Newborn with Bad Nasal Congestion

My 11 weeker has been the same way I just went back to the Dr's after 3 more weeks of it. He now has an ear infection. When we went before they said he was fine that it was just a cold.

Here's a little something that might help, but it takes some practice before you get good at it because babies can be so squirmy and you want to be quick... When you use the bulb aspirator, squeeze the bulb, cover the other nostril opening with a finger, and then insert the bulb to expel the mucus. You will find this creates a little vacuum that helps clear things out better. My girls tend to do the same thing when they are overwhelmed with mucus, but I'm happy to see them finding a way to breathe comfortably. It's never easy to see your child struggle - hang in!

I would make sure you are using the aspirator correctly. I learned the hard way. After you put the drops in, hold the opposite nostril. And don't be afraid to the end of the aspirator go inside the other nostril a little ways ( have your dr show you, I learned at the hospital when my five week old got rsv). And if you have the aspirator from the hospital, those work the best. Even the ones you buy in the store that look exactly the same, just don't work the same. My only other mention would be. Make sure you are paying attention to your childs breathing. Thst their chest is not sinking in and out dramatically. I cannot remember the other signs to look out for for rsv. Look it up and find out.

My daughter was like that too. Although her issue was that she had a hard time spitting it up at first so she wouldn't and then she would freak out becuase she didn't know what to do. It ended up that ours has acid reflux and keeping her elevated at night helped alot. We rolled up a towel and put it under her crib mattress at the top or let her sleep in her carseat or boppy pillow at that age. Good luck & congratulations, they are so much fun!

Congratulations!! No worries... my daughter had nasal congestion, runny nose and sneezing for the first 2.5 months of her life. The car seat is your best option for sleeping while elevated. Saline spray is also a life saver. I too had issues with the bulb but over time you will get better at it. Allergies are rare at this age so hang in there. Just when I thought my child was going to be forever congested, she cleared up overnight.

Hi K.,

Is your daughter formula-fed? If so, try a different formula. Best alternative would be to nurse if you are able.

Mucus is one of the body's defenses against foreign proteins. My guess is that she's reacting to something she's ingesting.

Good luck,
: ) Maureen

My son had this also at three weeks back in May. We were worried and took him to the doctor. He was also sneezing a bunch. It turned out to actually be his first cold! The doctor told us it is not possible for babies to have seasonal allergies before they are a year old or more, so it's probably not allergies. She recommended Little Noses saline mist and we gave him that 20 minutes before eating, then did the nasal aspirator just before feeding. Slept him in the car seat with the bundle me behind him to make him nice and cozy. Good luck!

Hi K., it's totally normal, I felt like my son was born with a cold, he was so congested for so long, it'll pass, there could be a million reasons for it, so I wouldn't worry about it, especially if the ped said she was ok!!
Take care!
Jen M.

Not much you can do about it at this age. Elevate her when she's sleeping so she doesn't get as much dripping down her throat maybe letting her sleep in her carseat, swing or a bouncey seat might help a little at least that way she isn't laying flat. I know we all are suffering from allergies right now in my home. If you suspect allergies maybe that little noses allergy stuff that goes on the nose might help its supossed to block allergens and its doesn't contain any medications.
Edited: Our youngest tested positive for seasonal pollens when he was tested for allergies before he turned one so its possible although most doctors will tell you a baby cant's have seasonal allergies but ours did.

My little was was the same way. At one point I was so worried that I took him to the ER. Just like the other readers have said, I was told it's very common especially if the baby was a C section as was the case with me.

From several different dr's though I've heard to go easy on the aspirator as they tend to do more harm than help as they are often not very effective and instead only irritate the nasal passage which makes it worse. 1 or 2 drops of saline alone.
Good luck.

It is allergy season and all 4 of us in our family are sniffling and have post nasal drip. For a little one there is very little in terms of drugs that will help her. When my daughter was too little for benadryl or decongestants I would put her car seat in the crib and let her sleep in that, in the reverse facing "lying down" position. If we put blocks under the head-legs of the crib, she would just slide down to the bottom! A cool mist humidifier might help too, or letting her sit in a bouncy chair in the bathroom while the hot shower runs before bed. I have even slept in a recliner with her on my chest since I felt so bad for her so I know what you are going through. Try the car seat in the crib. Good luck.