How to Treat a Runny Nose on a Baby

A baby gets a runny nose for numerous reasons, including colds, flu, bacterial infections and allergies to pet dander, pollen and dust. A baby also experiences a runny nose when she is teething or is exposed to cigarette smoke. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine's MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, nasal discharge may be thick or discolored and turn yellow or green after a few days. Antibiotics do not treat cases of runny noses; doctors don't recommend this form of treatment regimen for infants and toddlers. Parents can treat their baby's runny nose with simple home remedies.

Things You'll Need

• Nasal aspirator
• Humidifier
• Saline spray
• Kosher or pickling salt
• Baking soda
• Distilled water

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Instructions

• 1

  Suck out mucus. Parents can use nasal aspirators to suck excess mucus out of the nasal cavity. To use an aspirator, parents must lay their babies on their backs on comfortable pillows. Squeeze the bulb of the aspirator and insert the tip into babies' noses. Gently release the bulb and pull out the tip. Put mucus on a tissue that will be thrown away. Depending on the frequency of runny noses, parents may have to continue this process every two hours. Babies may become fussy during the cleaning process. Drug stores and retails stores stock aspirators in their baby supply aisles.

• 2

  Get a humidifier. When humidity levels in the home are too low, it leads to irritated nasal passages and sore throats. A humidifier treats colds, allergies and respiratory conditions, including runny noses. Parents add distilled or demineralized water to the humidifier. According to MayoClinic.com, tap water contains minerals that promote bacterial growth in humidifiers. The website also says these minerals appear as white dust on furniture.

  Parents should talk to their babies' pediatricians, especially if babies suffer from asthma or respiratory infections. Pediatricians are able to recommend brands of humidifiers that work best for certain health conditions. Parents must monitor humidity levels and keep the machine clean to prevent mold and bacteria buildup.

• 3

  Make a saline nasal irrigation spray to prevent mucus build up. The University of Michigan Health System provides a recipe for making an at-home nasal spray. Mix 1/4 tsp. of kosher or pickling salt, 1/4 tsp. baking soda and 8 ounces of warm, distilled water. Stir the solution until ingredients are evenly distributed. Add the solution into a nasal suction with a bulb

  Parents should cup their babies' heads in the palm of their hands and lean over a sink or basin. Gently squeeze solution in one nostril until it comes out of the other one. Some of the solution will flow into babies' throats and cause coughing. Have a towel or napkin ready for spitting. Repeat this process four to six times a day. Parents who don't want to make their own solution can purchase ready-made sprays at local drug stores. According to MedlinePlus, you should not use over-the-counter nasal sprays more than three days on and three days off.