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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
