In the meantime, try these natural ways to help ease baby chest congestion. Also, be sure to give your child lots of fluids.
- Saline Drops
Infant congestion is caused by an excess of mucus in the nose and throat. Mucus is the body’s way of getting rid of germs, and when your baby’s chest gets congested, they will have trouble breathing and feeding.
Using saline drops can help thin the mucus and clear it out of your baby’s nose. Use the dropper bottle to place a few drops in each nostril. This can be done multiple times throughout the day. It’s important to use only plain saline solution without any other added ingredients, as they can have adverse effects on your child.
Hold your infant in a comfortable position, with the back of their head in the crook of your arm. Then, slowly and gently release the tip of a bulb syringe into the nostril you placed the saline in. As air reenters the nasal passage, it creates suction that pulls out the mucus and extra saline. Continue to do this in each nostril until the saline is gone.
Another option is to use a nebulizer, which is similar to the nasal dropper. This will allow you to inhale steam, which can be helpful for clearing congestion in babies.
- High Pillow
The accumulation of mucus in a baby’s nasal passage can cause a lot of discomfort to them. It makes them wheeze while breathing, which can be quite irritating for them. Moreover, they lose their appetite due to it and start feeling cranky.
Keeping your baby’s head elevated can help them breathe better. You can do this by placing a pillow under their crib mattress, or you can simply hold them upright. This position allows gravity to drain the mucus and can help your baby sleep better at night.
Gently tapping your baby’s back with your hand can also relieve chest congestion. You can do this while they are sitting on your lap. Just support their body and gently tap them with your palm on their back between the shoulder blades. This can loosen the mucus and make it easier for your baby to cough it out.
You can also use a humidifier in your baby’s room to add moisture in the air. Just remember to keep it clean as molds can grow inside. You can also try Mamaearth Breathe Easy Vapour Rub which is free from camphor, paraffin and mineral oil to decongest a stuffy nose and ease breathing.
- Massage
Chest congestion occurs when the respiratory system produces extra mucus to trap pathogens or foreign objects, which then blocks airways and prevents breathing. This is one of the main symptoms of bronchiolitis, which is inflammation of the smallest airways in the lungs called bronchioles.
Mucus is the body’s first line of defense, and it is the primary way we get rid of pathogens and foreign objects. But if there is excess phlegm in the chest, it can make it difficult for your baby to breathe.
A few massage techniques can help clear mucus from the baby’s lungs and nasal passage. One of them is steaming with a humidifier, which helps to loosen phlegm and encourages deep breathing. Another one is using a nasal aspirator, which is a small device that looks like a drop applicator. You just place it in your baby’s nostril and press the bulb syringe to suck out excess phlegm.
The other thing you can try is giving your baby hot liquids, such as soup. This is a great way to keep your baby hydrated and also reduce the production of phlegm. Another effective method is massaging the baby’s neck, palms, feet, and chest with warm mustard oil. This soothes your baby and opens up the nasal passage to relieve chest congestion. You can also use Mamaearth Breathe Easy Vapour Rub to help your baby sleep better and decongest a stuffy nose. It is made from natural ingredients and is 100% safe to use as it is free from camphor, petroleum jelly, paraffin, and mineral oils.
- Warm Bath
A warm bath relaxes the baby and helps to relieve nasal, sinus, and chest congestion. Warm water also loosens mucus to facilitate easier breathing. You can also add some mustard oil (warm) to the bath water. The warmth and the properties of the mustard oil help in opening up the blocked nose. You can also use a mixture of herbs like chamomile, lavender, and English ivy in a tea ball and put it in the bath.
Babies tend to cough more than adults, and coughing is their way of getting rid of the accumulated mucus in the chest. The increased mucus production is a normal response to illness, and it should not be treated with medication.
A cool mist humidifier may help clear the mucus and improve breathing. However, you should avoid vapor rubs that contain menthol or eucalyptus. The use of vapor rubs may even cause irritation to the respiratory tract, especially for infants. Also, make sure your baby gets enough sleep and is well-hydrated. Moreover, try to keep them away from pollutants and cigarette smoke, as they can worsen the condition.
- Suction
A cold or viral infection can cause your baby to cough and have chest congestion. This is normal because your infant’s lungs and airways are still developing. However, congestion can be uncomfortable and may cause your baby to lose sleep.
To help relieve baby’s chest congestion, you can use a humidifier or a cool mist vaporizer in their room. This moist air can help thin the mucus and drain it from your baby’s nose.
You can also use a suction bulb to clear the thick mucus from your baby’s nose. Place the tip of the bulb in your baby’s nose or mouth and squeeze it. When you release your thumb, air will be sucked into the bulb and it will also vacuum in the mucus and fluids.
Be sure to clean the bulb between uses to avoid germs and clogs. If your baby’s congestion lasts more than a few days or they have a fever, talk to their pediatrician. They might want to perform an X-ray to check for pneumonia or other infections. Keeping plenty of non-sugary drinks like warm water and broth will also be helpful in reducing your baby’s congestion.