The safest ways to relieve a congested baby are saline drops, gentle nasal suctioning, a cool-mist humidifier, and extra fluids. Over-the-counter cold medicines are not recommended for children under 2 and should not be given to babies. Most infant congestion clears on its own within a week or two, but there are several effective techniques to keep your baby comfortable and breathing easier in the meantime.
Saline Drops and Nasal Suctioning
Saline (saltwater) nose drops are your best first step. A few drops in each nostril loosen dried or thick mucus, making it easier for your baby to breathe or for you to suction it out. You can buy pre-made saline drops at any pharmacy. Lay your baby on their back, tilt their head slightly, and place two to three drops in one nostril at a time. Wait a few seconds before suctioning.
For suctioning, you have two main options: a traditional bulb syringe or a tube-style nasal aspirator like the NoseFrida. Both work by creating gentle suction to pull mucus from the nostrils. Tube-style aspirators tend to have high parental satisfaction ratings, and the American Academy of Pediatrics supports superficial suctioning to temporarily relieve nasal congestion, especially in younger infants. Whichever tool you use, stick to shallow suctioning at the opening of the nostrils. Deep suctioning into the back of the nose can cause irritation, swelling, and minor bleeding. Two to three times a day is generally enough. Over-suctioning can make nasal tissues more swollen, which worsens the problem.
Using a Humidifier Safely
Dry air thickens mucus and makes congestion worse. A humidifier adds moisture to the room, which helps keep your baby’s nasal passages from drying out. Always use a cool-mist humidifier for children. Warm-mist humidifiers and steam vaporizers pose a burn risk if a child gets too close or if hot water spills.
Place the humidifier near your baby’s crib but out of reach. Clean it daily: empty the tank and dry all surfaces to prevent bacteria and mold from growing in standing water. Using distilled or purified water reduces mineral buildup inside the machine and keeps the mist cleaner. A dirty humidifier can actually disperse bacteria and mold into the air, so consistent cleaning matters more than the specific brand you buy.
Steam From a Hot Shower
A quick steam session in the bathroom can temporarily loosen mucus. Turn on the hot shower with the bathroom door closed, let steam build for a few minutes, then sit in the bathroom with your baby on your lap for about 10 to 15 minutes. You’re not putting your baby in the shower. The warm, moist air does the work. Keep your baby well away from the hot water itself, since scalds are the most common type of burn in children. Always supervise closely.
Keeping Your Baby Hydrated
Congestion makes feeding harder because babies breathe primarily through their noses. A stuffed nose can make nursing or bottle-feeding frustrating, so your baby may eat less at each session. Offer breast milk or formula in smaller, more frequent feedings rather than waiting for normal feeding times. If your baby is older than 6 months and eating solids, small sips of water between meals can also help.
Watch for signs of dehydration: fewer wet diapers than usual, darker urine, a dry mouth, or no tears when crying. Babies who are well-hydrated typically produce several wet diapers throughout the day. If you notice a significant drop in wet diapers or your baby is refusing to feed, that warrants a call to your pediatrician.
What Not to Do
Some common instincts can actually be harmful for a congested baby.
- Don’t give OTC cold medicine. The FDA does not recommend over-the-counter cough and cold medicines for children younger than 2 because of the risk of serious, potentially life-threatening side effects. Manufacturers voluntarily label these products with a warning against use in children under 4.
- Don’t give honey. Honey is sometimes used as a cough remedy for older children, but it should never be given to a baby under 1 year old, not even a tiny amount on a pacifier. Honey can contain spores that cause infant botulism, and about 95% of cases occur in babies younger than 6 months.
- Don’t elevate the crib. It might seem logical to prop up the head of the mattress so mucus drains, but the AAP’s 2022 safe sleep guidelines are clear: nothing should be placed under or over the mattress to create an angled sleep surface. Wedges, pillows, and rolled towels are all unsafe. Inclines greater than 10 degrees increase the risk of sleep-related infant death, and studies show elevation doesn’t actually relieve upper respiratory symptoms regardless of severity. Your baby should always sleep on a firm, flat surface.
- Don’t use menthol or eucalyptus rubs. Products like Vicks VapoRub are not intended for children under 2. The strong vapors can irritate a baby’s airways and make breathing more difficult.
Upright Time While Awake
Gravity helps mucus drain, so holding your baby upright during waking hours can provide relief. Wearing your baby in a carrier, holding them against your chest, or letting them sit in a supported position (if they’re old enough) all help. Tummy time for younger babies also encourages drainage from the nose. The key distinction is that upright positioning is fine while your baby is awake and supervised, but the crib must remain flat for sleep.
Signs That Need Medical Attention
Most infant congestion is caused by common colds and resolves without treatment. But certain symptoms signal that your baby is working too hard to breathe and needs to be seen right away. Watch for a breathing rate faster than 60 breaths per minute, flaring nostrils with each breath, grunting sounds at the end of each exhale, and visible retractions, where the skin pulls in between or below the ribs during breathing. A bluish tint around the lips or fingernails is a sign of low oxygen and requires immediate emergency care.
Congestion that lasts longer than 10 to 14 days, is accompanied by a fever over 100.4°F (38°C) in a baby under 3 months, or comes with persistent ear-pulling or thick green nasal discharge that doesn’t improve also warrants a visit to the pediatrician. Babies under 2 months with any congestion that interferes with feeding deserve an earlier call, since they have less reserve and dehydrate faster.