Stuffy Nose - Pawtucket,RI

What about baby saline spray for the nose? My son doesn't have much difficulty with stuffy nose but when he does, that is what I use. He is 4 1/2 mos. old.

I was also thinking that it may be a food allergy that could be exacerbating his asthma/ stuffiness. My 9 month old son gets horrible rashes if I eat wheat and I have known other parents whose children get stuffed up with different food exposures, either in formula or breast milk. Good luck!

saline drops directly in his nose. a dab of vicks rub under his nostrils (very little amount). put his mattress up (meaning put stuff under his mattress where his head would be). hope you get a solution

Ask your pediatrician if you can use saline spray. There is one you can purchase for little noses. The directions say to turn it upside down & put in as drops instead of spraying for infants.

I know a zillion people whose children have gotten relief from allergies (nasal, environmental, food) by using a particular balanced nutritional supplement. It's totally safe - preemies get it thru their feeding tubes even, and it's used world-wide to combat nutritional deficiencies in kids, particularly in 3rd world countries. It's made here in the US, and was created by a world-renowned food scientist who was on the team that developed Enfamil and ProSoBee formulas years ago, so it's trustworthy. It's used by millions, and also distributed to feeding stations through the company's charitable foundation. If there's even a slight nutritional imbalance that is causing your baby to react this way, this product should resolve things. You buy it on line through a distributor who will also give you great support and help you get the results you seek.

I have a son that was diagnosed with "cold-induced asthma when he was four"...I remember reading that eucalyptus is not to be used for asthmatic children.

One thought, have him eat plenty of raw carrots, chew into tiny pieces, it will loosen up the mucus system...and any other raw vegetable with beta-carotene. Also, the greens (spinach, collard, mustard and turnip greens) are anti-inflammatory and can help reduce inflammation. If you can, avoid dairy products, because they create more congestion and mucus. I hope this helps.

Hi Laura, So happy that your baby is doing better - that must have been frightening for you. Penumonia is so serious. I do have a couple of suggestions. Most of the laundry products on the market today contain dangerous toxins that affect our respiratory systems - they are most dangerous for infants and children because their systems are still tiny and less mature. I would strongly suggest using non-toxic laundry detergent, softener, laundry booster, etc. His little head and face are so close to the sheets, blankets and his own clothing, and he is breathing in these fumes. It can't hurt to try this for a month or two to see if it helps. Yes, I am a Shaklee distributor, which is why I have heard and read sooo many testimonials from Moms whose children have actually come off their inhalers and medications for asthma & allergies once the Mom switched to Shaklee's non-toxic laundry products and cleaning products. If you go to our government's web site at http://www.householdproducts.nlm.nih.gov/ingredients.htm and type in some of your current cleaning products and laundry products, you will be horrified to find out what's in them. Shaklee's non-toxic cleaning and laundry products are not only safer for us and for the environment, but they are actually cheaper to use because they are so concentrated - you use less so they last longer. If you would like more info on this, please don't hesitate to contact me ###-###-#### ____@____.com or browse my website at www.emilytaft.com You asked for ideas, and this is my idea for you to think about. Best Wishes to you and your precious little baby boy. Take care. E. Taft

I rely on the old-school Vicks HOT air humidifer for when my son or I get sick. I've tried the cool mist as well and feel that the hot air one does the trick better. Try that in the SAME room with him when he sleeps, or even get 2 to keep around the house to keep the moisture level up...it will help him breathe a little easier. I'd use the medicated pads sparingly, as they're rather strong for infants. I know Vicks has the liquid menthol you can pour into the cup on the hot air humidifier, that may be an option if you want to use some medicated-menthol for him..but again, use it sparingly.

Also, try propping his head up (or the crib mattress) when he sleeps. Just a slight elevation will help the mucus drain.

Good luck.

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If your house is dry (common in winter), run a humidifier all day. I have two-- one for the kids' room and one in the living area. Make sure they are squeaky clean and you change the water daily. I found that some of that vicks medicated stuff can actually make a cough or stuffy nose worse (can aggravate mucous membranes), especially with a baby, so try going without it and see what happens. saline drops and the bulb worked well for us, but you can also try a warm bath at night and that can get the boogies soft enough to squeeze out.

Is he on formula or breast-fed? It may be worth asking to have him tested for food allergies. Oftentimes an allergy to a certain formula or something in your breastmilk can come across with breathing issues. Also, if you have pets, you may want to consider having someone take them for a while. I was tested with cat/dog/feathers/dust allergies when I was five, but my mother noticed that, even as a baby, I would get cranky and stuffy whenever around pets.

(My almost-5-year-old son is named Lucas, too!)

For the stuffy nose, I sometimes wad a piece of tissue and slide it up the nostril and then kind of grab and pull it back out. The boogers seem to stick to the tissue pretty good.

As for the nebulizer. Just water in the med chamber will bring hims some relief too. My daughter has been on one since under a year as well.

Try this website for you meds: www.askapatient.com.