Your baby'southward stuffy or runny nose is definitely not fun, but it'south rarely a sign of annihilation serious. While it's tricky to preclude or cease those sniffles — which can make your little 1 fussy and sleepless — there are things yous tin practice to help alleviate her discomfort. And knowing what's causing her runny or stuffy olfactory organ tin can go far easier to treat.

What causes a stuffy nose in babies and toddlers?

It's amazing that little noses can produce so much gunk — just information technology'southward too totally normal. Stuffed-up noses are caused past inflammation of the sensitive membranes that line the nasal cavity, and they're usually nothing to worry about.

Congestion in newborn babies is common, fifty-fifty when there's nothing wrong — the mucus in her system ways her immune organization is developing.

Other causes of congestion in babies and toddlers include:

  • Upper respiratory viruses similar the common common cold and COVID-19
  • The flu (influenza virus)
  • Allergies
  • Common cold weather condition
  • Exposure to environmental irritants like tobacco fume

Your child'due south nasal congestion and runny nose may come with other symptoms, including sneezing, a cough and itchy pare around the olfactory organ or confront.

When should you call the dr.?

By itself, a stuffy olfactory organ or congestion isn't something to worry most, especially if information technology'due south acquired by a cold or exposure to cold weather — which makes grown-up noses run also.

If your child'southward stuffiness is accompanied by a fever, ear pain, a sore throat and/or swollen glands, or y'all suspect there is a foreign object stuck in her nose, telephone call your pediatrician correct away. If your little 1's breathing becomes labored, even through the mouth, that also warrants an immediate call to your pediatrician's emergency line or 911 (or a trip to the ER).

You'll likewise desire to go your child tested for COVID-19 if she's experiencing symptoms (including a stuffy nose), and isolate her as best as possible for 10 days if she tests positive. Consult the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention COVID-xix guidelines (also as whatsoever school or 24-hour interval care protocols), and check in with your family's pediatrician if you accept whatsoever questions.

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You'll also want to consult your doctor if you suspect an allergic reaction to whatever environmental pollutants, which is rare in babies, or if the nasal discharge is green, bloody or smells bad.

Sometimes those secondary symptoms are hard to discern in a baby, and so if you're worried about your piddling 1's plugged-up nose and her full general comfort, a phone call to your practitioner is a good idea anyhow, if just to ease your mind.

What can you lot give a baby or toddler for a stuffy olfactory organ?

Since you can't requite babies and toddlers any cold medicine, unproblematic home remedies can offering lots of relief from stuffy, runny noses in picayune ones.

  • Saline drops and suction: To clear upwards babe'south congestion, endeavour using baby saline drops or a saline spray, which you can get at any pharmacy. Put 2 or three drops in each nostril, and so employ a baby nasal bulb aspirator to suction the mucus plugging upwards her olfactory organ. Doing this before feeding tin can help forbid nursing interruptions due to discomfort.
  • Vapor rubs: Some vapor rubs — especially those formulated for babies and toddlers — may exist okay to apply to either the soles of your child'south feet or potentially to the breast, though always check with your pediatrician before using any of those products and become detailed instructions on how, regardless of what the label says. Keep them out of reach of children, and never put the rub under or within your little ane'southward nose.
  • Humidifier: A cold-mist humidifier — not a hot-mist one, which tin pose a burn gamble if a baby or toddler falls or trips on it — can aid moisten the air and your child's dry out, irritated sinuses.

Never requite decongestants or other cold medications to babies or children under iv years old. And across that, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends talking to your pediatrician before giving any cold medicine to children betwixt the ages of four and 6 because information technology isn't proven to alleviate symptoms in young children and could exist potentially dangerous.

Can you prevent stuffy, runny noses in babies and toddlers?

Unfortunately, stuffy, runny noses are mutual for babies and toddlers, but you lot tin can minimize the risk of colds and viruses by:

  • Washing your hands and your child's oft — and making certain everyone who comes in contact with baby does the same
  • Avoiding infectious people as much as possible
  • Not sharing personal items similar utensils and cups
  • Ensuring your family is up-to-date on vaccinations — including the flu shot and the COVID-19 vaccine, if your children are old enough
  • Wearing well-plumbing equipment masks in crowded spaces (toddlers over the historic period of 2 can safely vesture them too)