Sniff, sniff, sniff. Baby cooing is a common but frightening sound in the homes of many new parents. Hearing those sounds from your baby can raise concerns about your baby’s health – is my congested baby sick? Is this serious? And you may also feel some practical concerns: how will nasal and chest congestion affect my baby’s ability to sleep, and will it cause delays in breastfeeding or bottle feeding?
The good news is that most of the airway congestion you hear from your newborn is normal. Newborn congestion is common, so common, in fact, that the medical establishment defines it as “normal newborn congestion.” It’s a simple development: newborns have tiny, tiny nasal passages, and can’t yet breathe through their mouths (except when they cry). Congestion can also occur due to the normal amount of reflux that most babies experience.
While an occasional stuffy nose or sneezing isn’t a problem, frequent or severe congestion may be an indicator of an issue that needs the attention of a medical provider. More than normal baby reflux, persistent nasal or chest congestion may be associated with the medical condition GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease). And, obviously, viruses and infections can be blamed for a stuffy nose and congestion in the baby.
If you see any of these warning signs when your baby is colicky, it’s time to contact your care provider for potential testing and important advice:
-
Baby coughs
-
Your baby sneezes a lot
-
Your baby may eat less than usual
-
Your baby seems sleepier than usual or lethargic
-
Have a fever higher than 100.4°F (38°C)
-
A breathing rate of more than 60 breaths per minute (count the whole minute, because a baby breathes irregularly)
-
A blue color that never goes away
-
Pausing longer than about ten seconds between breaths
-
Retraction (ribs pull in with each breath)
-
Wheezing, grunting, or whistling sounds while breathing
If your baby has mild congestion, there are some relatively simple things you can do:
Hold your baby upright to help your baby breathe easily
Helping your baby spend time upright in your arms or in a baby carrier can relieve stuffy breathing, as well as comfort a fussy baby. Carrier naps can help relieve congestion and make your baby sleep better and can clear excess mucus from their nose when they are struggling with nasal congestion.
