has anyone any advice on relieving a snuffly congested six week old baby ??

Answer 1

Yes, sounds gross but is the best thing in the world -- give her a warm bath for soothing, and humidity; get some saline mist for babies from the pharmacy; spray it in her nose (or drip it in, follow directions on the bottle) and let it sit for about a minute or two (babies dont like any of this); then take a bulb syringe and suck the "stuff" out of her nose. The saline makes the mucous more liquid and easier to remove. Since they cannot blow their noses, you have to suck it out....gross but welcome to motherhood.

Be sure to never place the bulb syringe any further than an 1/8 of an inch in the nostrils about this far -- press the end of the bulb as much as possible to create the most suction and keep plenty of klenex available. Also, boil the syringe after each use as she may have an infection you don't want spreading (reinfection by a dirty bulb syringe).

Also, use a humidifier in her bedroom at all times and prop the babay's head up so the drainage goes with gravity into her throat and down into her tummy. Pillows under head under the mattress in her crib are the only way to go -- never put pillows, blankets, or stuffed animals in the bed with a baby this young!

Best of luck and feel free to e-mail me and I'll clarify anything

Answer 2

It's totally normal. She's only 6 weeks! Are you feeding her at night? Because newborns need to be fed around the clock, so she could be hungry. But the big things are that: 1) you should *not* let her cry it out. She's too young. Babies at this age don't cry yet because they don't want to go to sleep and the like. They *only* cry when they need something, most often food. Six weeks is the time of a huge growth spurt, so she may need more food at night. 2) When you are up with her, keep the lights low and keep it quiet. She needs to learn that night is quiet time, so don't read to her, play with her, etc. Keep it calm and quiet. 3) It may be awhile before this gets better. Not only because she's so young but because babies don't handle uphevel well. She might continue to act like this for a bit after you move. Lastly, have you tried swaddling her tightly? Or maybe moving her crib into your room for now? Many newborns find great comfort in being swaddled since they're used to being in cramped spaces, and being near their parent can be a big comfort. You know how you can sense when someone is in a room with you even if you have your eyes closed? Babies feel that too. Also, try some infant gas drops. They're safe, and she may have some gas. It's really rough, so hang in there. This will happen many more times while she's young. If you need a break while she's crying, do set her down in her crib and step out of the room for a little bit, but don't stay away too long. I also recommend checking out the book or DVD 'The Happiest Baby on the Block'. It really helped both me and my husband when my son was a newborn. Good luck! PS - Unlike what someone above mentioned, do *not* put cereal in a newborn's bottle! Their body can't handle it since their digestive system is too fragile and new, and it doesn't work anyway. I was misguided once and tried it with my son when he was a newborn, and it did nothing! So it doesn't work.

Answer 3

My son gets congested all the time. I put vix on his chest and right underneath his nose. This helps alot. I also put a blanket between the mattress and box springs so his head is slightly up, dont overdo it though or they will spin around to the end of the bed with their feet in the air..lol. Humidifiers are great also. My son got congested when he was 2 weeks old, my doctor said I could use what is called Little Noses Decongestant. It worked great. Try not to use it for more than 3-4 days and I would only do it at night before bedtime so he could sleep. I also would feed him in the bathroom with a hot shower going so the steam would clear his nose and he could eat. GOOD LUCK!

Answer 4

Buy some Eucalyptus Oil and pour a few drops in a bath of red hot water, close the door and sit in there, either on the floor on the loo or take a comfy chair in there, and let the steam from the water and Eucalyptus do the trick, it worked every time with my children, I have 4, my eldest is now 21 so I must of done something right, this way is a much kinder, less distressfull way for your baby without playing around with her nose, which could distress her even more, the Eucalyptus helps to clear the mucus and willl help her/him to breath clearly. Congratulations by the way with your baby.

Answer 5

My baby has been snuffly since birth (nearly 6 months now) and we have been through everything to relieve this problem for her. You shouldn't really use Vicks (too strong). Karvol is good (a few drops in water in the sink whilst in the bathroom?) steam, saline drops (can be prescribed by your GP) and snuffle babe. Or a combination of all! The best thing is to raise the crib/cot up particularly, if like my baby, it is worse at night. We use a rolled up blanket under the matress. We are now under a consultant for this problem as it appears she has small/underdeveloped nasal passages so it is always worthwhile to get a referal, especially if it persists.

Answer 6

This happens to my son occasionally. Sit in the steam with him, and use the bulb syringe to suck out some congestion when you're done in the steam. You can use infant saline drops/spray and then suck as well. If you're nursing, you can irrigate with breastmilk from a dropper and then use the syringe, this is helpful. Is there a way you can prop your baby's mattress a little upright at night? My son sleeps in a co-sleeper and we put a small pillow UNDER his mattress (NEVER ON TOP) so his head is elevated a little. I know you already know, but don't put anything loose under his head or in bed with him. Yes,a cool air humidifier is good and Vicks makes Baby Rub which is very helpful and smells nice. Good luck.

Answer 7

my midwife suggested raising the cot the head end. I also put some vapour rub on a hanky near the baby out of the way though, tied it around the wooden poles in the cot. It worked my baby slept. You can't really give a baby in medicine at that age, keep the nose clear of mucus good luck!

Answer 8

Be careful about vapour rub eucalyptus oil etc... none of those should be used until 3 months, raising their head really does help, put a blanket rolled up under moses basket, so the mucus runs down instead of congestiing their noses. all babys get colds, will soon go does seem like for ever though.

Answer 9

saline or liquid ocean, you can get it from cvs pharmacy, I am not a doctor so call the pharmacist and ask. But I used it on my kid along with a blue bulb suck out thing that I got from the hospital. It freaks them out but it helps. Call your doctor or the pharmasist for more advice. Cvs has some nice people. Also try a humidifier that Vicks can be added to. Again not a doctor...
Good luck : )

Answer 10

a few drops of karvol on the babys bedding! or you can get baby snuffles from boots keep the air in the room moist put a bowl of water in the room so the air isnt too dry

hope ya babys better soon