Blocked nose - help with feeding??

[numnum1]

Hi my 5 Wk old has a slighted cold with a blocked nose. He's well but is struggling during feeds and is getting a bit restless during each feed. I've never breastfeed a bub with a cold- can anyone offer ideas to help us?

[c38]

Clean his nose out as best you can before feeds.
You can express some milk and put drops up his nose (using a dropper or syringe or some manage to squirt well) Or you can buy saline solution or amilar mix called Little Fess at the chemist (I think some supermarkets have it also in a pack with a little nasal sucker thingy) that you likewise drop up their nose. The fluid loosens the mucous so that it either runs backwards and they swallow it, and/or use get a tissue and roll the corner and gently insert it into the nostril. This will help catch boogers so you can pull them out and often makes bubs sneeze, so they blow them out.
You can also buy a little nasal sucker thing (or buy one in a pack with the Little Fess) some people find them easy to use. Personally I could never coordinate DS being still enough to get it's tip up his nose.

You may also need to instil more drops of either saline solution or breast milk during the feed.

Putting them in the bathroom while your showering can also help loosen some of the muck, but is not very practicle to do for every feed.

Be prepared that they may feed less volume more frequently. If you don't feel bubs is feeding wel it may be good to express a few times after a feed to properly drain your boob, keeping up supply and prevent blocked ducts.

Obviously keep an eye on wet nappies

I hope bubs is feeling better soon..


(sorry bit rambled.. am typing while BF)

[EquineMum]

:iagree: with everything said above and also want to add that dabbing a bit of eucalyptus oil around the top of your LO's clothes/swaddling can also help - as he breathes in through his mouth, he will be inhaling the eucalyptus which will help unblock his nose. Also try dabbing some on his mattress cover so he's inhaling it when he sleeps. Made a massive difference to my DS when he was crook and BF!

Good luck - I hope he feels better soon.

[earthfairy]

Buy a Humidifier!!!!

Best thing we ever got!! DD was restless & would wake up in the night unable to breathe properly because of her blocked nose....she also went off her bottles because she couldn't breathe.

We have a Vicks Humidifier/Vaporizer & you add the vicks drops to it or even just eucalyptus oil & it works a treat!

Hope your little one gets better soon

:)

[Bambibambino]

All great advice!

I have had a bub with congestion for the last 2 weeks and have found a few things that have helped. Eukybear rub applied to the chest or on a singlet and also a bit on the sheets has really helped! I have also put a few teaspoons into a steaming hot bucket under his cot at bed time. We have to run the aircon as we live in the tropics and I wasn't sure a humidifier would work in that environment so have come up with this instead. Seems to really help :yes:

The other thing i have found helpful is to feed him when standing. Not sure why this helps but it has.

Hope he's better soon!

[earthfairy]

All great advice!

I have had a bub with congestion for the last 2 weeks and have found a few things that have helped. Eukybear rub applied to the chest or on a singlet and also a bit on the sheets has really helped! I have also put a few teaspoons into a steaming hot bucket under his cot at bed time. We have to run the aircon as we live in the tropics and I wasn't sure a humidifier would work in that environment so have come up with this instead. Seems to really help :yes:

The other thing i have found helpful is to feed him when standing. Not sure why this helps but it has.

Hope he's better soon!


We are in the tropics too, Cairns actually & have DD's air con on of a night time too - the humidifier works really well with the air con on actually.

The air con can dry the air out, making bubs cough & get irritated chest etc. Having it on in DD's room seems to really help & she sleeps uninterrupted all night.

Best of luck to all with sick bubs

[Bambibambino]

We are in the tropics too, Cairns actually & have DD's air con on of a night time too - the humidifier works really well with the air con on actually.

The air con can dry the air out, making bubs cough & get irritated chest etc. Having it on in DD's room seems to really help & she sleeps uninterrupted all night.

Best of luck to all with sick bubs

Thanks, good to know! I will invest in one I think, much easier than refilling a bucket with hot water :rolleyes:

[numnum1]

Thanks do much for all the advise and well wishes, I am putting to the test just about everyones suggestions. Poor little things - he's only 5 weeks young and just not himself, I'm in Qld and it's humid and wet here, I personally find the humidifier suffercating(not sure bout spelling that 1) I'll give it a try again, I found it made us sweaty but that was in winter so I'm yet to try it with aircon- could be a goer.
And I just fed standing up and I think it's gravity!! So I'm going to tip his bassinet up a little to clear him tonight too? ( i think I did that with my DS1)

I'm off to get sorted for the night as mr snuffalufagus(hehehe I can't spell!!!) is ready for his 6 hr evening sleep,
thanks again and may every one be well :-)