Every mother or a baby caretaker must have been through a phase of baby chest congestion. Why so?
After birth, it takes time for the babies to fully develop their immunity and is thus vulnerable to common cold & congestion. The passive immunity passed on to the newborn babies too doesn’t last long. The biological systems of babies are very different from us adults.
It is advised to avoid Over-The-Counter medications for babies. Medications such as decongestants, cough suppressants, expectorants and antihistamines used to treat cold and cough must not be used to treat baby chest congestion. So in such cases what can one do to clear the baby chest congestion?
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There are several reasons for Baby chest congestion, cough, phlegm, cold and nasal congestions.
Newborn babies have narrow nasal passages. Even tiny dust particles from the air or breast milk can result in congestion. The most common causes of baby chest congestion are viral Infections and bacterial infections. Allergies can also be considered as a cause. Seasonal changes, especially during winter also result in a baby cough.
The symptoms of baby nasal congestion, baby chest congestion, cough and cold in babies should be noticed by mothers and caregivers to make sure that they treat it in time.
The baby will have difficulty in breathing. Their breath might get a little noisier, and you can hear a wheezing sound while breathing. The baby might have difficulty eating and swallowing. A stuffy nose and coughing can also be noticed. The child might also start snoring while sleeping. In some cases, the child also might have a mild fever. These all are signs of baby chest congestion.
The main aim of using home remedies is to help manage the symptoms of baby chest congestion and wait for the body to cure itself. Home remedies provide care and comfort to the baby, without aggravating the condition.
Home remedies are the best alternative to allopathic medications available in the market, especially to cure baby cough and chest congestion. Here are 14 selected home remedies to help you treat your Baby chest congestion and cold.
This doesn’t help with baby chest congestion but reduces its effects. Saline drops for infants are available at medical shops. You can also make it at home to clear baby’s blocked nose.
Heat 8 teaspoons of distilled water and add ½ teaspoon of pure table salt with a sterilized spoon. Cool the solution, and add a few drops carefully into your baby’s nostrils. It thins the mucus in the nose and makes it easier to clean mucus.
Dry air can be another reason for worsening baby chest congestion. Keeping a humidifier in the baby’s room can help moisten the air, and relieve nose blockages. If you don’t have a humidifier, you can also keep a bucket of hot water in the room at night to keep the air from drying.
Another effective way for baby chest congestion relief is warm oil massage. This is also a good home remedy for cough with phlegm.
Take 1/4th cup of mustard oil, add 2-3 cloves of crushed garlic, and one teaspoon of methi seeds in it. Keep this bowl in a warm water pot for 10 minutes. Let it completely cool down. Once it cools down, you can massage this oil gently over the nasal bridge, forehead, cheekbones, chest, back, and throat. Massage it softly with gentle hand movements.
Turmeric is a wonder spice that has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. It helps boost immunity and is very helpful in curing for baby chest congestion. Bring water to boil in a vessel. Add a small piece of turmeric, or you can also add a teaspoon of turmeric powder.
You can also use a steamer instead of boiling water separately. Keep this turmeric water at a little distance from your baby, near enough to inhale the steam. This will help release the baby’s cough and chest congestion.
Chicken has anti-inflammatory properties. It also helps boost immunity. It fights infections and helps to clear baby chest congestion. Soup reduces congestion in the chest and cold. Feed your baby chicken soup that’s not very warm. But do not totally cool it. Another alternative is Clear Vegetable Soup.
A warm compress and a warm bath help relieve nasal congestions and baby chest congestion. Soak a baby washcloth in warm water. Squeeze out excess water.
Keep this on the baby’s chest, back, across the nose, and cheeks. Dip the washcloth again in warm water and repeat the process once it cools down. This will help loosen up stuck up mucus.
Diluted essential oils work as a wonderful home remedy for baby cough and chest congestion. It also clears baby stuffy nose at night.
Oils like Eucalyptus, Rosemary, Lemon, Ginger, Peppermint, Cedarwood, Citronella, and Frankincense are great options to be added in a diffuser to chest cold remedies.
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When the baby has a cold, the baby easily gets dehydrated. Make sure your baby sips water continuously. You can also opt for ORS solutions or warm fruit juice to keep your baby hydrated when suffering from baby chest congestion.
Another remedy is to give Ayurvedic Kadha to the infants above the age of 6 months. Bring two cups of water to boil. Add a few tulsi leaves, small pieces of crushed ginger, a stick of Mulethi, ½ teaspoon of Yastimadhu and simmer for two minutes. Turn off heat and cover for 10 minutes.
Let it partially cool down, strain it and give it to your child to sip. Don’t give it more than two times a day. You can store this Kadha in the fridge for two days. Heat it lightly before giving it to your child to cure baby chest congestion.
Take one small bowl of Ajwain seeds and two garlic cloves. Roast them in a pan by continuously stirring it for a minute or so. After it becomes slightly brown, and releases a strong aroma, turn off the heat. Transfer it instantly into a clean cotton cloth piece. Tightly wrap it up into a potli, and add another cotton cloth as another covering.
Keep this near the baby to inhale the fumes. This will instantly cure baby nasal congestion After the heat has reduced, making it safe for the baby, test on the inside of your wrist. Compress the chest and back of the baby with this slightly warm potli.
This traditional method helps to relieve baby chest congestion by clearing up the mucus in the chest. It is one of the best chest cold remedies.
South Asian Cultures swear on Barley Tea. Roasted Barley tea is a great source of phytonutrients, contains eight essential amino acids, is rich in vitamins, fibers & minerals. It also has antioxidant properties.
Barley Tea helps with baby chest congestion, cold, and fever too. It cleanses the body’s systems. To make Barley tea, put two tablespoons of roasted barley in 2 cups of boiling water. Simmer for 5 minutes. Serve to your baby in a sipper after cooling it completely.
(NOTE: Barley Tea contains gluten. Do not feed if your child has a Gluten allergy. This tea is recommended only for babies above 6 months of age)
Massaging on specific pressure points can relieve a baby stuffy nose. Acupressure is one of the most effective remedies for baby nasal congestion. Very Light and gentle pressure must be applied for a few seconds on each pressure point, and the session should not be more than 10-15 minutes.
The eight most effective pressure points are the base of the nostril; the top of inner eyebrows; the above cheekbone under eye socket; outer side of eye socket; inner side of eye socket; the center of collar bone; left and right below the collarbone, next to the breast bone.
Gently tapping on the baby’s back helps loosen the baby chest congestion. Lay your child across your knee or make him sit on your lap with his body slightly leaning forward. Cup your hands and gently pat his back. This will loosen up the mucus in the chest, and make it easier for your child to cough it up. This is one of the easiest chesty cough remedies.
Taking rest offers time for the body to activate its own defense mechanism to heal itself of the baby chest congestion and cold. Let them sleep as much as possible, or let them quiet play.
Let them sit in a comfortable area, with lots of cushions and pillows around so that they can snuggle. Read them stories, let them do some coloring, watch a movie, or just play with them. This will help cure baby chest congestion.
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Chest Congestions and cold are common in babies. This is generally harmless. But can turn uncomfortable for the baby. It will cause a stuffy nose at night, give the baby a stuffy head, and make it hard for the baby to breath and eat. It may also result in a cough with phlegm. Babies are incapable of blowing their own nose, so it may result in nasal congestion.
Hope these home remedies for baby chest congestion will help you. Please share with us your best home remedies for baby chest congestion.
Happy and Healthy Parenting!
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