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Nasal congestion in babies is, unfortunately,
quite common. This condition is more bothersome
in newborns, as they are actually nasal
breathers from the early neonatal period
to about 2 months of age or so. Congestion
happens when baby's nasal passages are blocked
by mucus. This is typically a symptom of
cold, allergy or teething. It clears up
with the associated condition. Most healthy
babies have six colds or more before age
1. A baby will insist on breathing through
the nose, even when it is blocked. Therefor
a clear nose is essential to nursing or
bottle-feeding as the baby either has the
teat or nipple in his/her mouth. A blocked
nose can make feeding time difficult, as
the baby may become irritable.
Congestion can occur as part of a cold and
if accompanied by other symptoms of a cold,
you may need to consult your doctor. |
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| Symptoms? |
• Difficulty with feeding
• Crying or becoming agitated
• Nasal discharge
• Noisy nasal breathing
• Difficulty sleeping
• Possibility of fever
• Greater comfort when sitting upright
• Snoring
• Snorting
• Sneezing
• Coughing
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Causes?
• Viral infections caused by close
proximity to other infected adults or children
can trigger the common cold.
• Acid reflux
• Sinusitis/adenoiditis (secondary
bacterial infection)
• Allergies (especially in children
over 2 years of age) can cause a runny or
blocked nose.
• In the winter or autumn months,
indoor heating may dry the nasal passages,
making it easier for a cold virus to occur.
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Duration?
The symptoms in a typical virus can last
for three to seven days. Since children
are prone to viral infections, there may
appear to be short intervals between sickness
and wellness, as children may have as many
as 10 to 12 viral/cold infections per year. |
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When
your baby needs doctor's attention?
If the nasal congestion is causing your
child difficulties, particularly with their
breathing (especially a young infant) or
if there is a fever or malaise or the condition
continues for a number of days, you should
always have your child examined by your
doctor. If your baby is 3 months or older,
call the doctor if he or she:
• Isn't wetting as many diapers as
usual
• Has a temperature higher than 100
F for more than three days
• Seems to be tugging at her ears
• Has yellow eye discharge
• Has a cough for more than one week
• Has thick, green nasal discharge
for more than two weeks
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Relief through
your efforts?
Bulb syringe or saline drops
Use a nasal bulb syringe
to remove loose mucus from the baby's nostrils.
Squeeze the bulb. Insert the tube into one
nostril. Release the bulb and withdraw the
tube. Expel the mucus into a napkin or tissue.
Repeat with the other nostril.
Use saline drops provided
by baby's doctor to lubricate nasal passages
lined with dry or thick mucus. Place one
drop inside each nostril. Your baby might
start crying. These should only be used
on a short-term basis as over-use may dry
out the nasal passages.
Wipe baby's runny nose with soft cloth and
keep areas around nose moist using baby
emollient to prevent chafing.
Moisten the air
Humidifiers, which provide a warm vapor
to moisten the atmosphere, can be used to
ensure that the baby s nasal passages are
kept moist and free of congestion. If using
a humidifier, make it is placed safely and
out of the reach of any children, as it
will be full of vaporising water. Aim the
mist away from your baby's crib to keep
the bedding from becoming damp. To prevent
mold growth, change the water daily and
follow the manufacturer's instructions for
cleaning the unit.
Sleeping in an elevated position
Let the baby sleep upright ' in a car seat,
swing or lying on a parent's chest. |
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Precautions?
Do not use over-the-counter medicine such
as pain relievers or decongestants without
consulting your baby's doctor first, especially
in babies aged three months and below. |
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Prevention?
Colds typically cause congestion and it
is spread through droplets coughed or sneezed
into the air. Common sense and plenty of
soap and water is the clear defense.
• Keep your baby away from anyone
who's sick, especially during the first
few days of illness. If possible, avoid
public transportation with your newborn.
• Wash your hands before feeding or
caring for your baby. When soap and water
aren't available, use sanitizers.
• Clean your baby's toys and pacifiers
often.
• Encourage every family member to
practice hygiene.
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FYI
The signs of a cold are:
• Congested and runny nose
• Clear nasal discharge that may thicken
and turn green
• After a few days, the discharge
becomes clear and runny again
• A low grade fever in the first few
days of a cold
• You baby may sneeze, cough, develop
a hoarse voice or have red eyes
The signs of an allergy are:
• Itchy, watery eyes
• Repeated sneezing attacks
• Possible itchy skin
• Clear mucus
• No fever
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THE
FINAL WORDS
Stuffy noses tend to linger for a few weeks,
even when the cold is over. Since babies
can't blow their noses you need to provide
the appropriate help. As babies below 4
months breathe mainly through their nasal
passages rather than their mouth, it is
important that such a problem does not persist.
Babies prone to nasal congestion should
always be kept in a well-ventilated environment,
which is neither too "stuffy"
nor too cold. Never place your infant in
aggravating situations such as dusty or
smoky environments. |
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