4 wk stuffy nose - 4 wk old constantly has a stuffy nose..

darycksmom wrote: My 4 wk old always seems to have a stuffy nose. I suction it out and I can't see any more to get out. I have told the pediatrician and she said it is normal right now.. but I get so worried because it gives him trouble when he's eating... it sounds like its hard for him to breath.. and at night it seems to get worse. He isn't around any smoke or anything.. we do have a shih tzu - does anyone know if he may be allergic to the dog? I'm also worried this may be a sign of asthma.. I know i'm freaking.. i'm a first time mom and scared to death at every little thing.. i still stare at him all night oh yea.. it doesn't sound like it is coming from his chest at all.. which is a really good thing!

PrairieMom replied: It is a very long jump from stuffy nose to asthma. Esp if it isn't coming from the chest. Things you should look for are nasal flaring, do his nostrils open and close when he breaths? Is he breathing faster than 60 times a minute, retracting, or his ribs showing when he breaths, or the skin in his clavicles sucking in when he breaths, of coarse blue fingernails and lips, those are signs that he is in trouble, if he isn't doing those things he is probably fine. Also, a tell tale sign of Asthma is wheezing or a whistling sound when he breaths or a nagging dry hacky cough.

It could be nasal congestion from a dog allergy, you could try keeping the dog away from him for a while, maybe board it for a few days, vacuum out the house wash the bedding in hot water and see if it helps. its an easy way to do a little test.

If the Ped isn't worried I wouldn't worry to much.

MommyToAshley replied: I know what it is like to be a first time Mom and worry at every little thing.

I agree with having a friend or relative take care of the dog for a bit and then clenaing and vacuuming the house. My daughter is older (she just turned 5) but is having a rough time with seasonal allergies. Have you tried a humidifier at in his room at night? This might help to open things up until you figure out what is causing it.

Sam & Abby's Mom replied: Have you tried putting saline drops in your baby's nose a few times aday ? Sometimes, just putting drops in your baby's nose will help --- even without suctioning.

Good luck !

MyBrownEyedBoy replied:
Yep, until you end up with a 3 year old who begs for "nose squirts" whenever he gets a boogie.
Sorry you've got a stuffy little one. It's so hard to hear them struggling when they are trying to eat.

darycksmom replied: thank you all so much... i think i'll try the humidifier and work my way from there until something works... i really appreciate all the responses!

MyBrownEyedBoy replied: You're welcome. Hope the humidifier works.

Boo&BugsMom replied: Aiden had this issue around this time as well. I was told it is normal as well. What I did was elevate the head of his bed, run a dehumidifier, use some baby vick's on his chest, and use saline nose drops and suck it out. Whatever you do...DO NOT give your baby cold medicine, even if it say's "infants" on it.

darycksmom replied: Thank you! I'll be sure not to go with the cold meds.. thanks again!

darycksmom replied: oh.. about saline.. can you spray it up in their nose at a month and 1/2 or let it drip in some how.. i bought the baby nose spray and it says one to 2 drops but it's a spray.. go figure:) can anyone help?

Jamison'smama replied: I put a little towel under their neck to tilt the head back and if you hold the bottle facing down, it should drip---holding the bottle upright it sprays.

Jamison'smama replied: Also, let it sit in the nose for a minute or so then suck it out---let it have a chance to work.

It is frustrating but from what I understand, completely normal at that age.

My kids were c-section and from what I hear, they are usually very snotty for a while---was your son c-section by any chance?

darycksmom replied: He was a vaginal delivery. I hate hearing him sound so stuffy and I feel so helpless to him Bless his little heart it sounds like it is so annoying.. I'm going to try the drops again. Thanks!!