6 week old congestion

[ThelastRolo20]

Hi everyone, looking to get some thoughts on congestion in newborns! Since my daughter was born she's struggled with congestion particularly at night. To the point where she's snorting to get enough oxygen in and it's affecting her sleep (which is the last thing I need!). It can happen in the daytime also but not as bad.

She does have periods of breathing more normally at night but I raised it with the GP at the six week check as I'm worried about mouth breathing. To be honest she was quite dismissive and didn't really address my concerns about the mouth breathing element, only saying to be concerned if her chest goes inwards whilst breathing.

I use saline spray and have a humidifier, neither seem to be doing anything. Any other tips??

Does she have any other symptoms- gut issues? Reflux? Pain?

All 3 of mine did this as newborns, grew out of it after a few weeks. I kept their next to me at an angle (the cot was able to do that with different clicks).

but to add, my 3rd baby has cows milk allergy and is breastfed, so his congestion may have coincided and settled when I sorted that out.

if GP isn’t worried, then I would take reassurance.

@TheRossie123 thank you - no, no other symptoms of reflux etc so I'm hoping it's just one of those things she'll grow out of. If it continues past 12 weeks I think I'll consider lowering milk then to see but I assume I'd see other symptoms such as weird poos etc.

We have a snotty toddler in the house so it could also be a continuous cold at the moment I guess! I've got the cot slightly raised and I've ordered some vapour mist - the last thing I need is another reason for her not to sleep 😅

It's an absolute nightmare. My 2nd was a winter baby and really struggled with this. I had to keep the window open a crack and also tilted the cot. But still got barely any sleep.

Sounds normal to me, all 3 of my newborns were congested, particularly at night. They grew out of it. They lay flat on their back for most of the time, they can't blow their own nose or anything so it's normal for the snot to accumulate and get stuck. You could try some snuffle babe oil in a bowl of warm water in the room.

I'd say by 3 months it was a lot better with all of them, but still not totally gone as they can't blow their own nose or anything after all. My 4 month old still is more congested overnight/first thing in the morning compared to in the day, I guess after many hours of laying flat it all just gets stuck there.

@LegoHouse274 @Wavescrashingonthebeach thanks both, will persevere and hope for an improvement over time. As you can tell I'm currently awake as she's on me 🤦🏻‍♀️

Id like to tell you it gets better...and it does and doesn't at the same time... my 15 month old has been a nightmare tonight screaming on and off to the point I'm worried about what my neighbour will think! Probably thinks I'm leaving the poor child cold and alone whereas in reality he's cuddled up in my bed with me, really trying to get him to stop breastfeeding but it's not happening tonight!
Then just when I'd got him to sleep.... Mummyyyyyyyy from the toddler's room... luckily he took 5 mins to go back to sleep. But now after the last few hours of stress I feel too awake to get back to sleep! Argh!!!! Sigh. Hope your LO sleeps better soon 💐

@Wavescrashingonthebeach they do like to tag team don't they 😂 hope you managed some sleep in the end