Keep in mind that newborn noses are small with tiny nasal passages. Because of that, your baby might sneeze often, too. These sneezes don’t necessarily mean they have a cold, but instead are their body’s natural way of clearing the nose of irritants. Below is everything you need to know about newborn congestion, including how to help your baby when they have a stuffy nose and when to call the doctor.
What Causes Newborn Congestion
As long as your newborn’s congestion is not accompanied by other symptoms or interfering with their eating or breathing, there is most likely no reason for concern. At birth, it’s normal for babies to be congested. They typically get some amniotic fluid in their noses that can result in stuffiness for the first few days after birth. Saliva, breast milk, or formula can also make their way into your baby’s nose, causing them to sneeze in an effort to clear it out. Other causes of congestion include airborne substances, such as dust, pet dander, hairspray, perfume, and cigarette smoke, all of which can irritate nasal passages. Finally, dry air, colds, viruses, and allergies are common causes of nasal congestion, as well. With so many potential reasons for congestion in babies, it’s not surprising that they may have a stuffy nose more often than not.
Congestion vs. Runny Nose
Congestion is when nasal passages are swollen with excess mucus, while a runny nose is characterized by fluid coming out of the nose. “Stuffy noses are on the opposite spectrum of the runny nose,” says Dr. Stempel. “An upper respiratory infection, or the common cold, is the most common cause of a runny nose in babies,” says Hilary Stempel, MD, MPH, a pediatrician at Children’s Hospital Colorado and assistant professor of pediatrics at University of Colorado School of Medicine. Congestion, on the other hand, is not necessarily a sign of infection. “Nearly all babies will get a stuffy nose and this can sound very dramatic! Just a tiny bit of snot can block a baby’s tiny nostril and make loud ‘snorky’ sounds,” explains Dr. Stempel.
How to Prevent Baby Congestion
While some congestion is inevitable, especially in newborns, there are things you can do to help prevent bothersome congestion, especially from colds. The first step is knowing what congestion culprits to avoid. For instance, keep your baby away from the following common nasal irritants:
Aerosol spraysCigarette smokeHair spraysLint and dustPaint or gasoline fumesPerfumes or scented body lotionsPet hair
For babies under 3 months old, it’s important to keep them away from anyone who is sick. Avoiding crowds can help, too. This practice is especially important in the winter months when more people are sick with colds and other viruses. Keep in mind that a virus that only causes a mild illness in an adult can result in a serious situation for an infant. Also, make sure you are frequently washing your hands with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. If you have older children in the house, be sure they are also frequently washing their hands and covering their coughs. You also should stay up-to-date on your vaccines, including the flu vaccine and COVID-19 vaccine. Doing so will help protect your baby from exposure to these illnesses.
What to Consider When Helping a Baby With Congestion
Some doctors advise against treating your newborn’s stuffy nose, especially if they’re feeding well and urinating normally. They argue that it usually isn’t necessary to further irritate a baby’s nasal passage with salt water or bulb syringes. Others may recommend simple solutions to clear nasal congestion. These include using a humidifier, saline drops, and/or a bulb syringe. “It can be most helpful to remove mucus from your baby’s nose before feeding so your baby can eat more easily,” explains Dr. Stempel.
How to Treat Congestion in Babies
If your newborn is particularly congested and appears distressed, there are some things you can do. “Helping remove the mucus from your baby’s nose should make them more comfortable,” says Dr. Stempel. If you decide to try one or more home remedies, here’s what you need to know about helping clear your baby’s congested nose.
Invest in a Humidifier
A humidifier or cool-mist vaporizer in your baby’s room will add moisture to the air and help your baby breathe more easily. Be sure to clean the humidifier regularly in order to prevent mold growth. Avoid the use of warm-mist vaporizers as they have the potential of burning your baby.
Start With Saline Nasal Drops
Over-the-counter saline nasal drops can be helpful for loosening a mucus-filled baby nose. “Putting nasal saline in your baby’s nose will often help them sneeze to remove the snot on their own,” says Dr. Stempel. These drops thin the mucus and help your baby move it out of their nose.
Use a Bulb Syringe
After using saline drops, you can then use a bulb syringe or nasal aspirator to suck out the mucus and clear your baby’s nose. Don’t be overly aggressive with these devices though, as it’s easy to do more harm than good.
Safety Precautions
When it comes to addressing nasal congestion, there are some things you should steer clear of regardless of how congested your baby’s nose is. Here’s what to avoid.
Cough and Cold Medicines
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) does not recommend cough and cold medicines for children under 4 years of age. Meanwhile, children 4 to 6 years of age should only be given cough and cold medications if their pediatrician recommends it.
Menthol Rubs
Rubs (such as Vicks VapoRub) are not recommended for children under 2 years of age. Experts warn that these products can irritate and cause dangerous narrowing of the airway in infants and young children.
Wedges Under the Crib Mattress
The AAP’s safe sleep recommendations include placing your baby on their back to sleep on a firm, flat surface like a crib or a bassinet. The use of wedges or other devices is not recommended, as propping up your baby may increase the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
When to See Your Baby’s Pediatrician
Be sure to see a doctor right away if your baby is younger than 3 months old and their stuffy nose is making it difficult for them to breathe comfortably or nurse or drink from a bottle, says Dr. Stempel. If the congestion is related to a cold, you should contact a doctor right away. Colds in babies this young can quickly become dangerous problems like croup, bronchiolitis, or pneumonia. For children older than 3 months, call for a medical appointment if their nasal congestion lasts longer than 10 to 14 days. You also should contact a doctor if your baby has a fever over 102, is lethargic or cranky, appears to have ear pain, or has a cough that won’t go away.
A Word From Verywell
Often, your baby’s stuffy nose bothers you more than it bothers your baby. Stuffy noses are very common, especially in newborns, and babies can cope quite well on their own. Of course, if the congestion is lingering you can use a cool-mist humidifier to make their sleeping environment more comfortable. Signs that your baby is struggling for air include:
Fast breathingLips or nails that are turning blueNostrils that get larger with each breathSkin around the ribs sucking in with each breath
Saline drops along with a nasal aspirator are other options, but they should not be used aggressively or too often. The best course of action is often to simply wait it out. If you’re concerned about your baby’s stuffy nose, contact a pediatric healthcare provider for advice. But as long as they don’t have any other symptoms or a cold, a stuffy nose is usually nothing to worry about. Although they both accomplish the same thing, a cool-mist humidifier is safer because the steam from a warm-mist humidifier could get too warm or burn your baby if they get too close. Even an accidental spill from a warm-mist humidifier can cause burns. Before bed, try using saline drops to thin the mucus and a nasal aspirator to clear away any excess mucus. If your baby wakes in the middle of the night to feed, you can clear their nasal passages again if they seem particularly stuffy.
