Colds are one of the most common baby ailments. Babies catch colds an average of 6-10 times a year. Because newborn babies cannot yet breathe through their mouths, a cold is extra annoying for them. Only when babies are 3-6 months old do they develop the reflex to open their mouth when their nose is closed. Before then, they have to breathe through their nose, even if it is blocked. Because of this, babies often have difficulty breathing when they have a cold. Moreover, the nostrils of a newborn baby are very small: about 2-3 millimeters. This causes the baby’s nose to become clogged very quickly, even if your baby only has a mild cold. To prevent your baby with a cold from becoming short of breath, it is important to keep the nose open. Fortunately, there are various remedies and tips that can help your baby breathe easier. You can use some remedies from birth, but others only from 3 or 6 months.
- Baby nasal spray (from 0 months)
- Baby nose drops (from 0 months)
- Nose cleanser (from 0 months)
- Humidifier (from 0 months)
- Baby care products with eucalyptus (from 3 months)
- Wet tissues (from 3 months)
- LUUF Baby Balm (from 6 months)
- Cough drops for babies (from 6 months)
- Homeopathic remedies
Baby nasal spray (from 0 months)
Only use nasal sprays that are safe for babies
With a baby nasal spray you can moisten your baby’s nose to soften the mucus. This allows the snot to drain better and your baby can breathe easier again. Never use an adult nasal spray on your baby. This usually contains xylometazoline or oxymetazoline. Babies are extra sensitive to the side effects of these substances, such as a stinging sensation in the nose and throat, sneezing, a dry nose, headache and nausea. In rare cases, more serious side effects may also occur, such as palpitations or shortness of breath. Therefore, nasal sprays containing these substances are usually not recommended for children under 2 years of age.
Baby nasal sprays with physiological saline solution
Etos Baby nasal spray
There are special nasal sprays for babies on the market that you can use for children from 0 years of age, such as Otrivin Baby, Etos Baby Nasal Spray or DA nasal spray baby saline. The active ingredient in nasal sprays for babies is usually sodium chloride (table salt). The strength of this physiological saline solution (0.9%) does not irritate your baby’s mucous membranes and skin. This is because it corresponds to the salt content in the body’s own nasal fluid and tear fluid. In rare cases, babies may be sensitive to the preservatives in baby nasal sprays.
Make your own baby nasal spray
Instead of buying a baby nasal spray, you can also make your own saline solution. But the question is whether this is wise. There is a risk that you make a solution with too high a salt content. A saline solution that is too strong can really burn the nose. This can cause your baby to become short of breath or have another severe reaction.
Baby nasal sprays with Xylometazoline or Oxymetazoline
Baby nasal sprays with Xylometazoline or Oxymetazoline have a similar effect. These substances constrict the blood vessels in the nasal mucosa, reducing swelling. These substances help your baby to breathe more easily through the nose again. Despite the increased risk of side effects in babies, there are still baby nasal sprays containing Xylometazoline (such as Xylometazoline Nasal Spray Baby) or Oxymetazoline (such as Nesivine Sine Conservans Baby 0.01%). These contain a lower concentration of Xylometazoline or Oxymetazoline than nasal sprays for adults. In some cases, these nasal sprays are prescribed by the doctor if the cold persists for a very long time. If this is not the case, it is wiser to opt for a saline solution. In addition, nasal sprays containing Xylometazoline or Oxymetazoline should not be used for longer than 7 days, otherwise the mucous membranes may be damaged. This can lead to a chronically stuffy nose.
Baby nose drops (from 0 months)
Once your baby’s cold is over, you are usually left with an opened nasal spray that still contains a lot of liquid. You usually can’t use this the next time your baby has a cold. Because most baby nasal sprays have a short shelf life after first use. As a result, you often have to throw away the remainder.
Otrivin Baby Mondose
Otrivin nasal drops in bottles
As an alternative to baby nasal spray, you can also use baby nose drops. These often come in a package with several mini bottles, each containing a small amount of saline solution. If there are any unopened mini bottles left, you don’t have to throw them away. Baby nose drops have the same effect as baby nasal spray. As with baby nasal spray, it is a physiological saline solution with a concentration of 0.9%. The only difference is the method of application: you drip the saline solution into your baby’s nose, instead of spraying. Baby nose drops can therefore also be a good alternative to a baby nasal spray if it is not possible to spray the saline solution into your baby’s nose. Examples of baby nose drops are Otrivin Baby Mondose and Daro Saline physiological 0.9%.
Nose cleanser (from 0 months)
With a nose cleanser (also called a nose plug or nose pump) you can suck snot from the blocked nose of your baby who has a cold. This way you can help your baby breathe, eat and drink and sleep more easily again. A nose cleaner is hygienic to use. You can put new disposable caps on some types of nasal cleansers every time, while others require constant cleaning. Well-known nose cleaners for babies are the Otrivin Baby Aspirator Nose Cleanser, the Difrax nose cleanser and the Nûby Nose and Ear Cleanser. A nasal cleanser should not be used too often, otherwise the nasal mucosa can become irritated.
Humidifier (from 0 months)
Pros and cons
If the air in the baby’s room is too dry, your baby’s mucous membranes can become irritated and swell. That is why it is important to ensure that the humidity in the baby’s room is high enough. You can do this with the help of a humidifier. Using a humidifier in the baby’s room can also help loosen the thick snot of your cold baby.
A disadvantage of a humidifier is that mold and bacteria can form in it. This mainly happens if you do not change the water every day or do not keep the device clean enough. Bacteria and fungi thrive in old, stagnant water.
Tip: as an alternative to a humidifier, you can also hang containers of water on the heater to keep the air moist. Or place a wet towel over the heater.
Aromatherapy (from 3 months)
You can add essential oils to some humidifiers for aromatherapy. An example of this is the Duux Humidifier. To provide relief from a cold, you can add drops of Duux Aroma Oil Eucalyptus. However, this oil is not suitable for babies with asthma. You should also not use aromatherapy on babies younger than 3 months. A newborn baby can smell very well. This allows the baby to easily recognize his or her mother’s body odor. This is important for the bond between mother and child and for finding the breast. Evaporating an essential oil can disrupt this odor recognition. In addition, essential oils can be irritating to newborn babies.
If you want to use aromatherapy with your baby, make sure that you only use essential oils that are specially made for babies. Otherwise, the concentration may be too high, which could be dangerous for your baby.
Baby care products with eucalyptus (from 3 months)
Kruidvat Baby Eucalyptus Bubble Bath
There are various baby care products with eucalyptus that you can add to the baby bath, such as Zwitsal Breath Free Bath & Wash Gel or Kruidvat Baby Eucalyptus Bubble Bath. Eucalyptus helps to dissolve tough mucus in the airways and make breathing easier. But newborn babies cannot yet cough up the released mucus well enough, because their muscles are not yet developed and exercised enough. It is therefore not recommended to use products with eucalyptus for babies younger than 3 months.
Too high a concentration of eucalyptus can cause babies’ sensitive mucous membranes to swell, causing breathing problems. That is why you should never use a product containing eucalyptus that is not specially made for babies.
Wet tissues (from 3 months)
Babies cannot yet blow their noses. This makes it difficult to keep a baby’s runny nose open and clean. Using cloth handkerchiefs, paper tissues or tissues can cause the skin around your baby’s nose to become very chapped. That is why it is better to use moist tissues. Choose moist tissues that are specially made for babies. Because regular moist tissues often contain ingredients that can irritate sensitive baby skin.
There are different brands of wet tissues for babies, such as Zwitsal and Jackson Reece. Zwitsal Breath Free Moist Tissues contain a hint of oil, which ensures that the skin around your baby’s nose does not dry out. It also contains chamomile and eucalyptus extracts, which help relieve cold symptoms. Tip: don’t like chemical ingredients in baby products? Then choose Jackson Reece Nose Nuzzles. These moist tissues contain only plant-based and organic ingredients. So it contains no substances such as alcohol, parabens, perfume or lanolin. Moreover, they are chlorine-free and biodegradable.
Zwitsal Breath Free Moist Tissues
LUUF Baby Balm
LUUF Baby Balm (from 6 months)
LUUF Baby Balm is a mild cold balm that has been specially developed for babies. You can rub this ointment on your baby’s chest, back and neck. It is the only cold balm that does not contain menthol. Inhalation ointments that do contain menthol, such as Dampo, should not be used on babies.
LUUF Baby Balm naturally relieves the sensitive airways of babies. The ointment contains volatile oils and aromatic substances, namely camphor, majoram oil, eucalyptus oil and turpentine oil. These are released by body heat and provide relief from cold symptoms when they are inhaled.
Read the package leaflet carefully before applying LUUF Baby Balm to your baby. For example, this cold balm should not be used for babies who have respiratory problems. Such as asthma or bronchitis. Furthermore, babies who are hypersensitive to certain ingredients may develop a rash from this ointment.
Sometimes you come across the tip to rub LUUF under the feet of babies who have a cold and are younger than 6 months old. Never do this without first consulting your doctor.
Cough drops for babies (from 6 months)
There are also cough syrups for babies for sale. However, its use is controversial, as dangerous side effects can occur in rare cases.
An example of a cough syrup for babies is Daro thyme syrup, which contains a plant extract of thyme. This remedy has a soothing effect on the throat and respiratory tract. Daro thyme syrup is suitable for children from 6 months to 2 years. This cough syrup should only be given to a baby under 6 months on doctor’s advice.
Homeopathic remedies
There are also all kinds of homeopathic remedies for colds in babies. However, these are difficult to find. This is because since July 1, 2012, it is no longer allowed to state on the label what the product is intended for, unless its effect has been scientifically proven. It is therefore best to contact the manufacturer to ask what remedies they have for colds in babies.
Examples of homeopathic remedies are Cinuforce nasal spray baby and child from A. Vogel, Nisykind nasal spray from VSM and Tussikind syrup from VSM.
