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Original poster

8-month-old has a cold - are vapourisers any good?

32 replies

aitch71 · 22/08/2006 22:07

and if the answer is yes, are there any which are particularly good? DD is a poor wee soul at the moment and keeps on waking up every few hours with a stuffed-up nose. i've tried a bowl of hot water with olbas oil but it doesn't last long.
any thoughts?

OP posts:
LIZS · 22/08/2006 22:10

We have the Boots one and have used it a lot for dd. Also raise the head of her mattress a bit

BudaBabe · 22/08/2006 22:17

Believe it or not but in Eastern Europe they are v. keen on those suction things you use on babies. I used one bought in UK on DS when a baby and it did work. Here in Hungary though they take it to a new level. You buy an "orszivo porszivo" in the pharmacy and connect to your vacumn cleaner and suck the mucous!!! Have done it on DS (4) and he did find it easier!!!!

However - am sure you can't buy in UK but you can buy a squeezy bulb thing that does same job.

Also def raise head - I used to put a pillow under cot mattress.

Squarer · 22/08/2006 22:22

I used the "Nuk" snot sucker (as I called it - think it is more sensibly called a nasal bulb or something). They work well. During the day I used an aromatherapy burner with junior olbas in it, and at night I found the best use for a bottle warmer.. full of water and olbas oil nwext to the cot. Keeps the air humid with a gentle vapour to clear congestion.

MaloryTowersIsSlimAndChic · 22/08/2006 22:25

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
aitch71 · 22/08/2006 22:28

nnnooooooooooooooo i want the one with the hoover attachment. stupid britain with its stupid health and safety laws.

OP posts:
Original poster
aitch71 · 22/08/2006 22:30

PS i have a snot sucker from boots, but she's very quick at getting away from it. it's really just something to stop her from waking up, the poor love. if only i'd wasted my money on a bottle warmer... i could now put it to good use. that is the sort of thing i was thinking of, though, something steamy.

OP posts:
ledodgyrobespierre · 22/08/2006 22:31

I agree with aitch71 but I thought I was the only one that called them snot suckers

krabbiepatty · 22/08/2006 22:33

A proper humidfier is the best thing in the world for a baby with a cold. I can't remember the brand name but the simple big round hot steam one is the best....

Squarer · 22/08/2006 22:58

Aitch.. you can buy snot sucking tubes form boots instead of snot sucking bulbs. I was assured that they have a one way valve on them to avoid any, should we say overzealous sucking accidents by all accounts, but I could not be convinced the valve wouldn't break. Also, if you are considering such things, your baby clearly isn;t old enough to move of his/her own accord. Try again in a month or so. The grip on the old snot sucker will appeal far more
You see, this is the problem. People always bang on about these things you buy for babies that are a complete waste of money, such as bottle warmers. Tis not true. One just has to think laterally!
(prize to Mumsnetter to come up with best alternative use for baby wipes warmer)

Squarer · 22/08/2006 22:59

Ledody.... they should be called Snukkers in my book.

Original poster
aitch71 · 22/08/2006 23:09

it's the tube thing that i have... used to be great but now i would have to institute a pindown regime in order to use it on her which i feel is rather extreme given that she is unwell.

i've been looking up steam vapourisers online, it is bizarrely difficult. the vicks one seems to be the front runner but i can't find much info about it.
does anyone have it?

OP posts:
Squarer · 23/08/2006 19:55

oh, I see!
No. just an avent one here
and "bump" of course

rustybear · 23/08/2006 20:19

I use a Karvol plugin thingy which works really well - on my sinusitis!

potoroo · 23/08/2006 22:42

I think we got a humidifier from Argos - couldn't find it anywhere else. It pumps out steam for about 6 hours and you can add various oils.
Really helped DS from age 3 weeks.

Only one problem - if the room is not well ventilated, the steam condenses and runs down the walls leaving big marks - I can't get rid of them.

Original poster
aitch71 · 24/08/2006 01:36

good to know, i'll look on argos now. and i'll keep the window open...

OP posts:
Coolmama · 24/08/2006 14:31

you could also try saline solution - from a chemist or boots - two drops in each nostril once you have cleared nostril as well as able - also, once you have put the drops in, tilt lo's head back a bit and turn head in the same direction as the nostril you treated - this will help the solution drain into the Eustachean tubes (sp?) and works wonders in preventing cold-related ear infections

Original poster
aitch71 · 24/08/2006 14:33

right. i am going to a big boots this afternoon and i am going to GET THIS SORTED. the child's nostrils won't know what's hit 'em.
thanks all

OP posts:
mimi1uk · 24/08/2006 14:39

run a hot bath and let baby sit in steamed filled room for half an hour (not bath) i used some baby balsam as well that helped mt docs recommendations

Furball · 24/08/2006 15:01

Medised is good for clearing blocked nose - it contains a mild antihistamine and can be taken from 3 months.

UCM · 24/08/2006 17:24

I bought a humidifier from Argos as well and it's brill when we have colds. You can add oil in a little bowl bit on the top.

Original poster
aitch71 · 24/08/2006 21:07

i bought one in argos, as instructed so thank you everyone for your responses. it's made by a company called Bionaire and it costs 34.99. there was a cheaper one but i went for the one that has warm mist... oooh, get me.
anyway, it's been on in the room for a while now and the good news is that she hasn't woken up but i just checked and although you can smell the olbas oil the room doesn't seem in any sense humid. am i being really stupid or is it not working? i'm not expecting it to feel sub-tropical but how do i know if it's actually on properly?

OP posts:
liquidclocks · 24/08/2006 21:57

Aitch - obviously I'm late to this thread but DH wasn't convinced with the 'snukkers' and stong smells liek olbas just make me feel ill so we gotthis stuff called sterimar which you get over the counter at pharmacies. It's a salt water nasal spray - the LO's hate it but it works

UCM · 25/08/2006 09:31

It doesn't exactly make tropical but after it's been on a few hours, you will notice the air in the room being slightly humid. I have the Bionaire one as well. They really work though. Just think if it was like a sauna your wall paper would fall off

Original poster
aitch71 · 25/08/2006 12:34

nah, UCM, i don't think mine is working. there is exactly the same amount of water in it as there was last night... ... trust me to go and get a dud. spent all of last night asking DH 'is it humid in here?' with him going 'It's bloody freeezing, i can tell you that'.
will look into the nasal thingies as well, don't want to get stuck with a miserable baby again...

OP posts:
UCM · 25/08/2006 15:02

Really soppy question, but have you turned it on. Mine has 2 switches on it but 1 is for the light

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