Home Remedies for Runny Nose in Babies and Kids

A runny nose is a common problem in babies. Their immature immune system takes a toll on their health. And a baby’s constant urge to touch new things or put them in his mouth makes him more susceptible to catching infections. Where adults can simply pop in a pill and get over with a bout of cold or flu, it may not be the same for babies. Over-the-counter medicines are not good for your munchkin because of their probable side-effects. If you are searching for some effective home remedies for a runny nose for your baby, this is just the right post for you!

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What Causes Runny Nose in a Child?

It is quite usual for babies to have as many as 6 to 8 bouts of cold or flu in a year. As discussed above, this happens because of your baby’s weak immune system; however, this will get stronger as your baby grows up and starts following a good diet. Here are some common causes of a runny nose in babies.

• If your baby is suffering from cold, your baby may have symptoms like chest congestion, fever, cough, sneezing and a runny nose.

• If your baby is suffering from the flu, he may have a poor appetite, cough, and severe cold symptoms such as a runny nose.

• If your baby suffers from some type of allergic reaction, he may develop itchy skin, rashes on the body, watery eyes, and runny nose.

These are some common reasons for a runny nose in babies; however, if you think none of the reasons mentioned above apply to your baby, rush to your doctor for further assistance.

How to Stop a Runny Nose in Babies

Babies get very irritated and restless whenever they are unwell. Runny nose is something that may make your baby feel very uncomfortable. Here are some effective ways to stop a runny nose in babies.

1. Increase Your Baby’s Fluid Intake

A baby suffering from a runny nose may start breathing from his mouth. Breathing through the mouth causes breathing dehydration in babies. Therefore, it is important to increase your baby’s intake of breast milk or formula milk. If your baby is more than six months old, you may give water and other fluids too. Ask your paediatrician what fluids you may give to your baby.

2. Suction Bulb and Secretions

A runny nose may cause a lot of mucous in your baby’s nose, which may hamper your baby’s breathing. A suction bulb can be used to extract the mucous from the baby’s nose to help him breathe better. This bulb is easily available at any medical store and can be bought without a doctor’s prescription too. Make sure you clean the bulb before and after every use.

3. Head Elevation

Elevating the baby’s head is one of the effective ways of making your baby feel better. It not only helps in better secretion of the mucous but it also prevents the mucous from seeping into the throat, which may usually result in coughing bouts. Take a towel or two and elevate your baby’s head up to 18 inches. Make sure your baby’s head is not raised to more than this height, as it may get very uncomfortable for him.

4. Petroleum Jelly

The constant wetness under the nose may make your baby’s nose sore and irritate his sensitive skin too. Apply a layer of petroleum jelly under the nose for the protection of the area. Refrain from putting vapour rub as it may cause irritation or even respiratory distress in babies.

These are some easy ways of stopping running nose in babies.

Natural Remedies for Runny Nose in Toddlers and Older Children

Here are some natural home remedies for running nose in toddlers and older children.

• Ginger and honey mix is excellent for dealing with running nose systems. Grate a piece of ginger root and squeeze its juice. Add honey to it and give this mixture to your kid two to three times a day.

• Mustard oil is great for battling a runny nose in kids. Warm-up mustard oil with some asafoetida, garlic cloves, and carom seeds. Massage your child’s back and chest with this oil. You may see your child’s symptoms improving after a couple of massages.
• One of the most effective Indian home remedies for a runny nose in infants is coconut oil and camphor. Mix some camphor in coconut oil and warm it up. Apply this only gently on your baby’s chest, back, and neck. This may not only help in clearing the congestion and runny nose but may also help him sleep peacefully.

• Jaiphal mixed with milk is a great home remedy for curing running nose. Take a few spoons milk and add a pinch of jaiphal to it. Give it a boil and bring it to room temperature before administering it your child. This is an excellent way of providing instant relief to your child.

Apart from the remedies mentioned above, make sure your baby is fully clothed and is wearing ample warm clothes in winters. Steam is another great way of easing your baby’s runny nose problems. If your baby or toddler does not feel better by using any of the home remedial measures mentioned above, medical intervention may be required. We suggest that you seek your doctor’s help.

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Rubella (German Measles) in Infants and Kids
Using Jojoba Oil for Babies and Kids