Stuffy Noses

Hi J., I know how you're feeling. My son has lived with congestion since he was about 3 months old. We use Ocean Spray (saline) constantly and keep a humidifier in his room. When he was a newborn we'd place him in the bathroom with the steam. This really helped. He sees an ear, nose, throat doctor and we were told 'no suction' and to use just saline and then a few drops of baby oil in his ears to help loosen up the wax (it's all relative).
I know this doesn't sound proactive but it really does help.
Good Luck.

Definitely use puffs plus WITH LOTION. I am prone to getting sores on my nose when I have a cold if I blow my nose with anything else. They are the absolute softest and least abrasive facial tissue. At least at 2 he is able to breath through his mouth, at least during the day so you don't have to suction his nose. I wish I could give you more advice about stopping the runny nose but I'm at a loss too.

Hi J.,

When my daughter has a cold and is all stuffy, I take a very little amount of Baby Vicks vapor rub and rub that on her back. I rub it in the middle of her back so she cannot reach it and get it on her hands/in her mouth. I did ask the pediatrician who said that was fine but you may want to ask yours just to make sure. I know it helps my daughter and she feels so much better almost instantly.

S.

Some of these meds. can have opposite reactions. Like your situation a stuffy nose becoming super runny. Make sure first you ask a pharmacist like at Target if you have the right med. Once or twice I bought the wrong one. They seem so similar but the active ingredients are very different. But more so use a cool mist vaporizer. They are about $50 but my pediatrician stresses this one alot. Winter air is dry and adds the nasal congestion so adding back some moisture naturally can help with out meds. Plus good old Vicks!! There are kiddy versions that are not as potent and a cherry version by Mentholatum that has the active ingredient but my one kid likes it more.

Stuffy noses are tough especially with the cold medicine scare in the news recently. Have you identified the cause? Is it a cold or allergies? My son is almost 2 and when he's had a persistant cold and heavy congestion that didn't go away in several days we've used a humidifier at night and Vicks plug-in (think it says for babies or nursery but might not - but it's a plug-in that releases vicks vapors into the air). Also giving him lots of clear liquids (watered down apple or white grape juice, soups) and not as much milk since milk does something with mucus production. Also taking him into the bathroom with the shower running hot for a sort of steam bath to help break up the congestion. If it's a cold, then it's kind of a matter of just waiting it out til it goes away but those are things I've found helpful for tough ones. If it's been going on for a really long time and never seems to get better or go away maybe he's allergic to something? (dust, seasonal allergies, pets...?) In that case he should start to get better once the allergen is removed or he's more protected from it. And his pediatrician could recoommend something. Well, I hope this is at least somewhat helpful and good luck! I know it's so hard and draining when they're sick. :(

Hi J.,
My daughter who is now 14 had stuffy,runny noses all of the time. The doctor that I worked for use to say " Doesn't her nose ever stop running?" This went on until she was 12. When I switched to safer products like cleaning and laundry products, hair care products, etc. her symptoms dramatically improved. Have you ever considered safer products that don't have formaldehyde and other toxins that are irritants and unhealthy not only for your son but for your whole family to create better health? If you are interested in finding more about this, I loved to share it with you. It has made a major difference in my family.

A humidifier (I always use a warm mist) is really your best bet and frequently rub aquaphor on his poor raw nose. You can also take him to the bathroom with the shower running hot and let him breathe in the moist vapor. You buy both at the drug store. Always check with your pediatrician. Hope this helps.

A humidifier (hope i spelled that right) always works. You can also rub on vapor rub on him just before he goes to sleep that way it opens his nose and he will be able to breath a little bit better at night.

Hi J.,
I would rub some vaseline on his nose to prevent it from feeling so raw. Additionaly, turn on the shower (hot water) and let him stay in there with the door close - you with him and let that help with the stuffy ness but - after that, rub him down tonight with some children's vicks.

and keep his chest covered.

He will get over it soon, but the main thing is to help with the congestant.

N

Get a humidifier if you don't have one. My son gets terrible nosebleeds and a stuffy nose when the air is dry or he's sick. I did my research because those things can be expensive. They have these really cute ones at Bed Bath & Beyond for $34.99 (frog; pig; cat; etc) and it's so easy to maintain. Also, before cleaning his nose be sure to use the regular saline drops to moisten it up. Use Q-tips to clean the area. Also, check your nearest health food store and ask questions about what else can be done. I use saline drops for my son that contain ionic silver and it works wonders. I hope this helps you.

In addition to the advice everyone has given you, consider examining the role of dairy in his diet (and yours, if you're breastfeeding). Many children do chronically poorly from dairy in the diet at such a young age, and ear "infections" (eustachian tube difficulties), sinus congestion, throat irritation, and respiratory symptoms can all be related to dairy. Many moms have found that eliminating dairy clears these chronic symptoms up. It's worth considering (especially for folks who are being told that myringotomy tubes are in their kids' future!).

I hope this helps!

Hi J.,

I am a 42 yr old mom with a 2 and 4 yr olds. My boy is 2 diagnosed with autism and my daughter 4 is advanced and very quick. My daughter always has stuffy noses especially at night right before bed. I have given her Benedryl right before bed about a half hour and it helps her breath at night anf have a good night sleep. They say we can do the shower and steam but they get so aggitated and It doesn't work for HER as well. So I trust my pediatrician with their lives since we have had to go through so much from before birth, and went with his recommendation and so far to this day it has work. I don't give it to her every night of course. Being that it is getting cool out, dress him up a little in warm PJ's and let him get like 2 minutes of night air to open him up and 1/2 tsp of benedryl, or just the cool air and a warm milk bottle. Hope it waas helpful.

N. O.
Mahopac, NY

just recently they had done a voluntary recall on all infant/toddler otc meds, and they said that you shouldn't give anything otc to a child under age 2, but should still try to give something else even up to age 4 or 5...i can't quite remember. but they said that the saline drops are pretty good, the vapor rubs really work well (you can even use those vapor plug ins, but make sure they're completely across the room because they tend to be too strong for children right near the bed like you would use them for an adult). also, you can wipe his nose, but you'll be a little better off using one of those suckers (booger sucker things you used when he was a baby) they said that that really is the best way to remove the mucus and have them feeling a little better (plus, it doesn't leave their nose raw). hope it helps.

use vicks on his nose and make sure you keep blowing his nose. also rub on the chest. he could have be allergic to someone in the air. every spring and fall my daughter and I have problems with stuffy nose and we use the vicks and allergy medicine. Good luck. B. T