Cold and flu season is right around the corner, and this is a scary thought if you have a newborn. What can you do to help them or ease up the symptoms when they start getting stuffy? I have a great list of simple things that can help get your little one feeling better.

Remember, if you are worried about your baby, always follow your gut.  These tips are for parents who are just trying to make baby comfortable while he or she fights off a mild cold or allergy symptoms—not for treating or attempting to cure an illness.

Here are 10 tips and tricks to keep in mind when your newborn gets stopped up:

1. BREASTMILK! Your baby needs to stay hydrated now more than ever. So nurse, nurse, nurse! Not only will you be helping to hydrate baby, but it will also give them important antibodies. Breast milk can also be squirted up little one’s nose to help unclog it, in ears for ear infections, and in eyes to unclog ducts.
2. Keeping baby in an upright position can help with breathing. Whether they are sleeping, eating, or just being carried, keep them upright. This will help with breathing and congestion if they are stuffed up.
3. Humidifiers are amazing–get one now! If mold is a concern, a cold-mist humidifier may be your best option.
4. Bring a pot of water to boil. Once water is boiling, take it off the heat and add essential oils like eucalyptus, sage, balsam, or peppermint to create a natural decongesting steam.
5. Nurse in a steamy bathroom.
6. Add diluted essential oils to the breast where baby won’t be touching, but where baby can breathe it in. This will help ease stuffiness while nursing.
7. The Nose Frida is an amazing tool for nose suction. You can control suction and it won’t grow nasty mold like bulb syringes do.
8. No menthol, peppermint oil, or camphor on baby’s face! Feet, chest, or back are good options, or use on mom where baby will be near.
9. Add a few drops of peppermint essential oil to vegetable oil, and rub on baby’s feet. A natural Vick’s!
10. Touch! Never underestimate the power of your touch. Not only will you be comforting your child, but you will be the first to know if symptoms get bad enough to take additional steps.

Remember, I am not and have never been a medical professional. This is not professional medical advice. If your gut is telling you to go to the doctor, then go!

Allison Klaine is raising her two kids and two dogs in Southern Illinois. She hopes to share her passion for cloth diapering, living with less, and JJ Abrams television shows.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, October 9th, 2013 at 9:00 am and is filed under Allison Klaine, Parenting. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.