How To Relieve a Baby's Stuffy Nose

Gently tip her head back and squeeze a few saline drops into each nostril. Wait a minute or two to let the drops loosen the mucus clogging her breathing passages.

Now use the bulb syringe to suck out the mucus. Squeeze the bulb flat, hold it just inside your baby’s nostril, and slowly release it.

Use the washcloth to wipe away any nose drops that dribble out, as well as any mucus that escapes the syringe.

If the skin around your baby’s nose is red, dab a little petroleum jelly on it to relieve the irritation.

Your baby may also benefit from steam. Sit with her in the bathroom with the shower running full blast on hot and the door closed for about 15 minutes.

At naptime and bedtime, run a cool-mist vaporizer in her room to keep the air moist.

To help ease congestion while she sleeps, slip a few rolled up towels under the end of her mattress where her head will be. Don’t tilt or prop the crib itself.

Increase the amount of fluid your baby takes in, by nursing or bottle-feeding her more often than usual.

Throughout the day, keep an eye out for signs that she may have something worse than a cold, such as high fever, no interest in eating, or lethargy—especially if she’s under 3 months. Otherwise, keeping her nose as clear as possible and offering lots of cuddles should help her feel better in no time.