Mild to moderate congestion is common in babies and should only last for a few days. If a caregiver is concerned about a baby’s ability to breathe or their baby is under 3 months old and has a fever, they should seek medical help as soon as possible.
When should I take my baby to the doctor for congestion?
Call the healthcare provider in these cases:
Fever of 100.4° F (38° C) or higher in baby younger than 3 months. Fever that lasts more than 24 hours in a child under age 2. Fever that lasts for 3 days in a child age 2 or older.
Is it normal for a newborn to sound congested?
This is so common there is actually a medical term for it, “nasal congestion of the newborn.” Babies have tiny little nasal passages and can sound very congested in the first few weeks of life. They are also “obligate nose breathers,” which means they only know how to breathe out of their mouths when they are crying.
Can newborns take anything for congestion?
One of the safest and most effective ways to help clear a baby’s congestion is with a saline (salt water) spray or nose drops. These products are available without a prescription. If you use drops, place two drops in each nostril to loosen the mucus inside.
What do doctors do for congested babies?
Try nasal saline drops.
Your baby’s doctor may recommend saline nasal drops to moisten nasal passages and loosen thick nasal mucus. Look for these OTC drops in your local pharmacy. Apply saline nasal drops, wait for a short period, and then use a suction bulb to draw mucus out of each nostril.
Does congestion increase risk SIDS?
Pulmonary congestion is present in 89% of SIDS cases (p < 0.001 compared with non-SIDS deaths), and pulmonary edema in 63% (p < 0.01).
What are RSV symptoms in babies?
What are the symptoms of RSV in a child?
- Runny nose.
- Fever.
- Cough.
- Short periods without breathing (apnea)
- Trouble eating, drinking, or swallowing.
- Wheezing.
- Flaring of the nostrils or straining of the chest or stomach while breathing.
- Breathing faster than usual, or trouble breathing.
How can I help my congested 2 week old baby?
What to Do For Your Baby’s Stuffy Nose
- Nose Drops and Suction. Squeeze one to two drops of saline nose drops in each nostril to help loosen any dried mucus and then use a rubber suction bulb. …
- Raise the Humidity. …
- Wipe It Away. …
- When to Call the Doctor.
Can babies suffocate from congestion?
A baby’s nose, unlike an adult’s, doesn’t have cartilage. So when that nose is pressed against an object, like a stuffed animal, couch cushions or even a parent’s arm while sleeping in bed, it can flatten easily. With the opening to its nostrils blocked, the baby can’t breathe and suffocates.
Why is my newborn congested?
Babies can get congested when they breathe in cigarette smoke, pollutants, viruses, and other irritants. Their bodies produce extra mucus in the nose and airways to trap and remove these irritants. Exposure to dry air and other weather conditions can also trigger excess mucus production and congestion.