Just stay calm! We’re here to help you. A stuffy or runny nose is a struggle for the child, and as a result, for the whole family, but you can manage the discomfort effectively. In this article, you will learn what causes a runny/stuffy nose in a baby or infant, and how to support clear breathing.
Why does a runny/stuffy nose occur?
A runny or blocked nose is typically caused by:
Young children are frequently exposed to new environments – their systems are constantly developing. Babies, toddlers, and preschoolers experience congestion multiple times a year! A runny or stuffy nose is a natural bodily reaction. In fact, the excess mucus produced is the body’s way of flushing out irritants from the nasal passages.
A runny nose can also be an uncomfortable response to environmental factors in babies and infants. These irritants can cause noticeable effects early in childhood. Typical irritants include pollens, house dust mites, molds, or pet hair. When the child’s body encounters these substances, it often responds by producing excess mucus.
Many parents claim to see a correlation between a baby’s runny nose and teething, which might be due to temporary discomfort during this stage.
Why is it a problem?
A runny/stuffy nose is not only irritating for the child and the parents but can cause significant disruption to daily routines as well.
A stuffy nose is especially problematic for the baby at night when they cannot take a full breath and sleep well due to a lot of mucus buildup in the nasal passages.
When a newborn has congestion, it can be very difficult for them since they breathe mainly through their nose until they are at least 2 months old! When the baby has nasal congestion, they also often struggle to eat properly. They may cry because it is difficult to breathe while feeding.
The challenge doesn’t disappear with age. Runny nose or nasal congestion in infants and older children is a common problem. When a child enters daycare and kindergarten, they are exposed to many new environments and irritants. Being exposed to others is a necessary and inevitable stage in a child’s life, but it also means dealing with various types of congestion challenges.
What are the consequences?
A long-lasting, blocked nose in babies and infants can lead to significant discomfort and disruptions such as difficulty feeding, poor sleep quality, and general fussiness. Maintaining nasal comfort and hygiene is the best way to support your child’s well-being!
![Fussy baby](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0989/8691/8226/files/AV4W9852_s.jpg?v=1761937700")
How to help a baby with a runny/stuffy nose?
Until your child learns how to blow their nose, you can support clear breathing and promote comfort by clearing the nasal passages with the help of saline solution and an electric or manual nasal aspirator. It’s easy and safe to perform at home.
When you clear the stuffy nose of a baby or infant, you not only ease their discomfort and support clear upper airways, but you also help to maintain a clean environment and ensure a quiet night for the child and yourself. Choosing a night light with a timer for your child’s bedroom can further enhance those quiet nights by creating a soothing and predictable sleep environment. A timer ensures that the light fades gently as your child falls asleep, helping them transition smoothly into rest. It also prevents the light from staying on unnecessarily, preserving the calm, dark setting that supports deep, uninterrupted sleep.
Sounds good, doesn’t it? Nasal hygiene for your baby involves:
Saline solutions can be bought in a pharmacy or be made at home. It’s safe to use even on a newborn as it contains no active ingredients. Do not use any other type of pharmaceutical nasal drops unless advised by your healthcare provider!
The next step is to clean the little nose with the help of a baby nasal aspirator, for example from the Nosiboo line. They are suitable for newborns, infants, and even toddlers – for as long as your child needs them. If you’d like to know more about which type of nasal aspirator will suit you the most, click here.
How to use a nasal aspirator?
It’s easy, see it for yourself:
1. Hold your child in a stable position.
a. Clear the nose of newborns or infants after laying them into a stable position. It’s recommended to hold their head during the process.
b. If the child is already able to sit, place them in your lap. In this case, do not lay the child on their back during the aspiration.
Newborns
Infants
Toddlers
2. Insert the clean, dry nose tip into the child’s nostril. Depending on the type of nasal aspirator you use, turn it on or start performing suctioning using the power of your lungs. Move the nose tip around gently to make sure that you get all the areas of the nostril. It should take around 10 seconds per nostril to clear the stuffy nose.
3. Wash the parts intended to be disinfected with liquid soap and lukewarm water. You can soak the parts in a disinfection liquid, just make sure the liquid is safe to use for baby equipment.
4. Let the parts dry completely before the next use.
With proper nasal hygiene, you can clear the runny or stuffy nose of a newborn or infant safely and effectively, easing the child’s discomfort and supporting the easy flow of air through the upper airway. But, most importantly, your baby will be happy again!
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