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Chest Congestion Remedies for Babies

Chest congestion and stuffiness is a common condition in babies and infants. It is normally nothing serious and just requires some home remedies to loosen the mucus build-up and secretions caught in the back of the throat that cause chest congestion. These remedies are harmless, and most involve things you probably already have at home.

  1. Humidifier

    • Run a humidifier at night in the room where the baby sleeps. The hydration in the air will help provide moisture and clear the infant's lungs so he breathes in healthy moist air not dry air, which will just worsen the problem. Dry air can compromise and damage the lungs as it is hard on already sore tissue. Warm and cool mist can be used although warm mist is usually better for chest congestion as it helps break up the mucus plugs more quickly while also soothing the affected areas.

    Saline Nasal Sprays

    • Use a saline nasal spray or a salt water mixture and shoot it into the baby's nasal passages several times a day. Any saline nasal spray is safe as long as it is only "saline" not a combination of anything else or a medicated variety. The salt water will break down the mucus allowing it to drain out thus relieving the congestion. A lot of the time chest congestion spreads into the nasal passages and manifests itself as nasal congestion so unplugging these passageways will help the chest cavity open.

    Nasal Aspirator and Head Elevation

    • Put a nasal aspirator in the baby's nose and suck out the mucus. Then elevate the baby's head slightly so she sleeps with her head raised, allowing the congestion to clear out of their nose and encouraging better circulation. The elevation helps the heart pump blood through the body, which helps relieve chest congestion as it stimulates an endorphine to be produced that fights the unknown blockage.

    Vicks Vaporub

    • Rub a dab of Vicks Vaporub on the baby's chest. Rub in and use as directed on the container. This relieves the pressure caused by congestion and helps to break it up. Plus it has a soothing and calming agent added to it to help the baby sleep more soundly.

    Steam

    • Turn the shower on and run hot water so the bathroom begins to steam up. Sit with the baby in the steam for 10 to 15 minutes, two times a day until the congestion clears. Inhaling the steam will help open up the chest cavities and clear out congestion.

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