Blocked Nose In Infants

Blocked Nose In Infants

Blocking of nose is common in babies under six months old. It is usually due to normal mucus that collects in the nose, which is difficult for the baby to clear.

Causes

Blocking of nose is not caused by colds or infections. However an infection can make things from bad to worse. Feeding can become difficult if the baby cannot breathe well due to blocked nose.

General measures


Nothing needs to be done if the baby is comfortable and able to feed. If feeding becomes difficult, the following may help.

Gently stroke the inside of a nostril with a wisp of cotton wool. This may make the baby sneeze and clear the blocked mucus. This method may help clear the mucus from the baby's nostrils before feeds and before sleep.

Increase the humidity of the room where the baby sleeps by placing a bucket of warm water. This raises the humidity, which may help to loosen thick mucus.

Saline drops (salt water drops) may be useful if the above measures do not help. Saline drops thin out the mucus and make it easier for the baby to clear from the nose. Use saline drops just before feeds when the nose is blocked. If saline is used too often, the skin around the nose may become a little sore.

Ephedrine drops prescribed by your doctor is very good at drying up secretions in the nose. But ephedrine drops should only be used 2-3 times a day for a few days only. Rebound nasal congestion may develop if ephedrine drops are used frequently every day for more than a week, which can make the blocked nose worse.