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Suggest Treatment For Chest Congestion And Sneezing
Question: Hi my five month baby seems to have a congested chest she is otherwise happy active no fever but is coughing three or four times a day and sneezing two or three times a day but there is some sound from her chest most of the time. We can hear her breathing. Last week my husband was down with viral fever and I still have a stuffy nose myself. My baby has been exclusively breastfeeded as this is her first illness
Brief Answer:
Nasal blockade could be the cause
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome to Healthcare-Magic
Greetings of the day
Dear Ms XXXXXXX
Nasal blockade in Infants could cause conducted sounds in chest. If the respiration is normal, baby is accepting feeds well and sleep well after feeds there is no cause for concern.
Instillation of normal saline nasal drop into nostril is all that is required. Continue exclusive breast feeding.
Do get back to me if you need any further assistance, will be glad to assist you.
Take care
Best regards
Dr T Shobha Deepak
MBBS, MD
Nasal blockade could be the cause
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome to Healthcare-Magic
Greetings of the day
Dear Ms XXXXXXX
Nasal blockade in Infants could cause conducted sounds in chest. If the respiration is normal, baby is accepting feeds well and sleep well after feeds there is no cause for concern.
Instillation of normal saline nasal drop into nostril is all that is required. Continue exclusive breast feeding.
Do get back to me if you need any further assistance, will be glad to assist you.
Take care
Best regards
Dr T Shobha Deepak
MBBS, MD
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hi doctor, yes she is now having problems in feeding as she gets breathless. She is having problems in sleeping too as have to keep her elevated and sleeping is an issue. Can you please suggest any remedy? I am giving her saline drops from three days but it is not helping
Brief Answer:
Humidifier will be helpful
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Babies do experience difficulty in sleeping during respiratory infection.
If the respiration rate is less than 50 per minute, no chest retraction, no flaring of nose while taking breath in there is no cause of concern.
Antibiotics or decongestant drops are not advisable in infants. The condition is usually self limiting .
I would also advise the following
1. Elevating the head : Raising your child's head while she rests can help her breathe more comfortably. You can raise her mattress with the help of towels or pillows.If your child sleeps in a cot, place the towels or slim pillow between the mattress and the cot. Never put towels or pillows in the cot with your baby, as they could suffocate her. Don't try to raise the legs of the cot, either. It could make the cot unstable.
If your child is over a year old and sleeps in a big bed, an extra pillow under her head might do the trick. But, if she twists and turns while she sleeps, it's better to raise the head of the mattress instead. This also creates a more gradual, comfortable slope than extra pillows under her head.
Cautions:
Be careful to not overcrowd the cot or bed with pillows. Keep checking on your child. If your child is a restless sleeper, she might flip around so that her feet are higher than her head, defeating the purpose.
2. Lots of rest It takes energy to fight an infection, and that can wear a child out. Resting helps your child get back energy. Studies show that stress plays a role in illness too. If your child is under pressure-because of school or friends, or something happening at home-giving her a break may be just what she needs to fight off her symptoms.
2. Steamy air : Breathing moist or humid air helps loosen the mucus in the nose. A warm bath will also relax your child.
To moisten the air, you can get a humidifier, steamer or a cool-mist vapouriser from the market. If you use one, be sure to clean it often (every three days) and according to the manufacturer's directions.
All you need to do is leave the humidifier, cool-mist vapouriser or steamer on in your child's room when she's sleeping, resting, or playing. As the air gets humid, your child will breathe easier.
If you do not have any of these items at home, a quick-fix solution is letting your child breath in steamy air in the bathroom. Let the hot water run in the shower and close the door to the bathroom. Block any gap under the door with a towel, and sit in the steamy room with your child for about 15 minutes. The steam will help her congestion.
Adding a few drops of menthol, eucalyptus, or pine oil to the bath water (or vapouriser/steamer) may also help. These oils are available at most stores.
Do not use honey.
If the child is having lot of difficulty in falling to sleep then I would advise you the following
1. Insert 4 drops of normal saline into each nostril
2. After instilling drops give baby just 1 ml of Phenargan syrup . It will be helpful
Do get back to me if you need any further assistance, will be glad to assist you.
Take care
Best regards
Dr T Shobha Deepak
Humidifier will be helpful
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Babies do experience difficulty in sleeping during respiratory infection.
If the respiration rate is less than 50 per minute, no chest retraction, no flaring of nose while taking breath in there is no cause of concern.
Antibiotics or decongestant drops are not advisable in infants. The condition is usually self limiting .
I would also advise the following
1. Elevating the head : Raising your child's head while she rests can help her breathe more comfortably. You can raise her mattress with the help of towels or pillows.If your child sleeps in a cot, place the towels or slim pillow between the mattress and the cot. Never put towels or pillows in the cot with your baby, as they could suffocate her. Don't try to raise the legs of the cot, either. It could make the cot unstable.
If your child is over a year old and sleeps in a big bed, an extra pillow under her head might do the trick. But, if she twists and turns while she sleeps, it's better to raise the head of the mattress instead. This also creates a more gradual, comfortable slope than extra pillows under her head.
Cautions:
Be careful to not overcrowd the cot or bed with pillows. Keep checking on your child. If your child is a restless sleeper, she might flip around so that her feet are higher than her head, defeating the purpose.
2. Lots of rest It takes energy to fight an infection, and that can wear a child out. Resting helps your child get back energy. Studies show that stress plays a role in illness too. If your child is under pressure-because of school or friends, or something happening at home-giving her a break may be just what she needs to fight off her symptoms.
2. Steamy air : Breathing moist or humid air helps loosen the mucus in the nose. A warm bath will also relax your child.
To moisten the air, you can get a humidifier, steamer or a cool-mist vapouriser from the market. If you use one, be sure to clean it often (every three days) and according to the manufacturer's directions.
All you need to do is leave the humidifier, cool-mist vapouriser or steamer on in your child's room when she's sleeping, resting, or playing. As the air gets humid, your child will breathe easier.
If you do not have any of these items at home, a quick-fix solution is letting your child breath in steamy air in the bathroom. Let the hot water run in the shower and close the door to the bathroom. Block any gap under the door with a towel, and sit in the steamy room with your child for about 15 minutes. The steam will help her congestion.
Adding a few drops of menthol, eucalyptus, or pine oil to the bath water (or vapouriser/steamer) may also help. These oils are available at most stores.
Do not use honey.
If the child is having lot of difficulty in falling to sleep then I would advise you the following
1. Insert 4 drops of normal saline into each nostril
2. After instilling drops give baby just 1 ml of Phenargan syrup . It will be helpful
Do get back to me if you need any further assistance, will be glad to assist you.
Take care
Best regards
Dr T Shobha Deepak
Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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