2 Week Old Baby with a Stuffy Nose??? Is It Possible?

Updated on December 06, 2010
J.P. asks from Tempe, AZ
15 answers

Hi ladies! My baby girl is 2 weeks old and I just noticed tonight that she's snorting a lot and her breathing through her nose sounds congested. Is it possible for a baby this little to have a cold? She's breastfed, is it possible there's something in my milk she's allergic to like dairy? What causes a stuffy nose in such a new baby? What can I do about it? I have an electric snot sucker but I haven't attempted to use it yet, the suction bulb doesn't seem to be removing anything. Should I get a humidifier? Poor little peanut, I feel bad for her!!!

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K.P.

answers from Seattle on

It is possible she just has a mild cold, I wouldnt worry about allergies just yet. They have these great saline drops, they work great for my little love. They are called "Little Noses Saline Drops" Put a few drops in her nose, then wait a minute then try the sucky thing, works good.

Congrats on the new baby!

3 moms found this helpful

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C.R.

answers from Kansas City on

I would get a cool mist humidifier to put where baby sleeps. I also would try the blue snot sucker from the hospital with a little "Little Noses" Saline in her nose.
When my youngest daughter was 12 days old we had to take her to the Urgent Care because she was all stopped up. Nothing I did helped and she was having a hard time breathing because babies don't know how to breathe through their mouths. While we were there they used some suction thing and got a lot of it out. They also sent it to be tested for RSV. Luckily it came back fine! If she is not doing better I would take her to the doctor Monday morning unless you feel you need to sooner. You can always call your baby's doctor and see what they think. I know it is the weekend but they should have a doctor on call.

2 moms found this helpful

S.P.

answers from Los Angeles on

Please do not use the electric snot sucker.
Ewwwwww.
If you have the little blue bulb thingie from the hospital,
use that very gently, very slightly,
after putting just a little saline water into her nostrils,
one at a time.

2 moms found this helpful
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J.L.

answers from Pittsburgh on

My son was the same way for a couple of months after he was born. I was very concerned about it because he really sounded like he couldn't breath. The doctor assured me that it was normal and was just fluid left over from being in the womb (seemed like a lot of fluid!!!!) Even though he always slept in his own room, he would wake us at night because his snoring was so loud. For a few weeks, I actually had him sleep in his carrier and that seemed to help him a L.. I would pad the carrier with blankets and he couldn't move so I didn't worry about him falling out. I just put the carrier in his crib and slept pretty well in it. I only did that for a L. while though because I didn't want him to not be able to sleep flat in his bed. I would talk with your pediatrician just to rule anything out though.

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M.H.

answers from Albuquerque on

Was she birthed via c-section? I've read that babies "removed" versus going through the birth canal tend to have more congestion/stuffiness due to not being squeezed out. Sounds weird I guess but a thought...

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D.S.

answers from New York on

Try some saline and then suction out what you can. My son did the same thing he sounded like a little piggy snorting. Eventually, whatever was up there I was able to loosen and get out.

J.B.

answers from Houston on

awww, so sorry to hear it!! Yeah, a little on can get stuffy. Mine did! I used a humidifier and saline and a suction bulb. I didn't have electric, just a regular one, but it worked fine. Hang in there!! These winter babies have it a lil tougher. Mine was born last January and took some licks early on and was also breastfed. But after that first lil cold, he was perfect. Good luck!!

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S.C.

answers from Phoenix on

I'm sure you've gotten this answer many times already, but I'll say it anyway. Squirt some saline (Little Noses is a good one, but make sure it's the pure stuff, not the kind that's a medicated "decongestant") up each nostril and then wait for a couple of minutes before sucking with the bulb. The large, rubber one they gave you at the hospital works best, but you should be able to find something similar at a drug store.

NOT this one (which has the suction power of an asthmatic gnat): http://www.amazon.com/Ezy-Dose-Nasal-Aspirator-Infants/dp...

THIS one: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001B9SJX4/ref=pd_lpo_k2...

The one thing I've always done that seemed to work well is holding one nostril shut while I suck out the other. That really seems to make a HUGE difference in what I'm able to clear out. :-)

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H.A.

answers from Dallas on

Get a bulb syringe and some nasal saline -- a few drops in each nose and use the bulb to suck the snot out. Babies this young can't blow their nose.. and they don't realize they can breath through their mouth.

My son is 4 weeks old and he had congestion for 2 weeks. He wasn't a big fan of the bulb but it works and gives immediate relief.

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R.D.

answers from Kansas City on

'Tis the season for stuffy noses! Put a humidifier in her room and make sure it stays clean (no mold or dust!)!! Cool mist humidifiers are safest so they don't get burned by the steam, but you still need to be sure it is not pointed directly AT her. Near her is okay.

If you already have a warm air humidifier, go ahead and put it in the room to get moisture in the air. She is too young to be reaching up for it and pulling it over on her or holding her face or hand over the steam. Just be sure it is far enough away that it doesn't blow on her. IN the room is good enough. You can use the saline drops also. One or two drops, wait a little while, then gently use the sucker thingy.

I don't think she is allergic to your milk. Breast milk actually helps REDUCE the risk of allergies - and the longer you nurse the better for your baby! Best wishes to you and your little peanut!

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L.L.

answers from Tucson on

First I think you need to breathe hehe, you must be a great mom to be paying such close attention :) My daughter was allergic to dairy from the get go and her nose never go stuffy. And just from my experience the nasal bulb they give you in the hospital has always been the best for us at getting snots out. I am not too sure about a humidifier, we have our ups and down with them still. Sometimes they work and sometimes they don't. Hope this helps and that your baby feels better soon!

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B.B.

answers from New York on

Yup, newborns can definitely get a cold. Congestion is also a sign of reflux. However, I think you would be posting about more severe symptoms if that were the case!

I agree with the other ladies - saline and bulb syringe, humidifier and have her sleep in an incline.

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R.J.

answers from Seattle on

Of course newborns can get sick. They can catch anything you can catch, more really, since they have under developed immune systems (part of why newborns are kept secluded most of the time... whenever I see a newborn at the mall I say my prayers for that baby). If she's sounding sick call your doctor and ask when to bring her in.

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M.S.

answers from San Francisco on

Absolutely it is possible! My daughter caught a cold from my son in her first week home. Watch her closely and keep her nose unplugged as best as possible. Poor baby!

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N.S.

answers from Philadelphia on

Infants do tend to sound congested during sleep time (at least mine did). A humidifier is always good (as long as it doesn't get funky). The snot sucker thing can irritate nasal passages, so be careful about using that. You can try a wedge under her for when she sleeps. In the hospital, they propped my newborn at a 30 degree angle. Also, she could be allergic to dairy in your milk, but I think you will find other symptoms if that was the case. Why not check in with your Dr during office hours? You can use saline solution too to flush out the nose, but I'd say stay cautious about that. Can you see her ribs when she is breathing or do her nostrils flare? That's when you know she is really having problems breathing. HTH and hope her breathing isn't too labored.

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