Three ways to help relieve your toddler’s congestion

Anna Martin

It’s cold and flu season which means one thing; congestion

When your little one is all stuffed up, it can be stressful for both them and you as their breathing may change.

While us grown-ups can give our noses a good hard blow, it can be difficult for toddlers to get to grips with, often leading to tears.

On the bright side, there are ways to ease your child’s blocked nose and have them breathing a bit easier.

Steam

Having your toddler breathe moist air can help loosen all the mucus causing their congestion. Try using a humidifier, vaporizer, or just having your child sit in a steamy bathroom.

A warm bath in a steamy bathroom will have the same decongesting effect. You’ll also get the added benefit of offering comfort and distraction to your child.

You could also try running a hot shower, laying a towel on the floor against the door, and simply sitting in the steamy space with your little one, encouraging them to blow their nose or cough up any mucus regularly.

Nasal aspirator and saline drops

A bulb syringe, or nasal aspirator, has a blunt tip attached to a flexible bulb and could be used to help clear out the nasal passages.

Pair this with a saline solution for maximum results. The method is as follows:

Gently lay your child down on their back over a towel roll
Apply two to three drops of the saline solution into each nostril. This will help thin the mucus causing the congestion. Allow to sit for a minute
Next, sit them up. Squeeze the bulb portion of the syringe. Gently insert the rubber tip into one nostril, being careful not to press it in too deeply. For better suction, use your finger to gently press the other nostril closed
Begin slowly releasing the bulb to draw in the saline drops and mucus. Remove the tip of the syringe and squeeze it into a tissue to eject the contents. Then wipe it off and repeat with the other nostril

Don’t use the saline solution for more than a few days in a row as it may irritate your child’s nose. The same goes for the bulb syringe.

Sleeping upright

Lying down flat can make congestion worse and even lead to disrupted sleep, something that neither you nor your toddler needs when they’re sick.

Try placing a rolled-up towel or a pillow beneath the top part of your child’s mattress. This slightly upright position can make your child more comfortable as they try to get some much-needed rest.