What Is the Best Sleeping Position for Babies With a Stuffy Nose?

As a parent, you want nothing more than to ensure your baby is comfortable and safe while they sleep. Sometimes it takes some time, but after a while, you are a well-played-in team in getting your junior to sleep at night and then the first cold hits, and everything is different. Your baby is whiney and fussy and when it is finally asleep it doesn’t take long and you are needed again. Sounds familiar?

The best sleeping position for a baby with a stuffy nose is an elevated upper body. In this position, gravity helps to get rid of mucus and swelling of the mucous membranes decreases. If your child is too little for pillows, put something under the crib mattress to elevate their head-part without safety risk.

We’ll go through the best sleeping position for babies with a nasal congestion and provide you with tips for relieving nasal congestion.

How Do I Know If My Baby Can’t Breathe Through Their Nose?

If your baby is having difficulty breathing through their nose, they may breathe faster or more shallowly, and make an unusual noise when breathing. They may also be fussier or have difficulty sleeping. If you suspect your baby is having difficulty breathing, it’s best to consult a pediatrician.

Why is the Congestion Worse at Night?

Babies like us adults often suffer most at night, when they have a stuffy nose.  Congestion is often worse at night because they are lying down and gravity is working against them. 

This can make it more difficult for mucus to drain, leading to a nasal congestion and even breathing difficulties. 

Additionally, they may drink less overnight than during the day, which makes the mucus more solid. Breathing through the mouth also leads to further water loss and a dry mouth.

So keep your baby hydrated because it makes the mucus more fluid.

Relieving Nasal Congestion in Babies

Next to keeping your baby hydrated, there are many more things that can help you and your little one to get through those times with as little drama as possible. Babies can experience congestion for several reasons, including a cold, flu, or allergies. To help relieve a baby’s stuffy nose, try the following suggestions.

Best Sleeping Position for Baby with Stuffy Nose

Try Elevating their head and upper body with an extra pillow or two to help your congested baby sleep. If your child is too small for pillows you can elevate the whole mattress on one side by placing pillows under the baby’s mattress. This helps your baby sleep in an inclined or upright position without any risk. A sleeping posture with elevation of the upper body reduces congestion and makes it easier for them to breathe and thereby to fall asleep.

It’s not recommended to let a baby sleep on a pillow, because it can obstruct a baby’s airway and increase the risk of suffocation. 

Use a cool mist humidifier or bathroom steam

Use a humidifier in the baby’s room to add moisture to dry air and help relieve the baby’s congestion. If you don’t have a humidifier, take your baby into the bathroom while you run a hot shower. A steamy bathroom will also help relieve a nasal congestion. You can also give your little one a warm bath before bedtime to help the congestion drain and alleviate symptoms to make it easier to fall asleep. 

Use Saltwater Nasal Spray or Drops to Get Rid of Excess Mucus

Saline drops can help loosen any mucus and make it easier to suction out. Saline drops are a great alternative to regular medicated nose drops or a good way to help you not go over the recommended dosage per day of the medicated ones, as you can use them in turns. It is important to follow those recommendations especially if your child needs them over a longer period as the tissue can get attuned to it, and the effectiveness lessens.

How Do You Clear Mucus from a Baby?

To clear mucus from a baby, try using a bulb syringe to gently suction out any excess mucus from their nose. You can also use saline nose drops to help loosen any mucus and make it easier to suction out. It’s best to suction your congested baby as often as needed to relieve them and let them rest easy. But don’t overdo it. The suction can irritate the nose and your baby and a crying baby is not helpful. So try to find a balanced way for you and your child.

Should I Suction My Baby’s Nose While Sleeping?

It’s not recommended to suction the nose while babies sleep, as it can be uncomfortable and interrupt their sleep.

You can try it, if your baby is a really sound sleeper, but for most babies, it is not a good idea. Let your little one sleep, as your baby needs the sleep to overcome the common cold or whatever it is that is testing their immune system.

Instead, suctioning their nose before bedtime and during awake times will help your congested baby sleep better and a clear nose helps to prevent an ear infection .

How Do You Get Snot Out of a Baby’s Nose Without a Syringe?

You can get the snot out of your little one’s nose without a syringe by using saline spray or drops, a nasal aspirator and suction device, simply by using your suction or by gently pressing on one nostril while closing the other and quickly releasing. You can also use a tissue to gently wipe any visible mucus from a runny nose.

Will a Baby Breathe through Their Mouth if Their Nose is Blocked?

Yes, if the nose is blocked, they may breathe through their mouth instead. This can be particularly uncomfortable for the baby, especially during sleep. Breathing through the mouth gives you a dry mouth and makes you lose more fluid than breathing through the nose, so keep your baby sufficiently hydrated.

Does Breastmilk Help with a Stuffy Nose?

Breastmilk can help with a stuffy nose, as it contains antibodies and immune-boosting properties that can help protect your baby from common colds and the like. Additionally, breastmilk has a moisturizing effect on the nasal passages, which can help relieve congestion.

Another Reason for Runny Noses and Congestion Symptoms

For babies frequently showing congestion symptoms allergies should be taking into consideration. Especially if you or your partner have allergies in your medical history.

In addition, there are some factors that increase the risk of allergies, such as exposure to smoke, excessive hygiene, and a western diet. It is therefore not surprising that allergies are becoming more and more common.

The most common triggers of allergies include dust mites, pollen, foods (especially nuts and seafood), insect bites, and pet dander.

So if your baby often has a crusty nose it doesn’t have to be the next viral infection.

When Should I Worry About My Baby’s Nasal Congestion?

If the congestion is accompanied by other symptoms such as high fever, wheezing, or difficulty breathing or feeding you should contact your doctor immediately. 

That is also the case if your baby’s congestion persists or worsens or you have the feeling that something is wrong. You know your baby best if something doesn’t feel right: Trust your instincts.

Some Common Signs of Breathing Difficulties in Babies

Babies can’t adjust their breathing like us grown ups, their respiratory musculature tires easier and because of their small airways respiratory infections for them can be more serious than for us. But how to recognize their breathing troubles? Here are some signs that should sound your alarm bells:

• rapid breathing
• a blueish coloring of their hand, feet or around the mouth/ lips (cyanosis)
• flaring of the baby’s nostrils while breathing
• retractions between their ribs and or collarbones while breathing
• babies that can’t breath right are silent, they have no excess air to cry

All of those signs mean that your baby needs medical help asap, so depending on where you are this means the next emergency room or calling an ambulance.

Summary

In conclusion, a nasal congestion can be a common and uncomfortable problem for babies, especially at night. Fortunately most of the time they are more unpleasant than a real danger to your baby, but it is good to know how to recognize the signs of breathing difficulty.

Through sleepless nights it may help to know what a anethesiologist once said to me: a crying baby is always a good sign, it means they can breath!”

However, there are many ways to help your baby and make it easier for them to breathe.

Keeping your baby upright, hydrated and the nose as free as possible will go a long way to avoid sleepless nights.

Creating a baby sauna by steaming up the bathroom, giving your baby a warm bath and keeping saline drops handy will help your baby sleeping peacefully.

If your baby’s cold symptoms persist or worsen, it’s best to consult a pediatrician for a proper diagnosis and treatment.