How to manage chest congestion in infants? – Dr. Shaheena Athif

Infants with respiratory infections usually presents with running nose, cold cough. Cough can be either a dry cough or a wet cough. In small babies, if there is a running nose, there is usually a blocked nose in the nose and this is usually in the night and there is a lot of problem for breathing for the kid. To relieve this, we can start with a plain nasal saline drops can be instilled in both the nostrils and followed by steam inhalation. Steam inhalation opens up the nostrils and also the sinus also opens. It makes the mucus secretion more liquidy and helps the baby to breathe more easily. If there is a chest congestion or if the child has a fast breathing, these are some of the signs and the child has to be taken to pediatrician to check immediately if there is any chest congestion which requires any further medical management. Otherwise at home, you have to use nasal drops, steam inhalation, and you can place the baby at a heightened elevation, that is around 45 degree slanting position so that the secretions to not trickle down and irritate the respiratory mucosa.