For any parent, having an ill child is stressful time. For the parent of an infant, even a sniffle can cause worry. Nasal congestion is a common occurrence in infants, and due to their size and lack of physical development, it is a condition in which parents and caregivers should intervene. Fortunately, it is an easy process, no matter which method you choose.
How do infants breathe?
Newborns typically breathe through their noses rather than their mouths. Due to the relative underdevelopment of the human infant as compared to most species, the infant’s mouth is not ideally designed for breathing for several months. Nasal breathing is far easier and remains the typical pattern in older children and adults. Should a small baby contract a cold or experience swelling, though, the lung’s primary source of air is severely constricted by the build up of mucus or constriction of the nostrils. Even a small amount can cause problems, simply because of the size of the child’s nose. Older humans can breathe through the mouth when necessary or blow their nose to clear it, but an infant’s only recourse is to sneeze. If the child is unable to expel the congestion, it is a good time for the caregiver to act.
Is a stuffy nose worth worrying about excessively?
A young baby will inevitably experience congestion, but this is a simple fact of human life. The infant’s immune system is very weak due to its lack of exposure to common germs, making him or her more susceptible. Though very young infants should see a doctor for even the common cold, this is not entirely necessary for those who are a bit older.
If the congestion appears to be an illness rather than swelling, watch for symptoms that do not reflect the common cold. If the child has a fever, abnormal mucus—whether actively discharged by sneezing or removed manually—or has changes in behavior such as vomiting, the child needs to see the doctor no matter what his/her age.
How can an infant’s nose be cleared?
Provided the congestion is not indicative of an illness more severe than a cold, several safe methods of removing low level congestion are available, and many are quite inexpensive.
- Saline drops: A saline solution can be made by dissolving a quarter teaspoon of additive free salt into a half cup of warm water—prepared freshly every day it is needed—or it can be purchased. To use, place a drop into each nostril while the infant lies on his/her back with the head elevated, then turn the child onto his/her stomach to drain the mucus, wiping it away with a clean towel. It is best to seek the advice of your child’s pediatrician before using these. Using more than a few drops can irrigate the nose entirely.
- Cool mist vaporizers: Utilizing a vaporizer can help to decrease any nasal swelling that is contributing to congestion, as well as to soften the mucus to help it drain. This piece of equipment can be extremely helpful in the winter, when the atmosphere is dryer and homes are artificially warmed with dry, recirculated air. The cool, moist air emitted by the vaporizer can help to solve both swelling and the mucus buildup.
-
"Nasal aspirator", by Jyotirmoy Bhattacharya
Nasal aspirator: A simple piece of equipment, a nasal aspirator functions in a very similar manner to an eye dropper. The air is squeezed out of a large bulb at the end, the open tip is inserted into the child’s nose, then the pressure on the bulb end is slowly released. The suction will draw the mucus to the nostril opening and it can then be wiped away before repeating if necessary, thus clearing the nose. By performing the action gently, the infant will be less likely to fuss due to the sensation, but stop and wait to begin again if necessary.To clean the aspirator, simply wipe the tip with a sterile cloth, rather than rinsing with water; there is no effective way to dry the inside completely, so retained moisture can promote the growth of mold. The water could also enter the child’s nasal passage the next time the aspirator is used.
Can stuffy noses be prevented?
An infant will eventually become congested, but the incidents can be minimized by maintaining an environment that will provide the common irritants. A house which is too warm and dry will
"Programmable Cool Mist Humidifier 4.0G", by Graco Children's Products
encourage swelling, so set the thermostat a few degrees lower and employ a humidifier in the child’s bedroom. As fans—particularly ceiling ones—can collect dust and will inevitably move around any that is present in the room, try to avoid running one near your child. As one of the functions of mucus is to quarantine such irritants in the nose, this will lessen the need for the child’s body to produce it.
Once you know the basic remedies for clearing a young baby’s nose, you will have a solution for when you hear the sneezing of an attempted nose clearing. Keep what you need close at hand and consider changing a few environmental factors to prevent the situation as much as possible, and you will be on your way helping your infant breathe well.
No related posts.
Comments on this entry are closed.