A stuffy nose is uncomfortable for all of us, and it’s even worse for our little ones. To get better, they’ll need plenty of rest. That’s why finding the best sleeping position for a baby with a stuffy nose is key.
In this article, we’ll tell you how to know if your baby is suffering from congestion, what might be causing it, and the best sleeping position for them. We’ll also give you a few tips to help relieve the stuffiness so that, soon enough, they’ll be breathing easy again.
Key Takeaways
Table of contents
- What causes a stuffy nose?
- How to tell if your baby has a stuffy nose
- Best sleeping positions for baby with stuffy nose: On their back
- Safe sleep tips
- Ways to help baby’s stuffy nose
- When to see a doctor
What causes a stuffy nose?
Your little one’s stuffy nose is triggered by anything that inflames or irritates their nasal tissues, causing mucus to accumulate in their nose and airways. This nasal congestion is most commonly caused by viruses, including RSV and the flu.
Although it’s uncomfortable, there’s actually a good reason for it: it’s their body’s way of battling viruses, allergens, and pollutants. The mucus keeps your baby’s nose moist and free of irritating particles.
Stuffy noses are very common for babies, and unless it goes on for a prolonged period or they are having difficulty breathing, you needn’t be overly concerned. If it is more severe or if they’re under three months, it’s best to see your doctor right away.
Understanding your baby’s immune system
If it feels like your baby constantly has a runny nose during their first year, don’t worry, it’s a normal part of growing up.
When your baby was born, they had some natural protection from their mother, but this faded after a few months. At that point, their own immune system had to take over.
Think of your baby’s immune system like a muscle that needs exercise to get stronger. The exercise, in this case, is catching a minor cold or stuffy nose. When that happens, their body is learning how to recognize germs and fight them off.
This is why it is common for your baby to catch a lot of colds in their first year alone.
Yes, it’s hard to watch them struggle with congestion and feel bad, but that’s their body doing exactly what it is supposed to be doing: building a defense system that will keep them healthy when they are older.
How to tell if your baby has a stuffy nose
Because your little one can’t tell you their symptoms, you’re going to have to rely on what you see. Here are some signs of a stuffy nose to look out for.
Thick mucus
One obvious sign that your baby has a stuffy nose is thick mucus in and around their nose. This, as we said, is their body’s way of fighting against a foreign invader, be it a virus, pollutant, or allergen.
Discolored mucus
Mucus is normally clear, so if your little one has yellow or green mucus, it may be a sign of a viral or bacterial infection.
Coughing
The mucus responsible for inflaming the tissues and blood vessels in your baby’s nose can also seep down into their throat, triggering a cough.
Snoring or noisy breathing
If your little one is snoring while they sleep or breathing noisily while they’re awake, it may be a sign of a stuffy nose.
Difficulty eating
Your little one may also have a hard time eating when they have a stuffy nose, as their blocked nose means they need to rely on their mouth to breathe.
If your little one is experiencing any of these symptoms, they likely have a stuffy nose.
Best sleeping position for baby with stuffy nose: On their back
As you’ve probably learned by now in your parenting journey, sleep is essential, so it’s important to know the best sleeping position for a baby with a stuffy nose. That’s easy: Your baby should always be placed in bed on their back.
It may feel tempting to place them on their side or on an elevated surface to allow the mucus to drain, but doing so is dangerous and must be avoided.
Safe sleep tips
Now that you know the best sleeping position for a baby with a stuffy nose, it’s important to review safe sleep recommendations in general.
Here are some tips on how to keep their shuteye safe while they’re stuffed up.
Keep the crib clear.
As cute as it is to have a crib with toys or blankets, if you have a baby under 12 months, you need to live by the mantra “bare is best” when it comes to their sleep surface.
Only put your baby to bed in safe sleep spaces.
You also want to remember that your little one should only sleep in a crib, travel crib, or bassinet. It may feel tempting to allow them to slumber wherever their eyes shut, especially if your little one has a stuffy nose, but doing so can be dangerous.
If they nod off next to you on the couch or in a baby rocker, move them to their proper crib as soon as possible.
Make sure their mattress is firm and breathable.
So that your baby gets restful and safe sleep so that can kick their stuffy nose ASAP, you’ll want to be sure their mattress is firm and breathable. If their mattress is too cushy, it can be dangerous.
As for breathability, it’s important because babies cannot thermoregulate on their own and can overheat easily. A breathable mattress will help with the natural airflow.
Also, if they flip over during the night, with a breathable mattress they can just breathe right through. Newton’s Essential Crib Mattress is not only firm and breathable but also washable from cover to core, making it a great choice for a peaceful night.
Share a room, not a bed.
It seems like a sweet thing — fall asleep snuggling with your little one — but doing so can be dangerous. Instead of sharing a bed, share a room. With your baby in a bassinet and you in the bed close by, you can bond and snooze safely.
What’s more, room-sharing for the first six months (and even better, the first year) has been associated with a decreased chance of SIDS.
Dress them for the room’s temperature.
When you put your baby down, you want to be sure they’re dressed appropriately for however warm or cool the room is. The rule of thumb is to dress them in one layer more than you would wear yourself.
Make sure they have an optimal sleep environment.
Getting restful sleep has a lot to do with your little one’s sleep environment, so you want to be sure they have a dark and quiet room.
Blackout shades can help with the light, and if there’s too much outside noise that might disturb them, think about getting a white noise machine.
Maintain a consistent bedtime routine.
To get your baby sleeping as well as they can while they have a stuffy nose, try to maintain your regular bedtime routine. Your little one will start recognizing the steps and their body will start relaxing and anticipating sleep.
Before putting them to bed on their back (the best sleeping position for a baby with a stuffy nose), try to clear their congestion using some of the ways we’ve listed below.
Ways to help baby’s stuffy nose
The best thing you can do for your little one if they’re congested is to clear the mucus from their nose. As their nasal passages and lungs are still so small, they can’t do it on their own.
Here are some ways that you can help your little one feel more comfortable day and night.
Carry your baby upright.
Although we know the best sleeping position for a baby with a stuffy nose is on their back, during the day, carrying them upright will help their sinuses drain. Using a baby carrier is an easy and hands-free way to do this.
Keep them hydrated.
Hydration will help thin the mucus that’s blocking your little one’s airways.
Try saline drops.
Putting a few drops of saline in each nostril will also thin the mucus and help your baby breathe more easily.
Suction gently.
Removing the mucus using a nasal aspirator should clear your baby’s nose for a while.
Use a cool-mist humidifier.
As dry air can cause congestion, adding moisture to the air can help clear your little one’s stuffy nose.
Sit in a steamy bathroom.
Sitting with your baby in a steamy bathroom can also do the trick of temporarily clearing their nasal passages. Make it brief, though — no more than three to five minutes — and if they seem uncomfortable, stop.
Give them a facial massage.
A gentle facial massage can help loosen what’s clogging your baby’s sinuses. Use two fingers to gently massage around their eyebrows and nose.
Check your home’s air quality.
Sometimes, your baby’s stuffy nose isn’t caused by a virus, but by the air inside your home.
Things like scented candles, air fresheners, strong cleaning sprays, and even your perfume or cologne can irritate the delicate lining of their little nose and lead to swelling and congestion.
If you suspect that heavy scents are the problem, try eliminating the source of the smell. You can also try switching to fragrance-free laundry detergents and cleaning products to see if that helps your baby breathe better.
Dust and pet dander are other major contributors to poor home air quality. If your baby is constantly congested, try vacuuming more often with a machine that has a HEPA filter to trap tiny particles
Make sure they feed enough.
Fighting off a stuffy nose takes a lot of energy. So, make sure they get enough to eat to keep their energy high.
Granted, this isn’t always easy because your baby likely prefers to breathe through their nose while they breastfeed or take a bottle. When their nose is blocked, they have to unlatch from the breast or bottle to gasp for air through their mouth.
To help them get enough milk, try feeding them in a more upright position.
Avoid harmful remedies.
When your little one is miserable with a stuffy nose, you might want to try anything to help. However, there are some common adult remedies that are actually dangerous for your baby.
Here are a few things to avoid using for your baby unless your pediatrician says otherwise:
- Over-the-counter cough and cold medicines
- Menthol rubs
- Essential oils
Stop illnesses from spreading.
While you can’t prevent every cold, you can lower the chances of your baby getting sick. The most effective way to do that is to wash your hands. It sounds simple, but it works!
Make sure everyone who holds the baby washes their hands first. If you have older children in school or daycare, have them wash their hands and change their clothes as soon as they get home before they play with the baby.
Also, clean your baby’s toys regularly. Babies put everything in their mouths, so if a toy has germs on it, those germs go straight into their system.
When to see a doctor
Head to your pediatrician’s office right away if you notice any of these signs, if your baby’s symptoms don’t clear up quickly, or if the symptoms get worse.
Baby congestion red flag checklist:
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Age: Baby is under 3 months old.
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Breathing struggle: Trouble inhaling or working hard to breathe.
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Noise: High-pitched sounds or grunting while breathing.
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Fever: Any sign of elevated temperature.
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Feeding: Persistent refusal to eat or inability to feed due to congestion.
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Duration: Congestion has lasted more than 4 days.
- Dehydration: Fewer wet diapers, dry mouth, or crying without tears.
Keep this checklist handy so you can easily refer to it if you have any worries about your little one’s health.
NOTE: Even if your baby doesn’t show any of the signs on this list, if your parental instinct says something is wrong, don’t hesitate to call a doctor. Remember, it’s better safe than sorry when it comes to your baby’s health.
Breathe easy, baby.
Sleep is essential for your baby’s road to recovery, and now you know that the best sleeping position for a baby with a stuffy nose is flat on their back.
When you’re putting your sweetie to bed, Newton’s firm and breathable mattresses — like our Original, Waterproof, and Essential models — are great choices. They feature Breathe-Thru Technology and are 100% washable and hypoallergenic.
With the tips in this article and a Newton mattress, your congested little one will be breathing easy in no time!
Frequently asked questions
Why can’t I use a sleep wedge or pillow to keep my baby upright?
You might think propping your baby up in some way would help drain the mucus from their nose and sinuses, just like it does for adults. However, your baby’s airway is very different from yours.
For the first 12 to 18 months of their life, your baby’s neck muscles aren’t strong enough to handle their “heavy” head in all positions. As a result, when they are propped up on an incline, their head can easily flop forward to the point that their chin touches their chest.
This position can compress their windpipe and restrict their ability to breathe, a condition known as positional asphyxia.
Because your baby will often sleep silently, you might not hear them struggling to breathe. This is why the American Academy of Pediatrics strongly advises against using any inclined sleepers, wedges, or pillows to keep your baby upright.
Even though your baby seems uncomfortable lying flat, their airway is actually most open and secure when they’re on a firm, flat surface.
If you want to use gravity to help them during the day, hold them upright in your arms or wear them in a baby carrier while you are awake and can supervise them.
How can I tell if my baby’s stuffy nose is caused by a cold or allergies?
It can be very difficult to tell the difference between a common cold and allergies because the symptoms are so similar. Both cause a runny nose and sneezing. However, there are a few clues you can look for that distinguish one from the other.
The first clue is the color of the mucus. If your baby has a cold, the mucus often starts watery and clear but will turn thick and yellow or green after a few days. With allergies, the mucus usually stays watery and clear the whole time.
Another clue is the presence of a fever. Colds are caused by viruses, so they often come with a low-grade fever. Allergies, on the other hand, are a reaction to environmental factors such as dust or pet dander. They will not cause a fever.
You can also look at your baby’s eyes to distinguish between a cold and allergies. If their eyes seem itchy, watery, or red, that points toward allergies.
Is it possible to suction my baby’s nose too much?
Yes. While removing the congestion with suction does offer instant relief, you can overdo it. Pediatricians generally recommend using a nasal aspirator or bulb syringe no more than three or four times a day unless otherwise directed by your pediatrician.
If you do it more than that, the suction can irritate the delicate lining of your baby’s nostrils. When this sensitive tissue gets irritated, it becomes inflamed and swells up. This creates a cycle called rebound congestion that blocks the airway just as much as the mucus did.
To help reduce the amount of suction necessary to remove the mucus, add a few drops of saline mist first to loosen everything up. This protects the inside of your baby’s nose by making the mucus softer and easier to remove.
