THE MISERY

No parent enjoys seeing their baby suffering from a a blocked, congested nose. Ease the discomfort with these tips...

BREAST MILK TO THE RESCUE Breast milk contains amazing immune-boosting properties, as well as leucocytes that fight germs and inhibit bacterial growth. Your antibodies are also passed through breast milk, giving your baby disease-specific immunity. A drop or two of breast milk in the nose can even help ease congestion by loosening the mucus in the nasal passages.

BREATHING EASY Try Karvol’s Decongestant Capsules and Chest Rub from 3 months of age. Simply put a few drops on a tissue, on your baby’s bedding or in the humidifier, and let your baby inhale the vapours. And for babies from six months, you can use the chest rub too.

SUCK IT OUT Sometimes that bunged up nose needs a little extra help getting clean – there are many handy mucus-sucking devices on the market these days. They are completely safe and easy to use. And if you’re having shivers just thinking about it, don’t stress – the mucus doesn’t come anywhere near your mouth. Remember to clean and sterilise the pipe well after use.

USE A HUMIDIFIER Keeping the mucus in the nasal passages thin and moving is vital to eliminate an environment in which germs can grow. Keeping a warm-mist humidifier going at night will keep the air and airways moist and less prone to infection.

HUFF, PUFF AND BLOW THAT NOSE

Make a game of teaching your toddler to really blow his nose free of the mucus blocking things up. Also teach him to sneeze or cough into a tissue and then throw it away immediately – it minimises the chance that he’ll spread those germs around the house.

TRY A SUPPLEMENT If your child is not getting a varied diet – and many toddlers don’t – consider a multivitamin or immune-boosting supplement. Talk to your doctor or clinic nurse first, but there a number of different kinds that boast a health and immune boost. And lastly, eat well, get exercise and fresh air every day and prioritise sleep. ●