Advice needed - baby cannot breathe through nose

[Amberc]

DS (3 weeks)would not sleep last night as he cannot breathe through his little nose and doesn't breathe through his mouth (is this a newborn baby thing?). He is so congested I tried everything, saline drops in the nostrils, the nasal aspirator, held him up, raised the head end of his bed but to no avail. He was screaming and thrashing with frustration and went the most awful purple colour. DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY ADVICE AS I NEARLY TOOK HIM TO A&E Went to HV last week and took him to docs and they said saline drops but the congestion is much further up in his head

suck it out

Its very difficult.

I used to buy my DC the plug in things. I also used to try to create lots of steam in the bedroom. (towels on radiators and hanging around doors etc)

Another tip was to steam every few hours throughout the day. For this I used to lock me and baby in the kitchen and turn on all pots and pans. (May be easier if you have a power shower).

I know you will be very upset just now but my one of my dc had terrible respiratory problems and you will get throught it.

Lots of baby olbios oil in bedroom on sheets etc. Not to close to baby though. Good luck.

I tried everything mentioned here and nothing helped very much although the steam was better than nothing. Eventually the paed gave me a prescription for bactroban for what turned out to be a minor inflammation in the nostrils. Improved things within 24 hours.

FWIW I also nearly gave myself a brain haemmorhage using one of those sucky things.

I did use the sucky thing but it only gets out what's in the nostrils but if the congestion is in the sinuses then you are screwed (got a good one and it did get a bit out but no more than tht). Will try steam and baby olbas. thanks

I found this link which is quite good for advice re steaming etc.

We are doing similar for our baby (who is getting over whooping cough but caught the cold as well ).

Good luck.