Although your baby can’t talk yet, she’s always been very vocal. She loves to squeal, giggle and generally converse and respond in any way that she can! However, in recent weeks you’ve noticed she’s been a lot quieter. She’s always sniffling and sneezing and seems consistently uncomfortable.

Lots of babies become congested from time to time. And whilst this is very common, it doesn’t mean that it’s easy seeing your tiny tot feeling uneasy and finding breathing a little more difficult. So, we thought we would talk about some ways you can help to ease your baby’s congestion and help them return to breathing more comfortably.

First of all, let’s talk about when you should be concerned about your baby’s congestion.

When should I be concerned about my baby’s congestion?

Newborns and infants have very small nasal passages, and they mainly breathe through their noses. This means that even the tiniest amount of mucus can make a loud noise, so it’s important to know that just because their breathing is making loud noises, it does not necessarily mean that they are finding breathing difficult. However, if the noise is interfering with your baby’s eating or sleeping, then you may want to speak to your paediatrician about possible congestion.

Now that we know when you should be concerned about your baby’s congestion, let’s talk about what you can do to make them more comfortable when they do have it:

How can I help my baby’s congestion?

Feed your baby in an upright position.

Slightly elevate the head of their crib or bassinet.

Run a cool-mist humidifier in the bedroom. This should be run while your baby is sleeping, as this keeps the skin inside of their nose moist. However, always remember to clean the humidifier once a week, as germs can easily collect there and spread through the air.

Place a drop of nasal saline in each nostril. Simply placing a drop of nasal saline in each of your baby’s nostrils can be very helpful for congestion. Be mindful that your baby may cough as the saline drips down from their nose, but this is OK. Next, gently suction out the mucus in their nose with a nasal aspirator or a bulb syringe. If you’re finding this a difficult task to manage on your own, ask the help of a friend or family member. Always try suctioning when your baby is in an upright position, as gravity lends itself to helping the mucus drain from your baby’s nose.

Give your baby some tummy time. Once you have placed the saline solution in your baby’s nose, giving them some tummy time can be very helpful! Your baby’s movement during this activity will help the mucus in their nose naturally drain out on its own.

How do I recognise the signs of true trouble breathing?

Although congestion is uncomfortable, it’s not a serious or life-threatening condition. However, it’s important to recognise the signs of true troubled breathing, which can be life-threatening.

A newborn should breathe 30 - 60 times a minute (1 breath for every 1 to 2 seconds). This is a lot faster than an older child or adult’s breathing.

If you notice your baby is taking more than 1 breath per second, it might be time to call your paediatrician for advice.

Here are some questions to ask yourself when it comes to troubled breathing:

Can you hear wheezing or other noises with each breath?

Is your baby coughing?

Is your baby’s nose flaring with each breath?

Does your baby’s skin look blue?

Can you see your baby’s tummy or the space between their ribs moving in and out as they breathe?

If you have answered “yes” to any of these questions, call your doctor right away.

How can I help my baby's congestion?

From Unii’s Baby Health Journey, we look at how to help your baby’s congestion.