When your little one’s congested, you want to make them feel better right away. To help them feel more comfortable and get the rest they need, you might wonder, “Wha’s the best sleep position for a baby with a stuffy nose?”
The answer might surprise you! Keep reading to learn more about the best sleeping position for your congested baby and discover tips to help your little one breathe easier.
Key Takeaways
- Takeaway #1: The safest sleeping position for a baby under one year old is always on their back, even when they’re congested.
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Takeaway #2: Putting your baby to sleep on their back helps prevent suffocation and reduces the risk of SIDS. It also prevents your baby from rebreathing carbon dioxide and keeps their tongue out of their airway.
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Takeaway #3: You can help make your congested baby more comfortable by holding them upright while they’re awake, removing mucus and boogers, running a humidifier in their room, keeping them hydrated, and giving them a massage, among other things.
Signs Of A Stuffy Nose
Before we dive into the best sleeping position for babies with a stuffy nose, let’s look at some common signs that your baby is dealing with congestion:
- Difficulty breathing through the nose
- Noisy or labored breathing
- Snoring
- Nasal congestion or discharge
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Fussiness
- Trouble sleeping
If your baby shows these symptoms, they most likely have nasal congestion. While you can often treat this condition at home, your doctor can help determine the underlying cause of the stuffy nose and recommend treatment if necessary.
Best Sleeping Position For A Baby With A Stuffy Nose
You know that back is best for babies, but does that still apply when they have a stuffy nose? Yes! The best sleeping position for your little one is always on their back.
Here’s why.
Back Is Always Best
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends always putting babies to sleep on their back, on a firm, flat surface. This position reduces the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and is the safest way for your baby to sleep.
Helps Prevent Suffocation
Placing your little one on their back also helps prevent suffocation. Babies sleeping on their stomachs or sides may accidentally turn their heads into the mattress or bedding, limiting their ability to breathe.
The risk for suffocation is even higher when your baby is congested, as they’re already having trouble breathing.
Minimizes Rebreathing
Another reason to keep your baby on their back is to minimize them rebreathing carbon dioxide. If your little one is on their stomach or side, the exhaled gases get trapped around their face and can be re-inhaled, causing a dangerous build-up of carbon dioxide.
Keeps Tongue Out Of Airway
Sleeping on their back also keeps your baby’s tongue from falling back into the throat and blocking their airway.
When your little one is congested, it’s essential to keep their airway as clear as possible to prevent further breathing problems.
Meets Sleep Safety Guidelines
Your baby’s safety is your top priority, so even when they have a stuffy nose, it’s important to follow these guidelines to ensure a safe sleeping environment:
- Use a firm, flat sleep surface
- Keep soft objects, toys, crib bumpers, and loose bedding out of the crib
- Don’t use blankets or pillows for the first year
- Dress your baby in appropriate pajamas for the room’s temperature
- Avoid smoke exposure
- Share a room, not a bed
When your little one is congested, you may be tempted to prop their head up in hopes that they can breathe better. However, inclined sleeping positions are dangerous for babies.
When babies sleep in an elevated position, their necks aren’t always strong enough to keep the airway open. Their heads often flop to the side or front, restricting airflow and putting them at risk for suffocation.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) banned inclined sleepers after numerous reports of infant deaths related to their use.
Tips For Making Your Congested Baby More Comfortable
Now that you know the best sleep position for a baby with a stuffy nose, here are some tips to help ease their congestion and make them more comfortable.
1) Get The Boogers Out
Removing excess mucus can help your baby breathe easier. Here’s one way to do it:
- Squeeze a drop or two of baby-safe saline solution into each nostril
- Wait a few minutes for the solution to soften the mucus
- Use a bulb syringe or nasal aspirator to gently suck out the mucus
- Thoroughly clean the syringe to keep the boogers from hardening inside
Note: Most babies hate this process, so be prepared. To ensure their safety, be gentle and hold them tightly to prevent them from thrashing around.
2) Run A Humidifier
Dry air and congestion often go hand in hand. Running a humidifier in your baby’s room can add moisture to the air and help loosen up mucus.
However, not all humidifiers are safe for use around babies. Look for one that:
- Is cool-mist, not warm-mist
- Has a filter to prevent bacteria and mold growth
- Is easily cleaned
- Shuts off automatically if it runs out of water
3) Keep Them Hydrated
Your baby’s skin isn’t the only thing that needs hydration when they have a stuffy nose. Congestion can make it harder for your little one to breathe and swallow, which can lead to dehydration.
Help them stay hydrated by offering breast milk or formula more frequently. If your baby is over six months old, you can also try giving them small sips of water or diluted fruit juice in a bottle or a cup with a straw.
The extra fluids can help thin the mucus, making it easier to remove the boogers so they breathe better.
4) Prevent Chaffing
Once you get the boogers moving, snot can cause irritation and chaffing on the delicate skin under your baby’s nose. To prevent this, apply Soothing Moisturizing Face Cream at least twice a day.
The natural ingredients help protect and hydrate the skin, providing long-lasting moisture. And since it contains no parabens, phthalates, or phenoxyethanol, you can feel good about using it on your little one’s skin.
5) Give Them A Massage
Massaging your baby can help them feel better and temporarily relieve congestion. Gently rub their chest, back, and feet with warm baby oil. This can help stimulate blood flow, improve circulation, and break up mucus in the chest.
You can also gently massage their face to help clear their nasal passages. Using your fingertips, lightly stroke from the bridge of their nose towards their cheeks. Repeat this motion a few times while applying gentle pressure.
6) Spend Time In A Steamy Bathroom
Steam can work wonders for clearing congestion. When your baby is struggling to breathe through their nose, spend some time in a steamy bathroom with them.
Close the bathroom door and run hot water in the shower or bath. Don’t get in the tub or expose your little one to the water; just sit with them in the steamy room for 10-15 minutes.
The warm, moist air can help loosen up mucus and relieve congestion.
7) Hold Your Baby Upright
While you need to place your baby to sleep on their back, holding them upright while they’re awake can help relieve congestion. In this position, gravity can help move mucus down and out of their nose, making it easier for them to breathe.
You can hold your baby upright in your arms or use a sling or another baby carrier to keep your hands free.
8) Talk To Their Doctor
If your baby’s congestion persists or worsens, it’s time to talk to their doctor. They can check for underlying issues and recommend safe and effective remedies based on your baby’s age and health status.
Of course, seek immediate medical attention if your child has trouble breathing, develops a high fever, or shows signs of dehydration. These symptoms can indicate a more serious illness that requires prompt treatment.
Back To Sleep, Little One!
Let’s review! What’s the best sleeping position for a baby with a stuffy nose?
A. On their back
B. On their side
C. On their stomach
If you answered A, you’re right! Babies should always be placed on their backs for sleep, even when they’re congested.
To help relieve their stuffy nose and keep them more comfortable, use a cool mist humidifier, apply Soothing Moisturizing Face Cream to prevent chaffing under the nose, and use a nasal aspirator to clear excess mucus.
With these tips, your baby will feel better and be back to sleeping like a champ in no time. Sweet dreams from Mustela!
