Infant Nose Block: Causes, Safe Remedies & Care Tips

A blocked nose can make a baby uncomfortable, especially during feeding and sleep. Because young babies have small nasal passages, even a modest amount of mucus can make breathing through the nose more difficult.

Most nasal congestion is caused by a viral infection, environmental irritation or normal mucus production and improves with time. Simple measures such as plain saline drops and gentle suction can help when congestion interferes with feeding or comfort. However, breathing difficulty, poor feeding, fever in a young infant or other signs of serious illness need prompt medical attention.

Babies can develop nasal congestion for several reasons. Common causes include:

• Viral infections such as the common cold
• Dry air, which can make nasal secretions thicker
• Irritants such as cigarette smoke, strong fragrances and dust
• Normal mucus production
• Temporary nasal congestion during the early newborn period

Newborns do not need to have been exposed to many people to become congested. Viral infections can be passed between household members and caregivers, and nasal passages can also become irritated by dry air or other environmental factors.

Congestion during the first days or weeks of life does not necessarily mean that your baby has an infection. If your newborn has fever, poor feeding, unusual sleepiness or breathing difficulty, however, they should be assessed rather than assuming the symptoms are normal newborn congestion.

Mild congestion may cause noisy breathing or make feeding difficult. More significant symptoms can affect your baby's ability to breathe or feed.

Watch for:

• Difficulty latching or repeatedly pulling away from the breast or bottle to breathe
• Feeding much less than usual
• Breathing that is consistently faster or more laboured than normal
• Flaring of the nostrils
• Skin pulling in between or below the ribs with each breath
• Grunting or other persistent signs of breathing difficulty
• Unusual sleepiness or difficulty waking

These signs can indicate more than simple nasal congestion and should be assessed promptly.

For uncomplicated congestion, the main aim is to loosen mucus and help your baby breathe more comfortably. Plain saline and gentle suction are commonly used for this purpose.

How Do Saline Drops Help a Baby's Blocked Nose?

Plain saline drops can loosen thick or dried mucus, making it easier for your baby to clear it or for you to remove it gently.

Use plain saline intended for nasal use in infants and follow the product instructions. You can place the recommended amount into each nostril, wait briefly for the saline to loosen the mucus and then allow your baby to sneeze or gently clear the secretions.

Saline can be particularly useful before a feed if congestion is making it difficult for your baby to breastfeed or take a bottle.

Do not use medicated nasal drops or sprays unless your baby's healthcare professional specifically recommends them.

How Can You Use a Nasal Aspirator Safely?

If mucus remains after using saline, a bulb syringe or infant nasal aspirator can help remove it.

For a bulb syringe:

• Squeeze the bulb before bringing it near your baby's nostril.
• Place the soft tip only at the entrance of the nostril. Do not insert it deeply.
• Release the bulb gently to create suction.
• Remove the mucus and clean the device according to the manufacturer's instructions.
• Repeat on the other nostril if needed.

Gentle suction is enough. Strong or repeated suction can irritate the delicate lining of the nose and cause swelling, which may worsen congestion.

Use suction when your baby is struggling with mucus, particularly before feeding or sleep, rather than repeatedly suctioning an otherwise comfortable nose.

Can a Humidifier Help?

If the air in your home is dry, a cool-mist humidifier may help keep nasal secretions from becoming too thick.

If you use one:

• Follow the manufacturer's cleaning instructions.
• Change the water regularly.
• Keep the device out of your baby's reach.
• Place it where the mist can circulate safely without making the baby's sleep area damp.
• Clean it regularly to reduce mould and bacterial growth.

Avoid hot-water or steam vapourisers around babies because hot water and steam can cause serious burns.

What About Warm, Moist Air?

Moist air may temporarily make thick nasal secretions easier to clear. If you use a humid bathroom, keep your baby away from hot water and steam and never leave them unattended.

Never hold your baby over a bowl of hot water or use direct steam inhalation. The risk of burns is much greater than any potential benefit.

Should You Keep Feeding Your Baby During Congestion?

Yes. If your baby is otherwise well, continue breastfeeding or formula feeding.

A blocked nose can make breastfeeding or bottle-feeding more difficult because babies need to coordinate breathing with feeding. Gently clearing the nose before a feed may make feeding easier.

Offer feeds according to your baby's usual cues, and watch for significantly reduced milk intake. Young babies can become dehydrated more quickly if they are not feeding adequately.

Do not give water or other drinks to a young infant to compensate for reduced milk intake unless specifically advised by a healthcare professional.

Even when a baby has a blocked nose, safe sleep recommendations do not change.

Always place your baby on their back to sleep on a firm, flat and level sleep surface. Keep pillows, loose blankets, wedges, positioners and other soft objects out of the sleep space.

Do not prop up your baby's mattress or place a pillow underneath their head to help them breathe. An inclined sleep position can cause the head to fall forward or to one side and interfere with the airway.

Do not allow your baby to sleep in a swing, bouncer, car seat or other sitting device simply because they seem more comfortable there. If your baby falls asleep in one of these devices, move them to an appropriate flat sleep surface as soon as practical.

Some commonly suggested remedies are not appropriate for babies.

Avoid:

• Over-the-counter cough and cold medicines unless specifically prescribed or recommended for your baby
• Medicated decongestant nasal drops or sprays unless specifically advised by a healthcare professional
• Adult nasal sprays or medicines
• Essential oils applied to the baby's nose, skin or clothing
• Essential-oil vapour or diffusers around the baby
• Direct steam inhalation
• Holding a baby over a bowl of hot water
• Cotton buds inserted into the nostrils
• Pillows, wedges or other devices used to elevate the baby's head during sleep
• Smoke, strong perfumes and other respiratory irritants around the baby

"Natural" does not automatically mean safe for a newborn. If you are considering any medicine, herbal preparation or other product for congestion, check with your paediatrician or pharmacist first.

Because newborns and young infants can become seriously unwell quickly, certain symptoms require prompt assessment.

When Should a Baby With Congestion Be Seen Urgently?

Contact your paediatrician or seek urgent medical advice if your baby:

• Is feeding significantly less than usual
• Has noticeably fewer wet nappies
• Is unusually sleepy, difficult to wake or not responding normally
• Has persistent vomiting
• Has breathing that is faster or more difficult than usual
• Develops persistent wheezing, grunting or other unusual breathing sounds
• Has a cold or congestion that is getting worse rather than better

A baby under 3 months with a temperature of 38°C or higher needs urgent medical assessment.

When Is a Baby's Breathing Difficulty an Emergency?

Seek emergency medical care immediately if your baby:

• Is struggling to breathe
• Has severe chest or tummy recession with breathing
• Has pauses in breathing
• Has blue, grey or very pale lips, face or skin
• Is unable to feed because of breathing difficulty
• Is floppy, unresponsive or very difficult to wake

Do not wait for saline or suction to improve these symptoms. Breathing difficulty in a young baby requires immediate assessment.

A blocked nose is common in babies and often improves with simple supportive care. Plain saline drops, followed by gentle suction when needed, can help loosen and remove mucus, particularly before feeds. A cool-mist humidifier may also be useful when the surrounding air is dry.

Keep your baby's sleep environment flat, firm and free from pillows or other positioning devices, and avoid steam inhalation, essential oils and unprescribed cold medicines. If your baby is feeding poorly, has a fever, becomes unusually sleepy or shows any signs of breathing difficulty, seek medical attention promptly.