Sipon ng Baby: 5 Tips To Help Clear Your Baby's Nose

Most parents don’t get surprised when their baby develops the common cold.  And while sipon ng baby, in general, is mild, it might also bring discomfort, like making breathing difficult and losing appetite. The good news is, there are many ways to ease the common cold symptoms that make your child uncomfortable. Learn more about the home remedies for sipon ng baby here.

How To Treat Sipon ng Baby

You can start with the following.

1. Start with Fluids or Breastmilk

If you’re exclusively breastfeeding your less-than-6-months baby, offer them extra breast milk. In case you’re bottle-feeding, give them an increased amount (additional 1 to 2 oz) of formula milk. Over the age of 6 months, continue breastfeeding or bottle-feeding, but provide them with some water, too.

2. Promote Comfort and Rest

Babies who experience common cold symptoms that make them irritable and uncomfortable need plenty of rest.

To promote rest, make sure that they’re comfortable. Check if their sleeping area is well-ventilated and avoid over-bundling them.

Additionally, babies can take a bath as long as you immediately dry them with a towel after.

3. Consider Using a Nasal Aspirator

Sipon ng baby often triggers extra nasal discharge. At first, the mucus is thin and loose, and then later, it’ll be thick and sticky.

A runny or clogged nose can make it difficult for your baby to rest and eat. Since they still don’t know how to blow their nose, it might be a good idea to have a nasal aspirator on hand. A nasal respirator, like a rubber bulb, is a panghigop ng sipon ng baby. With a clear nose, they can breathe and eat more easily.

Note:

For thick and dried sipon ng baby, you might need to use saline drops first before suctioning. Many nasal drops or sprays are available over-the-counter, but if you can’t find any, authorities say you can make one yourself.

Mix ½ teaspoon of table salt in 1 cup of warm water. Before using the nasal aspirator, place 2 to 3 drops in each nostril – one side at a time.

4. Moisten the Air

Consider using a humidifier for sipon ng baby; experts say the cool mist helps add moisture to the air, easing nasal congestion and preventing the drying of the nasal passages and throat.

Clean the humidifier before use to eliminate any bacteria that might have accumulated in the device. Furthermore, avoid using a hot-water humidifier as it increases the risk of burns.

5. Take Care of Their Nose

With extra nasal discharge, their nose and the area around it may become irritated. Be sure to wipe the mucus gently. You can also apply a small amount of petroleum jelly or moisturizer lotions outside their nostrils.

What About Medications?

Is it okay to give medications for sipon ng baby, especially when they have a fever and are too uncomfortable?

If you’re contemplating giving your little one medicine for their common cold, it’s best to bring them to the doctor first. The kind of medication and dose they need depends on their symptoms and age.

Case in point, you shouldn’t give paracetamol to babies younger than 3 months old, but you also need to be careful in giving the medicine to older infants because the dosing can be confusing.

Never give your baby antibiotics, decongestants, and cough medicines unless you have the doctor’s approval.

When To Seek Medical Help

In most cases, sipon ng baby goes away within a few days and doesn’t turn into anything serious. However, bring your child to the doctor if they:

• Frequent coughing
• Nasal flaring
• Chest retractions
• Have noisy breathing or are breathing faster than usual
• Are not eating
• Are vomiting
• Have a fever of 38.2 C or higher or one that doesn’t improve within 48 hours.
• Look unusually tired

Final Reminders

Sipon ng baby doesn’t always need treatment. In fact, a lot of babies stay happy and comfortable even with increased nasal discharge. If their symptoms don’t improve even with the home remedies or get worse, contact the doctor immediately.

Learn more about Baby Care here.