Is your baby dealing with a blocked nose? Are you looking for ways to unblock baby nose naturally at home? A blocked nose isn’t a serious condition but can make your child cranky and uncomfortable. It makes it difficult for them to feed and sleep properly. These Indian home remedies for blocked noses in babies and toddlers will help you to unplug the mucus.

What is a Blocked Nose?

A blocked nose is also commonly called a stuffy nose or nasal congestion. A blocked nose is a condition in which the movement of air in and out of the nose is obstructed. It is caused by an excess build-up of mucus in the nose which may be caused by allergies, flu, environmental irritants, or sinusitis.

Causes of Blocked Nose in Babies and Toddlers

A blocked nose in babies and toddlers can be caused by a variety of factors.

Narrow Nasal passage: Because a newborn’s nasal passages are so narrow, even a minute particle from the air or aspirated breast milk can induce congestion. 

Viral Infections: Viral infections, such as cough and colds, are also the most prevalent cause of nasal congestion.

Bacterial Infections: Bacterial infections may also induce congestion in some cases.

Allergies: Certain allergies can create a clogged nose. Heavy perfumes, room aromatherapy diffusers, fumes from household cleaning products, paint, or varnish, and smoke from cigarettes can irritate your baby’s nasal passages. Keep babies away from these products.

Season Change: Seasonal changes can also induce nasal congestion, especially during winters.

Sinusitis: Those who experience regular congestion episodes may have sinusitis or nasal deformities such as a deviated septum or nasal polyps.

Ways to Unblock Baby Nose Naturally at Home

As it is not always safe to give medicines to newborns and toddlers, simple home remedies can provide a lot of relief for a stuffy nose. Unlike antibiotics (which can have side effects) and over-the-counter treatments (which should not be given to infants), these home remedies are not only economical but also safe. Here are some of the natural ways to unblock baby nose naturally at home.

Keep Breastfeeding

If your baby is on breastfeed, continue breastfeeding your child even if he/she has a blocked nose. Breast milk contains essential nutrients and antibodies that help your baby’s immune system develop and strengthen. Your breast milk is extremely critical for your baby at this time.  A strong immune system will aid your infant in fighting off colds and coughs.

When a baby is sick, he or she may begin to refuse the breast as congestion can make it difficult for your infant to breathe clearly through their nose. Your infant may need to take a few breaths before returning to sucking at your breast due to nasal congestion. Allow him or her to move at their own pace and take regular breaks. Keep a check on his or her nappy output to ensure he or she isn’t dehydrated.

Also, keep your baby as upright as possible while breastfeeding. When sitting straight, congestion is easily eased.

If your baby is refusing to breastfeed, you can use a syringe, dropper, or cup to give him or her your breast milk to encourage maintain their oral intake.

Steam Inhalation

Steam is one of the best ways to unblock a baby nose naturally at home. One way of giving steam is through a hot shower. Allow the steam to build up in the bathroom by running a hot shower with the door closed. Turn off the shower and spend some time with your baby in the closed bathroom. He/she’ll inhale the steam around him naturally, which will help thin out the mucus.

The second way is to use a steam vaporizer. A steam vaporizer works well well for older toddlers and kids. It helps to get a concentrated inhalation of steam straight into their nostrils, which is more effective at thinning mucus. To make the treatment more effective, put a towel over the child’s head. Avoid using a bowl of hot water for steam inhalation with kids as it can be dangerous if it falls over.

Garlic-Ajwain Inhaler Potli

Garlic Ajwain potli is also an effective home remedy passed on by our grandmothers. Roast 2 large garlic cloves and a tablespoon of ajwain without oil for a minute or until the aroma rises. Put this in a muslin cloth and make a potli. You can make your child breathe from the potli or keep it near his/her pillow or inside the cot. His/her blocked nose will be relieved by inhaling the fumes from the pouch.

Do Body Massage with Garlic Oil

Massage also helps to relieve a blocked nose naturally at home. Give a light massage on the back and chest of your baby with warm garlic oil. Also apply the oil to the nasal bridge, forehead, and cheekbones. You can also dip two fingers in the garlic oil and put them on the baby’s nose, and instruct your youngster to take two to three sharp inhalations. Garlic is antibacterial by nature, and when crushed, it produces a medicinal component called allicin, which thins the mucus that clogs your nasal passages. It also lowers inflammation, which is a factor in congested airways.

To prepare garlic oil, heat half a cup of sesame oil or mustard oil. Then crush four-five bulbs of garlic and drop them in the oil. Let it sit in the oil for a minute and then strain it. Before it cools down completely, use it to massage the baby.

Give Lots of Fluids

Staying hydrated aids in the thinning of mucus clogging nasal passages and lowers sinus pressure. Make an effort to keep your child hydrated. When the body has enough water, the mucus it produces thins out, making blowing the nose easier. So, make your child drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. If your child refuses, try different drinks that are also nutritious like juice, smoothies, shikanji, sherbet, and soup.

Use Saline Nasal Solution

A saline nasal spray can also be used to unblock baby nose naturally at home. A saline solution is a salt and water solution. It is put in nostrils to flush away allergens, mucus, and other debris.

Make your child lay on his/her back. Apply one to two drops of the saline solution in each nostril. The saline solution helps in thinning the mucus. There are over-the-counter saline solutions available in the market. You can also make a saline solution at home too. Add 1/2 teaspoons salt to 8 teaspoons warm water and stir carefully with a sterilized spoon. Once the solution has cooled, place a few drops in your baby’s nostril.  For better relief, after applying the saline nasal solution suction the nose with a bulb syringe.

Place Humidifier in Baby’s Room

Use a humidifier if your home’s air is dry. Moist air prevents mucus from drying up in the nose and makes the airway less dry. A humidifier can help relieve congestion by moistening the air in the room, which helps to clear a stuffy nose. Keep the humidifier distant from the baby’s cot or just outside his room. To avoid the growth of mold and fungus, make sure to clean the humidifier on a regular basis. It’s best to avoid using it on humid days. Keep a bucket of warm water in her room while she sleeps if you don’t have a humidifier. Your baby’s stuffy nose will be relieved by the warm water.

Use Bulb Nasal Aspirator

You can also use a nasal bulb aspirator to squeeze out the excess mucus via the nose. First, squeeze the bulb aspirator. Now insert the tip gently into the baby’s nostril and slowly release the bulb, allowing the mucus to be sucked out. Clean the other nostril and repeat. After each use, wash and sterilize the aspirator with soap and water, and change the bulb once a month.

Elevate Baby’s Head

Elevating a baby’s head while sleeping is one of the best ways to unblock baby nose naturally at home. Congestion usually gets worse at night. One reason is that when a person is lying down, the sinuses cannot drain as easily. If they are congested and sleep with their mouths open, some children may feel thirsty at night. Elevating your baby’s head with a pillow allows mucus to flow out, allowing the nasal canal to open up.

Soup

Give warm soups to your baby. Soups are said to contain anti-inflammatory properties, which aid in the breakdown of mucus and the relief of all cold and flu symptoms.

Ginger Lemon Honey Tea

The medicinal benefits of ginger, lemon, and honey are well known, and a warm tea made with these components is the ideal cure for a congested nose and chest. Boil water with ginger. After straining it add lemon juice and honey to taste.

Warm Compress on Nose

Nose block can be eased naturally at home with a warm compress, especially if it is accompanied by sinusitis. Soak a soft washcloth in warm water, squeeze out the excess water, and put it across the nose and cheeks on the baby’s face. As soon as the fabric has cooled down, repeat the process. The heat from the compress will aid in loosening the mucus.

Natural Chest Rubs

Vapor rubs have a calming effect and help with congestion and breathing. Make a natural chest rub at home with a thick lotion and essential oils like lavender, chamomile, and eucalyptus and, rub a small quantity on baby’s chest.

When You should Visit a Paediatrician?

The majority of nose congestion in babies are mild and will go away in a few days. If home remedies aren’t working, your baby may require medical attention. Do not hesitate to visit the doctor in case of the below symptoms

• Cold doesn’t go away after three weeks
• Has body temperature along with stuffy nose
• Is having breathing issues, is breathing too hard or fast
• wheezing along with pale or blue skin.

Can You Prevent Nose Block in Babies and Toddlers?

Stuffy, runny noses are an unfortunate part of life for newborns and toddlers, and it isn’t much you can do about it. What you can do is helping in relieving the symptoms.

I hope you find this article on How to unblock baby nose naturally at home useful. Also, check our article on Home Remedies for Hand Foot and Mouth Disease