Congestion Relief Remedies for a 5 Month Old?

My baby had a similar problems at around 6 months.

Besides what you are already doing, when she sleeps on her back you need to put a little wedge or pillow (not soft, those are not recommended at this age), maybe a blanket folded several times and put under she sheet where she puts her head. Basically you are trying to get the baby's head to be slightly elevated so that the congestion does not get stuck, especially because it can cause ear infection.

Also, and this is really funny to say, but when my baby had that, I went grocery shopping one day and my husband was home with her. When I came back he said "The poor thing could not breath and I did not find the little pump to take off her snot, so I suck the snot out of her nose with my mouth, then spit it out."

It's funny and a little weird, and I do not know if I could do it, but after my husband' trick my baby got better as he basically blew her nose and she could breath:) Sometimes husbands do good things too!!

my 1 year old has the same problem right now, and her Dr told me that Vicks (or there is a Little Colds vapor rub that is a little less harsh, for younger babies such as yours) a humidifier, and saline nose drops is all you can do. Good luck, I know the next week or so will be hard, but hopefuly your baby will get a little better!

I haven't read through the responses so far, so this might have already been addressed, but ....

I am a mommy to 3 terrific, but often ill boys. I take them in the shower before bed. It's one of the best ways to get the mucus to drain from their noses. Let them stay in as long as they want. The steam helps to break up the congestion in their airways as well. It really does help!

When out of the shower, use a "sucker" to get as much mucus from her nose as she will tolerate. If she's really stuffy, this can seem like a never-ending job, so just do as much as she'll tolerate.

The draining of mucus into their tummies is what makes them throw up more. It will pass, and while it does seem like they are throwing up all of their meal, they're really not. Most of what you see will be gooey, right? That's snot. Yuck! Poor babies!

Good luck and remember ... don't fall into the temptation of cold medicine! You want her to get the mucus out! Whether it's by coughing, sneezing or throwing up, it's better to get it out than stop her bodies natural way of healing itself.

Warmly,
R.

I have a 4 month old with the same problem. We use a humidifier and we use a saline spray "Ocean" (which can also be administered as drops - I prefer this way) prior to using the aspirator. Wait at least a minute before trying to suck out the snot. She cries and gives me the worst look, but forgets about it as soon as she's able to nurse. The saline drops/spray works well on adults, too.
I hope your daughter feels better soon!

I have 3 kids 21,16, 8...Its been a while but i still use steam...Go in the bathroom and turn on the shower as hot as you can get it, and sit breath the steam. not in the stall,,sit on the toilet. when they get older , I rub them down with Vicks vapor rub..Old fashion,,yes,..But it works, I never have given them over the counter cough med.. Hope that helps

Hi J.,

When my twins were little, we had the best pediatrician, and he presribed a nebulizer which is an asthma treatment system and the saline solution which is basically salt water and we would give them a treatment a couple of times a day. This breaks up all the congestion and helps them get over colds and coughs much faster and easier. We didn't use any actual asthma medicine, just the saline and since the doctor prescribed it our insurance paid for it!

Or if you are very close to the ocean, bundle her up and sit out breathing in the salt water air.....

Good Luck,
K.

Jenn,

Get a humidifier for the room, it was settle the air and help to clear the congestion. Milk at times can be harsh on an infant especially when they're congested.

we went through this with one of our twin girls at 5 mos also. pediatrician recommended using the aspirator a couple times a day to suck out the loose stuff, use a cool mist humidifier & propping up the crib mattress on head end (the elevated crib mattress didn't work for us, our daughter rolls over & turns 180 degrees plus still shares a crib with her sister). If the congestion was bad enough to impact her eating (we are nursing), she said to use the infant saline nose drops. She did warn us that overuse could actually cause more congestion. She didn't tell us how much would be labelled "overuse".

hello. im dont know if you have heard this or not...turn th bathroom shower on and steam the room and then take her into the room with you for about 10 min or so ....that should help clear her lungs- open everything up

Hi, I hope your little one is gettting better. I use Elderberry Syrup and Honey Cough syrup, found at whole foods stores, whenever my little ones get sick - it doesn't take away the conjestion, but it does help it move through the body faster.

Why won't you buy OTC remedies? When my youngest was 4 mos old he got a bad bad cold, couldnt sleep, couldnt barely breath he was so congested..and his cough! I'll never forget it. The doc prescribed a med for him and it made him soo much better and now its the same thing as the OTC Delsym cough medicine... obviously you could only give her about 2 ml but still...poor thing is miserable and it would make her feel so much better...

Anyway if you're afraid of OTC meds then try this...its weird but trust me IT WORKS! Put the Vicks on the bottom of her feet, then put socks on her.... I know, weird.. but it does work. She'll stop coughing... And you can prop one end of her crib up to help elevate her head so she breaths easier... I used to put a few romance novels inder the legs of the crib...lol

Me...SAHM to four boys 12, 10, 7 & 6