3 Month Old Sick for 3 Weeks

I use a warm mist as well and found it worked better for DS. The first winter though my DS was non-stop snotty nose even when nothing else seemed to be wrong. however, along with the colds/flu etc we also found out that it is a symtom of acid reflux. as the milk is regergitated (sp?) it can come into the nasal cavity making them sound congested. Just a thought, if he had any other symptoms.

Otherwise we did lots of sleeping sitting up in the lazy boy chair! The saline I also found at both Walgreens & CVS...but homemade sounds easy!

You can make your own saline solution - just dilute 1 tsp of salt with 1 cup of warm water. I use a medicine dropper to get one drop into each nostril. Also, to help with the breathing at night, I've slept sitting up on the couch with my babe resting against my chest. It's tricky, not *entirely* safe (baby could flop over onto the floor, etc) but that's the only way for us sometimes. I also use a warm mist humidifyer. Apparently the only reason cool mist ones are recommended is because the warm mist ones get too hot and could scald a child. The warm mist works better. My 11 week old daughter has been sick with the same cold you're describing for about 2 weeks now *sigh*

Good luck and hope your little guy gets better soon.

There is an infant version of the saline, I believe the brand name is Little Noses, they have them at any walgreens.
T.

I have used AYR, and you could try a netty pot, but it will be hard to do with him that young. GOOD FOR YOU for sticking with the BFing! Have you thought that it could be a mold allergy? With it being the winter months, maybe your furnace was dirty? There is a free program (if you are under the financial guidelines.) Try calling THE HEALTHY HOME PROGRAM ###-###-####. GOOD LUCK!

Any saline will work -just drip into his nose. Too much sucking can irritate and cause the body to produce more mucus to alleviate the irritation. Also elevate his crib mattress/sleeping place if you can so he sleeps more upright. Even let him sleep in the car seat if that will let the mucus drain. I am a big fan of a warm mist humidifier as well - and when you shower take him in the bathroom w/ you (I put mine in her vibrating chair) and block the door and steam up the room - it really will loosen the congestion. Glad there is no fever... hope he feels better soon. My son was perpetually congested - and later Dx with allergies to milk and pollen (4 mos). He's much better now, but seemed constandly congested for the first 2 years of life...

That first cold always is the worst on Mama!
Will he sleep in a more upright position, such as in his swing or bouncy seat? I always did this for my babies when they had a cold, it is a safer position for them. If his nose is so irritated that you are getting some blood, I would ease up on the suctioning. You could definately use saline nasal spray too. My pediatrician told me to actually use it as the spray and not drops- she said a drop or 2 of saline won't do anything to break up the gunk. My youngest actually loved it - he's a goober.
A good trick I learned also was to steam up the bathroom and sit in there with baby for a little while. It should start his nose draining a bit and moisten it up. I also slather vicks baby rub on their feet under their PJ's. I don't remember how young mine when I first tried the vicks though, so you may not want to. Winter colds are the pits. They typcial cold lasts 3 to 4 weeks and then they get another one, so they are literally non-stop colds all winter, or at least it seems that way.

Yes, just buy the kids version of saline spray in any pharmacy or Target. Sometimes it's in the baby aisle and sometimes it's with the adult stuff. I would have him sit up while you spray it though, if he's laying down it feels funny! The suggestion of using a warm mist is also good. I would do it only a night b/c you don't want to run the warm one all day just for mold/mildew reasons. It's not a big deal if you're only doing it for a few days, but long term warm mist humidifiers can cause problems with that issue, so I would just do it while he's sleeping. Vicks is also a good suggestion, but make sure you buy the Baby Vicks. I think 3 months is old enough but you might check with the pharmacist to make sure.