Newborn Congestion

it seems like DS is pretty congested lately...in the past week or so we have noticed it although he can breath out of his nose. You can just hear the congestion. I use the cool mist humidifier and saline spray up the nose but is there anything else I can do for him?

When does it become a concern?

Re: Newborn Congestion

Elevate his head.
Steam shower works to loosen it up too.
(my dr actually told me LI is moist enough and there is no need for the humidifier..he said that I was keeping DS stuffy by using it. That night we didn't use it.. the next morning...his nose finally started to drip instead of stay stuff.) but i know it's not popular not to use them..just wanted to let you know what worked for us!

Re: Newborn Congestion

Yes, Tyler was constantly congested the first few months. Not only did I do steam showers a few times a day but I would actually bring him into the hot shower with me. It really broke up the mucus. I did this before he would go to sleep at night.

Also, like a PP said, elevate his head. I have a wedge that goes underneath the sheet above the mattress. If you want to borrow it you can. We used it for three weeks or so and now it's just sitting in his closet. I can drop it off if you want! I found that it really helped!

ETA: It only fits in a crib though, is Gregory in the crib yet?

Message edited 4/30/2010 8:51:52 AM.

Re: Newborn Congestion

DD is always congested too. I use the saline drops and a humidifier but I feel like the humidifier doesn't help and since I've added it- she sounds worse. I also use a crib wedge.

Re: Newborn Congestion

Thanks everyone...DS sleeps on his belly so I am afraid to put a wedge under him although I will try to put it under the mattress...I remember rolling a receiving blanket and putting it under DS1's feet to keep him in place so I'll try that this time too.

I hate this congestion!

Re: Newborn Congestion

Posted by Linda1003

Elevate his head.
Steam shower works to loosen it up too.
(my dr actually told me LI is moist enough and there is no need for the humidifier..he said that I was keeping DS stuffy by using it. That night we didn't use it.. the next morning...his nose finally started to drip instead of stay stuff.) but i know it's not popular not to use them..just wanted to let you know what worked for us!

Re: Newborn Congestion

omg my lo has this too i thought that it was a cold but there isnt anything coming from her nose. I will have to try these things thanks ladies

Re: Newborn Congestion

Here are some things to look for that would prompt me to call the ped:

If he is having trouble eating. If he is so congested that he is not able to eat properly.

If he is working too hard to breathe. Take off his shirt and look at his chest when he is breathing. If the skin under his armpits, where his ribs are, is pulling in at all when he is breathing, that means he is working too hard.

DD had RSV with bronchiolitus when she was 2 weeks old. It started as a cold that Lucas was kind enough to bring home to her from daycare! The ped told me it would either just be a cold that would run it's course, or it would get worse. For DD it got worse.

I would use the saline drops and suction before you feed him. (not after because it can cause them to spit up)

You can also count the number of times he's breathing per minute. The ped told me they should breathe 35-50 times per minute. DD was breathing 80 times per minute when she was sick.

Hope he feels better!

Re: Newborn Congestion

The girls had this too bad. I used the saline drops before every diaper change /feeding and then the bulb. I felt like I was using that thing 100x's a day at one point, but its the best thing for them. If it was really bad we let them sleep in the swing b/c its more elevated...and did the steam showers 1-2x a day as well.

Re: Newborn Congestion

DS has been lately too - we do the saline and humidifier and use a wedge. The dr. said its a concern if it interferes with his eating. Hope your DS feels better soon!

Re: Newborn Congestion

I use saline and then the Graco electric booger picker- I let it hit the walls of the nostrils to get some real vacuum action going and it sucks from deep- I asked the ped if that was okay to do, lol, and he said yes.

But yes do it before feeding b/c ds did spit up from it a few times when he was really blocked so I had to do it even though he has eaten like a half hour earlier.