Congestion in Infants - All About Blocked & Runny Nose in Kids

The ingredients used in Vicks BabyRub include Aloe Vera, coconut oil, and fragrances of lavender and rosemary that help to relax and soothe your baby. This incredible BabyRub has been developed in association with baby and skin experts and is suitable for babies three months and above. Apply it to your baby’s chest, neck, back, and soles of feet for moisturizing and soothing your little one. A gentle massage combined with the fragrance of lavender, rosemary, and eucalyptus in Vicks BabyRub will provide calming and relaxing benefits, which will help your baby calm down when the little one gets cranky. It is recommended to avoid using the Vicks BabyRub directly on the face, eyes, broken skin, inside the mouth or inside nostrils. If it is applied to the feet of the baby, you can cover it to prevent accidental ingestion.

Now that you know how to help your baby relax, let’s take a look at what causes congestion in infants before we delve into home remedies for blocked noses in infants and treatment for runny nose in babies.

In newborn babies and toddlers, nasal congestion or blocked nose due to cold occurs when the tissues inside the nose swell or produce mucus. When your child has a blocked nose, the little one will have to breathe through the mouth, and this interferes when you try to feed them. In certain cases, blocked nose due to cold in kids can lead to breathing problems as well.

• A common cold is usually the primary cause of nasal congestion in babies and toddlers. This virus can enter your child’s system through the air, direct contact with an infected person, or by touching a contaminated surface.
• When directly exposed to extremely dry air, it causes nose blockage in babies. This dry air affects the sensitive lining of the baby’s nose and causes it to dry up. In certain cases, the blood vessels inside the dry nose can break and bleed.
• Another prominent cause of blocked nose due to cold in children is the presence of irritants such as dust, smoke, or perfumes around the little one.

• Coughing
• Sniffling
• Thick nasal mucus
• Discolored nasal mucus
• Eating trouble, as blocked nose makes it difficult for the child to breathe while eating.

It is imperative that you understand that blocked nose in children cannot be treated with over-the-counter (OTC) medications. However, home remedies for a blocked nose in kids is an excellent way of getting rid of this blocked nose due to cold . These remedies are effective and do not pose a threat to your baby’s health. They are as follows:

A warm bath:

If your baby loves bath time, a warm bath will be the ideal way to treat nasal congestion. Moreover, bath time can distract your baby while the warm water gets rid of the blockage in the nose.

Humidifier and steam:

Dry air is known to cause nasal congestion in kids, and in certain cases causes bleeding. To avoid this condition from progressing to this stage, place a humidifier in your child’s room. This will help in loosening the mucus and makes it easier for your baby to breathe.

Keep the allergens away:

Do not smoke or use scented candles in your baby’s vicinity. Ensure that you keep the pet dander down by vacuuming frequently.

It’s normal for babies and toddlers to suffer from a runny nose as their immune system is still in the developing phase. This makes your tiny tot more susceptible to viral infections. Here are some of the common causes of runny nose in babies and toddlers:

• A common cold can cause chest congestion, fever, cough, a runny nose, and sneezing.
• The flu can cause severe cold symptoms such as a runny nose, cough, and poor appetite.
• Any type of allergic reaction can cause watery eyes, a runny nose, itchy skin, or rashes on the body.

• Nasal discharge
• Difficulty sleeping
• Irritability
• Sneezing
• Coughing

Treating a runny nose in infants is different from treating adults for the same affliction. It is highly recommended that you do not try to treat runny nose in kids with powerful over-the-counter (OTC) medicines. Instead, you can opt for home remedies for treating runny nose in babies and toddlers. Here’s what you can do:

Increase the baby’s fluid intake:

Since your baby has a runny nose, the little one will start breathing through the mouth. So, consider increasing your baby’s intake of breast milk or formula milk. If your baby is more than six months old, you can give the little one water and other fluids as well.

Mustard oil massage:

This is an effective remedy for runny nose in babies. All you have to do is warm up some asafoetida, garlic, and carom seeds with mustard oil. Massage your baby’s back and chest with this oil and notice the improvement after a couple of massages.

Jaiphal (Nutmeg):

Adding Jaiphal(Nutmeg) to milk is a great way of relieving your child’s runny nose. Add a pinch of jaiphal(nutmeg) to a few spoons of milk and boil it. Bring it to room temperature before you administer it to your child. This gives instant relief from a runny nose.

Nasal congestion or a runny nose is quite common in babies and toddlers as their immune systems aren’t as strong as adults. With the right care and treatment, your baby will become the carefree child it used to be. However, if these conditions persist, consult with your pediatrician immediately.