How To Help a Congested Newborn

If your newborn has a stuffy nose, you're probably wondering what you should do—and if you should be concerned. Rest assured that it's very common for babies to have nasal congestion from time to time, especially when they are newborns. In fact, typically, newborn congestion is nothing to worry about and can easily be treated with home remedies, as needed.

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 the 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, when to worry about a congested newborn, and when to call your health care provider.

What Causes Newborn Congestion

At birth, it's normal for babies to be congested because they typically get some amniotic fluid in their noses that can result in stuffiness for the first few days after birth. Newborn exposure to maternal hormones during pregnancy also cause newborn nasal congestion.

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 the 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. Just a tiny bit of snot can block a baby’s tiny nostril and make loud 'snorky' sounds," explains Dr. Stempel.

How To Prevent Congestion in Newborns

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 sprays
• Cigarette smoke
  
• Hair sprays
  
• Lint and dust
• Paint or gasoline fumes
• Perfumes or scented body lotions
• Pet 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. 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. Keep in mind that a virus that only causes a mild illness in an adult can result in a serious situation for an infant.

To prevent colds in babies, have plans in place when your baby meets new people. For example, make certain everyone washes their hands, is current on their vaccines, and is free of cold symptoms when being with your baby.

Considerations for Helping a Baby With Congestion

Some health care providers advise against treating your newborn's stuffy nose, especially if they're feeding well, urinating normally, and otherwise comfortable. 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 nasal suctioning. "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 Help Newborn with Congested Nose

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 help loosen your baby's mucus-filled 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.

While it may be tempting to vigorously remove snot from your baby’s nose, this can be problematic. Too much irritation from a suction tool (using bulb suction too often or using a powerful motorized suction tool) can cause swelling and irritation of your baby’s nostrils. This irritation can make breathing even more difficult.

Safety Precautions for Treating Newborn Congestion

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 6 years of age.

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. Additionally, using a rub may cause a rash.

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 Worry About Newborn Congestion

Be sure to see your health care provider right away if your newborn is younger than 3 months old and their congestion is making it difficult for them to breathe comfortably, nurse, or drink from a bottle, says Dr. Stempel. If the congestion is related to a cold, you should contact your health care provider right away. Colds in babies this young can potentially lead to dangerous problems like croup, bronchiolitis, or pneumonia.

For children older than 3 months, call for an appointment if their nasal congestion lasts longer than 10 to 14 days. You also should contact your health care provider if your baby has a fever over 102, is lethargic or cranky, if they are not drinking enough to stay hydrated, appears to have ear pain, or has a cough that won't go away after a week.

Regardless of your baby's age, get help right away either by going to the emergency room or calling 911 if your baby's congestion is making it difficult for them to breathe.

Signs that your baby is struggling to breath include:

• Fast breathing
• Lips or nails that are turning blue
• Nostrils that get larger with each breath
• Skin around the ribs sucking in with each breath
• Lethargy/decreased responsiveness