Premmie twins with colds, snowed in - can I make my own saline?

[Weegle]

We can't get to the chemist as we can't get down the drive and we are very rural and NHS Direct won't advise as they are too young (2 wks old, 37+5 adjusted) - just said "call GP" - GP not answering phone... can we make our own saline for their noses before feeds to administer maybe with a syringe? They are really struggling to breathe poor mites. And if so any idea of the salt/water ratio?

[WineBeforePearls]

Argh first attempt didn't post properly (has snow broken MN?)

I would keep trying GP to be on the safe side, but if it were me I'd do about 1tsp salt to 500ml boiled water but I am in no way qualified to give advice!

[Weegle]

Thank you - am keeping trying GP but it just rings off... argh. I'm sure it must be ok - especially if I make sure it's very weak and everything is sterile... but I just feel a bit paranoid because they are so diddy but then not feeding isn't good either!

[cmt1375]

You can use breast milk for the same job if you are breast feeding.

[onadietcokebreak]

Ring the health visitor. She may be able to arrange something for you.

[SparkleandShine]

ok, have just crept into sleeping babys room to get the saline on his window sill

it is 0.9% sodium chloride so 1 part salt to about 99 parts water.

[MorningNicePeople]

Better to do 1 teaspoon of salt dissolved in 1 Litre ( or ½ teaspoon to 500mls) but agree if your breastfeeding a little breast milk is best.

[MorningNicePeople]

Call the peadiatric ward for advice or your neonatal unit.

[Weegle]

thank you everyone - DH just tried HV as well - we haven't been discharged from midwives yet but he's left a message for them to ring us back.

[alypaly]

you need to dissolve 0.9gram in 100 mls of water. That will give you a 0.9%w/v concentation wich is what the saline nasal drops are.
If you arent cinfident doing that,can you get a local chemist to deliver some saline nasal drops to you or a sachet of saline from the district nurses. It has to be that concentration ,then it is isotonic and wont cause irritation