B.S. asks from Scranton, PA on August 05, 2008
Congestion and Runny Nose
I have a 9 month old. She is extremely congested with runny nose. She just got her 4 front teeth and looks like there is more coming in. Any suggestions to help her breath better and help sleep better at night? I've been doing the saline drops and suctioning out. Anything else I could be doing?
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M.D. answers from Philadelphia on August 08, 2008
Try to raise the head of the mattress. What I did was take a small wedge pillow and put it UNDER the sheet. Try the waterless vapor(I liked the Vicks personally)and put it next to the bed.
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C.H. answers from Allentown on August 05, 2008
give some motrin/ advil tylenol during the day, best not to let pain get too bad really dont' use it much, but i definetely call them the happy meds.
N.W. answers from Harrisburg on August 06, 2008
Try putting a humidifier in her room, as well as put her on an incline to sleep. The humidifier allows her body not to work as hard at keeping her nasal passages moist and the incline will help the congestion drain.
Finally, get a medicine syringe... mix 8oz water to 1/2tsp salt (homemade saline) and flush her nose with each diaper change with 1 tsp saline in each nostril. The homemade saline is cheap and awesom and seems to work better with a flush rather than just a few drops.
K.S. answers from Philadelphia on August 06, 2008
I have those pedia care nighttime plug ins that let off the menthol vapors and they work very well and they give off a cool nightlight which my sons loves also. I would try that if possible.
D.W. answers from Philadelphia on August 06, 2008
Try a humidifier. i would get a cool mist one. you could also buy one of the vaporizers that you plug in the wall. make sure to give her plenty of water. like adults water will help flush out the congestion. she may experience diarreha also with teething. i would also make sure to have a air purifier in the bedroom. if you have pets this will help get rid of irritants in the air. also make sure that you vacuum to keep the floor free of debris,pet hair and dust that may accumulate.
F.V. answers from Lancaster on August 05, 2008
R.B. answers from Pittsburgh on August 06, 2008
Check with your pediatrician first, because I don't recall the age restrictions, but I would suggest a little bit of baby vicks on the chest, neck, or back.
K.P. answers from Pittsburgh on August 06, 2008
I always keep the humidifier on as much as possible when my son gets sick, but I also stash a rolled up or folded up towel under one end of his crib mattress. It elevates that end of the mattress a little and so when your baby sleeps, their head is elevated a little more than the rest of their body. It seemed to help w/ the drainage during the night.
J.B. answers from Philadelphia on August 06, 2008
Put a pillow underneath her crib matress so her head is elevated. This always seems to help my daughter sleep better when she is congested.
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