Understanding Nasal Congestion In Babies: Causes And Solutions |...

Understanding Nasal Congestion In Babies: Causes And Solutions

Posted 2025-07-03 11:35:23

Congestion is identified to be expected in babies. It usually occurs due to the nasal passages as they are small. Further leading can cause a stuffy nose and noisy or rapid breathing. If your child is dealing with nasal congestion, it is best to talk to a pediatrician and determine the causes of it and practical solutions to get rid of it.

We have talked with Dr. Promilla Butani, the best General Pediatrician in Delhi, to give you more details on nasal congestion. So, let's start by shedding light on the causes of nasal congestion.

Causes of Nasal Congestion In Babies

The most observed causes of nasal congestion in babies and toddlers are:

Common cold and viral infections
Allergies
Dry air environmental irritants such as exposure to smoke, strong odours, or pollutants in the air
Anatomical factors
Inhales irritants
Sinus infections
Changes in weather
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)

Symptoms

When your toddler has a congested nose, you may notice symptoms such as:

Coughing
A runny nose
A blocked nose
Mild difficulty when feeding
Snoring and asleep
Noisy or more noticeable breathing
Mild difficulty when eating
Sniffling

Are There Any Home Remedies To Treat Nasal Congestion In Kids?

Steps you can follow to make your baby feel better include:

Wipe away excess mucus with a soft, dry tissue or cloth
Provide warm baths to your baby
Add one or two drops of saline to their nostril with the help of a small syringe.
Try to gently massage their nasal bridge, forehead, temples, and cheekbones.
Use gentle suction to clear the nasal passageway, usually before feeding
Provide steam or cool mist from a humidifier or by running a hot shower

Know When To See A Pediatrician!

Though babies' and toddlers' colds can be challenging. Still, most children's symptoms will recover with time and rest. You can consult a child's pediatrician if you notice the following nasal congestion symptoms.

A blue tint to the skin, around lips or nostrils
Moaning or grunting after each breath
Rapid or hard breathing that makes breathing difficult
A breathing rate of more than 60 breaths per minute interferes with feeding or sleep as babies naturally breathe faster than older children, at 40 or 20-40 breaths during sleep.
Flaring nostrils make the baby struggle to breathe.
Your baby's ribs suck in with each breath; it's called retractions. This suggests difficulty breathing and requires immediate medical attention.

In Conclusion

It is observed that mild to moderate congestion is common among babies and only lasts for a few days. But if the congestion lasts longer than that, it is best to consult a pediatrician and plan your toddler's effective treatment.

If you seek the best pediatrician, you can consult Dr. Promilla Butani. With over more than five decades of experience and providing practical solutions to her patients, she is renowned as the Top Pediatric Doctor in Delhi. So, care for your baby's health by consulting with her and visiting Dr. Promilla Butani's Pediatrics Practice Clinic today!