speaking skills yet.

For this reason, when they experience a health problem such as nasal congestion, they cannot tell this to the people responsible for them.

Therefore, parents should be aware of such a problem.

The simplest way to understand this is to check the baby’s breathing pattern.

The baby’s constant mouth breathing can be a sign that the baby’s nose is blocked.

Decreased sleep quality of the baby is also a symptom of nasal congestion.

Babies with such a problem are constantly restless and show crying behavior at regular intervals.

Some babies may snore after falling asleep.

What Are The Factors Triggering Nasal Congestion In Babies?

Dry air is one of the most important factors that trigger nasal congestion in babies.

Exposure of the baby to smoking and chemical conditions is also a very serious trigger.

Although this is very harmful, it can make the baby sick in the long run.

Pollen, dust and mold spores also make it easier for the nose to become blocked.

Another trigger is exposing the baby to heavy odors such as perfume.

If nasal congestion is seen frequently, this may also be caused by allergies.

Especially moldy environments can cause serious allergy problems.

Mites found in all homes are also allergic triggers.

Pets such as cats and dogs can also cause allergies.

Since many things at home can cause nasal congestion, an allergy test should be done first to detect it.

Consuming milk and allergen foods are also triggers of this situation.

How Does Nasal Congestion In Babies Pass?

The use of an aspirator is one of the most preferred methods to relieve nasal congestion in infants.

Aspirators are also known as baby nose openers.

There are two types of aspirators, pumped and breath-operated.

For both species, attention should be paid to pressure.

Using the device with a very strong breath is harmful for the baby’s nasal mucosa.

The low humidity in the room where the baby stays can also cause nasal congestion.

For this, the room should be ventilated frequently.

The room temperature should not exceed 24 degrees.

Air humidifiers also help relieve nasal congestion.

Another method that can be applied to relieve congestion is to raise the baby’s pillow.

Having the pillow in a slightly more upright position makes it easier for the baby to breathe.

Massaging the baby’s head is also among the options.

The hot and humid air vapor provided by the hot bath can also be good for nasal congestion.

However, care should be taken that the temperature is not too high.

Otherwise, the baby’s skin may be irritated.

What Is Good For Nasal Congestion In Babies?

Before finding the method that will be good for the baby’s nasal congestion, it should be determined which problem is caused by the congestion.

If a baby’s nose is caused by exposure to too dry air, the solution is simple.

Ventilating the room, keeping the air temperature at an ideal level and humidifying the room are some of the simple solutions.

Help from steam machines can be used to humidify the room.

This method makes it very easy for the baby to breathe easily.

Saltwater is one of the methods that can be good for this situation.

Thanks to the saltwater sold in pharmacies, the breathing of the baby can be significantly facilitated.

Saltwater can also be used to clear the nose.

One of these methods is to lay the baby on his back, put a towel under his shoulders and put 2-3 drops of salt water in his nostrils.

After holding the baby for 30-60 seconds, you can empty his nose.

Turning the baby on its side at this time helps the nose to empty.

Flowing mucus should be cleaned with non-hard tissue.

What Problems Can Nasal Congestion Cause In Babies?

Continuously breathing through the nose causes the baby to breathe continuously through the mouth in the same way.

Continuous mouth breathing triggers throat infections and health problems such as pharyngitis.

These conditions can also cause nasal discharge.

When the nose remains blocked, the baby has difficulty breathing.

This causes the baby to be constantly restless and crying.

Bath time is ideal for clearing baby’s nose.

Hot and humid air allows nasal congestion to be opened.

Mucus can be easily cleared after bathing.

Breathing through the nose improves lung capacity.

Therefore, attention should be paid to breathing through the nose.

Mouth breathing is shallower than nasal breathing.

In this case, muscle groups called respiratory muscles come into play and this causes the problem defined as posture disorder.

Does Nasal Congestion Cause Cough In Babies?

The air you breathe contains many different substances.

These include dust, particles from other people’s coughs and sneezes, and germs.

These are substances harmful to health.

The nose acts as a filter during breathing.

The immune system is stimulated against the substances that enter and histamine is secreted in the body.

The increase in histamine secretion accelerates the blood flow to the nose.

This results in swelling of the nasal tissues.

Nasal congestion occurs as a result of swelling of the nasal tissues.

As a result of the development of such a situation, the baby has difficulty breathing.

This condition can cause mouth breathing, leading to upper respiratory tract infections.

This causes coughing.

How Should A Baby With A Stuffy Nose Be Laid?

The use of salt water is one of the first methods used to relieve the baby’s nasal congestion.

After this application, the baby should be laid on his side and his nose should be cleaned.

The position of the baby during sleep is also important.

Lying completely on your back can ease the stuffiness of the nose.

To prevent this, care should be taken to ensure that the baby’s pillow is slightly upright than normal.

Keeping the baby in an upright position outside of bedtime makes it easier to runny nose.

In Which Situations Should You Go To The Doctor?

In cases where nasal congestion does not go away in a short time and wheezing, a doctor should be consulted without wasting time.

In particular, a doctor’s control should be performed if the following symptoms are observed:

• Fire
• Skin rashes
• Prominent swellings in the front of the face
• Nasal congestion lasting more than 14 days
• Difficulty in breathing and feeding
• Restless body language and crying

How Should Inner Nasal Cleansing Be Done In Babies?

The ideal time to easily clean the baby’s nose is after a bath.

After steaming, mucus residues soften and can be expelled more easily.

After cleaning the nose with not too hot water, a soft napkin or towel can be helped.

Tools such as ear cleaning sticks should not be used during cleaning.

This can cause the baby to sneeze, damaging the nasal structure.

The nasal aspirator is a very easy way to clean the nose.

However, it is necessary to pay attention to the pressure when drawing air.

Strongly drawn air causes damage inside the baby’s nose.

The applied force should be light and balanced.

How Long Does Nasal Congestion Last In Babies?

If the congestion is caused by a cold, this may last for about 1 week.

This is a normal situation.

However, it should not be ignored that the obstruction lasts more than 14 days.

If the congestion is caused by sinusitis and bronchitis, then the congestion may take a little longer.

This condition usually goes away on its own within 14 days.

However, if the nasal congestion is caused by allergies, the complaints may continue for months.

The best thing to do for this is to see a doctor first.

The doctor will explain to you the methods needed to comfort the baby.

Is Breast Milk Dropped Into The Baby’s Nose?

Dropping breast milk into the baby’s nose is one of the methods used to relieve nasal congestion in babies.

According to some parents, doing this is as effective as using salt water.

The effect of this varies from baby to baby.

You can try this method to some extent while breastfeeding the baby.

However, this method should not be applied frequently in every feeding.

Repeating the process continuously may cause the baby to react negatively to feeding after a while.

In such a case, the process should be terminated.

Our article on sleep apnea may also attract your attention.