Runny/stopped up Nose in 2 Yrd Old

I have lived through both of these and I agree with KP about the speech. Ease up for now. The speech therapy will help tremendously. Keep talking about what you do and what he is seeing throughout the day. My daughter started speech class at 2 1/2 and was dismissed on her third birthday. It was only once a week and her speech didn't really improve until about two months into class but it all came along.
Now the nose, he might be miserable because of a possible ear infection. Take his temp. Maybe a little baby tylenol or motrin to ease the pain. Warm bath, have him sit in the bathroom while you shower as well - more steam. Saline and suction is great if you can do it. This is out there but I have taken my daughter to the chiropractor and I really wish I had started sooner. Here's some info:
http://www.bloomingtonchiro.com/families/children

Hang in there.

I would saline and suction him anyway. Hell feel better afterward. Tell him this in a calm way before you start and no matter how much he screams keep talking in a calm manner. It only takes afew seconds. You'll both survive and feel better.So...one more nasty thing to do this morning then I hope you both have a better day,

When you start asking you child to use words, be sure that he knows what words match what objects. You should TALK TALK TALK ! Constantly point to things and tell him what they are. I'm sure that he has already learned many things, but kids generally love to learn new words and names. Don't be afraid to use bigger words and ask him "can you say that?" The more talking and asking you do, the more talking and asking he will do. Soon he will be showing off his new vocabulary!

I can only give advice for the stuffy nose. Try a warm bath with Johnson's Soothing Vapor Bath. This works well at opening up my son's sinuses and making his nose run so I can wipe it for him. I also rely on saline for my 2 1/2 year old's stuffy noses. He does not cooperate and he is a big boy for his age (38", 37 pounds) so I literally have to sit on him. I lay him on the floor and straddle him. I hold his head still with one hand while I quickly squeeze the saline into his nose with the other hand. I feel like this sounds cruel but it was the recommendations on the Little Noses Saline box and it does work. My son is typically laughing by the time we are done so I guess it doesn't upset him that badly :)

I know what you mean about them not being able to blow their nose. I would give him a warm bath and let him sit there for a while. Sometimes the steam will help with the boogers. Usually,with my son they start coming out of his nose and I wipe his nose while he is in the tub or squeeze his nose gently and sometimes get the boogers out. He is cranky because he is sick. Give him some zyrtec before he goes to bed this will help with the congestion and the runny nose. I do not think that you are a bad parent because you ask him to use his words. Tell him he is not a baby and he needs to tell you if he needs something. Best of luck and Merry christmas to you too!!!

awww depending on how bad he feels i would wait to start enforcing the word usage until he feels a little better. it sucks when you're sick and the last thing you want to do is learn something new. it might go a lot better if you wait til he's healthy and THEN start being the tough mom :) good luck and i hope he feels better soon!

my 17 month old is also in speech therapy and her speech therapist said to encourage her to use her words but if you know what she wants give it to her before she gets to frustrated. For example if she wants her drink hold the cup next to your mouth and repeat the word many times trying to get her to ask for it but go ahead and give it to her before she starts crying or whining for it.

My son is 3 years old and can't figure out how to blow his nose and refuses to let me suction it too. It is frustrating! We just wipe his nose often. My doctor told me I could give my children triaminic nighttime cold and cough (I give my son 1 teaspoon and my daughter 1/2 teaspoon when they have cough/runny noses) I would call your doctor and ask since the media poo-poos otc cough medicines in children under 4. I have been giving it to my son and daughter since they were about 18 months old and it has saved us many trips to the dr. office. I do use it primarily when they have a cough, but it does help with runny nose symptoms too. It is worth checking with your doctor. Does he have allergies or sinus issues? My son does so on occasion I will give him zyrtec during the day.
As far as your son's speech, have you tried using picture cards or photos of different everyday items? This way he could point to things and it would give you an opportunity to say the word for him and try to get him to say it as well. You can check with a teacher supply store for ready made cards or make your own. Your son's speech therapists may also give you some ideas as well. Hope this helps!
A.

I bet ut us allergies. It could even be a mild allergy to milk.

I hate to even metion acidophilus because it has tripled in price this year, but probiotics to keep your child healthy could go a long way to relieve his distress. Taking it in pill form is much more effective than yogurt because there is nothing to coat your stomach. I freeze oregano & add it to soups & eggs in the winter. This seems to keep me healthy. More yummy than dried.
You could boil a pot of water in the kitchen while he colors at the table or have him hold a warm washcloth to breath through.
The more you talk, the better he will talk, unless he can't hear properly.

Avoiding dairy products can sometimes help reduce mucous production.

I agree with the folks who suggested talking a lot yourself to help your son's speech. Also, my daughter is a bit older but has a fairly low frustration tolerance and we often tell her, "Instead of crying, you could say, "Can I have xyz, please,"" or whatever verbage is appropriate. She typically repeats what we have said, getting a chance to practice it. With your son, as you give him what you know he wants, you might remind him that next time he could say, "Milk," or whatever. In that way you teach him what words to use, rather than just telling him to use words.

You're not a bad, passive parent. You just needed to get learn some other skills, just as your son does, just as we all do. If you were a bad passive parent you wouldn't have reached out to speech therapist and the other moms for help! You probably know that, but I just thought it was worth saying.

Benadryl is ok for a 2 y.o. Your pediatrician can tell you the dosing or 1/2-1 teaspoonful (2.5-5 ml) depending on his weight. This will help only with drying up his nose/mucus. It is a drowsy anti-histamine so it will help him sleep. At night time and nap time a cool-mist humidifier will help. For congestion, like other mothers have stated: warm bath, steam up the room from a warm shower, or the saline nasal drops/suction. There is a vapor rub that is eucalyptus only (not the menthol) that you can rub on his chest for nap/bedtime to help open up his nasal passages.

I have tried to use some very simple sign language techniques with my 18 month old to help us communicate. It helps when she is cranky and not willing to try and say the word. But pointing to the "hurt" etc. helps.