Nasal Congestion (Winter)

Nasal congestion is more bothersome in newborns, as they are actually nasal breathers from the early neonatal period to about 2 months of age or so. Here's how you can ease breathing problems due to blocked nasal passage.

Symptoms and Causes

Some typical symptoms to be on the lookout for include:

· Difficulty with feeding

· Crying or becoming agitated

· Nasal discharge

· Noisy nasal breathing

· Possibility of fever

· Greater comfort when sitting upright

· Snoring

· Snorting

· Sneezing

· Coughing

The causes for nasal congestion can vary. Viral infections such as cold are common among children, and infants are susceptible as well. Acid reflux is another cause. Sinusitis/adenoiditis is (secondary bacterial infection) is possible if the nasal discharge is discolored and has been present for more than two weeks straight. Allergies may be another culprit - especially if the child is over the age of 2.

How long congestion lasts depends on the cause. If it's a typical virus, the symptoms can last for three to seven days. However, because children are susceptible to viral infections, there may appear to be short intervals between sickness and wellness, as children may have as many as 10 to 12 viral/cold infections per year.

When should parents be concerned? If a newborn's breathing is labored with congestion, if it persists more than six weeks or if a baby under 3 months of age has fever associated with it.

Here are some practical tips on how to handle a young child's nasal congestion/secretions during a cold:

Make sure there is adequate humidity in the child's room.

1. Ensure that the child is drinking enough. The ill child will probably drink less per feed than usual, but will drink more frequently.

2. Try to help clear the secretions in the nose. Salt water drops are helpful but only if used properly. Put in the salt water drops, and a minute or two later use a nasal pump to help suck out and clear the secretions.

3. When sleeping prop the head of the bed up a little. This will keep the drainage from running back into the throat which will cause coughing and gagging.

4. If your child is not showing signs of dehydration or difficulty breathing, then it is unlikely that a trip to the doctor is going to result in anything other than picking up another illness, unnecessary and painful tests, or needless and potentially dangerous medications.

5. If despite these measures your child is having difficulty feeding or is having trouble breathing then a call to your doctor is warranted. It is also advised to call your doctor if the nasal congestion lasts longer than 7 days.

The important thing to remember is that most of the time, nasal congestion causes nothing more than a little aggravation for the baby as well as the parents. Make sure that the baby is not:

· Feverish

· Unable to sleep

· Having any respiratory distress (breathing fast with flaring of the nostrils or deep, rapid retractions of the chest muscles with breathing)

These are symptoms that require immediate attention by the physician.

Does one need medicines if the child has nasal congestion?

False, most kids with nasal congestion will either have a cold (virus) or allergies. A cold is when your child has a viral infection in the nose. The body quickly fights this infection off with its own defense system. The most important part of this defense is sending more blood to the nose, which causes swelling and congestion in the nose. This process is helpful and essential. Interfering with this protective process will just make it more difficult for your child to get well.