Very snuffly newborn, is there anything I can do except saline drops?

[raisingrrrl]

Dd is a model baby, apart from the fact that she seems to struggle breathing at night, because of having a blocked up nose. She fights for breath at the breast and then gets very windy. Is there anything I can give her except saline drops? I did this with ds but it's so traumatic for a tiny baby, and I've always wondered if it contributed to his strong gag reflex (which made him a nightmare to wean).

TIA

have you tried one of the nasal aspirators? the sucky things that vacuum the snot out?
i have this one here and still use it on my 3 year old who can't blow her nose.

That link goes to a bed protector?

We had a snot sucker thing for ds but it was a bit crap!

sorry, i posted that a minute ago for someone else.
here is the sucker thing here

which one did you try before? i find this one really good.

I think it was a different one - I can remember, even though it was only 2 years ago! I think it was cheaper than that one though, dh got it from work.

How old is your baby? Snufflebabe is good but it is only suitable for babies over 3 months.

Try putting a damp cloth or bowl of water on a radiator in the babies room, that will moisten the air and help clear her nose a bit. Obviously make sure it is no where near the cot. You could try adding a drop or 2 of olbus oil or karvol but I'm not sure what age that is safe from - can someone else check?

and a humidifier esp if she is mostly snuffly at night.

My mother swears by rubbing melted butter on their noses

I used breast milk up DDs nose. It seemed to bother her a lot less than saline. There really isn't much you can do. DD had a blocked nose for three months! Her nose is bigger (she's 5 months) now so it bothers her less. It will get better.

My mum swears by smearing vaseline across the bridge of the nose. Haven't tried it myself though.
Other than that - under three months all you can do is saline drops. It's so frustrating I know - DS had almost a permanent cold from 2 weeks old.

She's only 10 days old! Did the breastmilk work? Someone else told me to try it, will give it a go tonight!

I was about to post vaseline on bridge of nose - it does work, I don't know why.

I was also going to say my top tip for a cold generally, but have just noticed other posts saying snuffle baby is only for 3 months plus.

I will post it anyway for the benefit of older babies - snufflebaby on soles of feet at bed time, with socks over the top. Don't ask why, but it does work.

Otherwise raise head of cot by putting something under the feet.

I had a snot-sucker thing. Similar to Amidaiwish's but smaller I think - just got it at boots. It was brilliant and incredibly satisfying!
A bit of humidity in the room really helps esp if you have the central heating on. Also, steaming up the bathroom for the pre-bed bath can really help sooth stressed nasal passages.

DS got so suffly at about 4 weeks that he had to sleep in his bouncer as this was the only way we could raise his head enough to keep his nasal passages clear and also support his little head and neck. I do feel for you - it's quite distressing to watch isn't it!

got lots of use out of our snot sucker. Called the snucker in our house. When it's bad a couple of saline drops followed by a snuckering. I think Karvol only recomended from 3 months but find it good when they get a bit older

Breastmilk, - happy aiming

@ "snucker".

Going to try breastmilk tonight, failing that will get some saline tomorrow. I think for 10 seconds discomfort (and trauma for me) the night feeds being so much more comfortable is a good trade IYSWIM.

I have the same problem with my 17-day-old. How do you use the breast milk? Sorry to sound dumb but do you put it in a syringe and gently squirt it up the nose?? Thanks!

That's what I did Rosie but mastered the art of just squirting it up there before long. It shifts the gunk very well!

Although Vick says it for 6 months plus, Health Visitor told me its ok to put it on yourself whilst baby feeds. Works for us.