Help: non-stop-crying snot-filled baby!

[Ko]

oh dear, baby ko has cried non-stop for an hour as he is filled with snot and can't get it out. has vomited as he is crying so much.

started with a tickly cough last night. usually he gets a runny nose after, but this cold seems to have thicker snot which is just stuck in there. can hear how congested he is.

any suggestions please??? do those things work where you suck out the snot? can i get one from sainsburys do you think?

any advice very much appreciated x

[Fuschia]

How old is he?

[Fuschia]

I think I'd be inclined to give some calpol and share a hot bath together, if it was me (with the lights low and no toys but lots of cuddles) and then see if he can drop off to sleep on your shoulder, held a bit upright.

If he sleeps in a cot, try propping the head end up on a book. You could try creating some steam in the room with karvol or olbas oil (bowl of hot water well out of reach)

[Ko]

sorry forgot to asay he's 10 months old! had calpol about an hour ago and am hoping he drops off soon as he normally goes to bed around now.

[anna_r]

The NUK snot sucker ('nasal aspirator') works really well on my daughter...if I can get her to stay still long enough. You might be able to get at Sainsburys, otherwise the pharmacy on Forest Hill Road definitely sells them (I've bought two there) and will be open tomorrow.

[redjam]

I never had any joy with those snot-sucky things (plus the whole concept of them is utterly revolting). But yes, a good dose of Calpol always seems to work wonders. Good luck, sounds miserable...

[supergolden88]

Put a few (or a lot!) of Olbas in the sink then run hot water until it gets really steamy in bathroom and then sit with baby (or go in the bath) for a while. Also put olbas near his pillow in cot, raise mattress. A humidifier works well too

The nose aspirators work for me but I have to get them from my parents in Greece - have not found one slim enough here that works

[Ko]

thank you for all the tips - you are stars!!! the vomiting has got rid of the mucus in his throat and he has eventually stopped crying. got a nuk snot sucker from sainsburys, some saline drops plus some karvol to put on pillow. i will also try the steam suggestions and raising the bed tonight sounds a good idea.

many thanks xxx

[candj]

You could also try saline drops up his nose to thin out his snot so that it can drip out or use suction bulb. Holding him down while you get the drops in may be another story. I also use LOADS of Olbas oil in a giant pasta pot of hot water and place it under their cots (out of reach obviously) which works well. What your baby needs is a good sneeze to get everything out of his nose.

[ludoscotts]

hi I second the head end of the cot up on books or towel rolled up under the mattress really helps having head raised and was just about to say about the olbas oil in bowl under cot, worked a treat for us.

[Moos]

You can get good stuff that essentially squirts a fine mist of seawater up even a tiny nose, and encourages it all to run out. Works really well.

Will go and look it up and come back to you.

[SR]

I also vote for saline drops. .I do use the Nuk but have limited my usage since the doctor told me that her little nose is very sensitive and doesn't need the suction/anything up ther just wipe what does come out.

[linzkg]

Those plug in wall Karvol things are fantastic too - I've used them for my little boy - to make matters worse he's always slept on his tummy - but they really do work and definitely helped keep him clear through the night.

[Gussy]

Hi I'm going through the same thing. Poor man was crying for 3 hours last night. Tried everything as mentioned above, he has also cut his first tooth. I think there's a bug going around or its the first of the winter season of many! I've got it now too. Here's hoping it passes soon. The worst bit is when they can hardly feed because their nose it blocked up :(

Another tip is to put Olbas oil on the radiators (when you turn them on obviously!) or soak a flannel or hand towel in a fair bit of water and add a few drops to it and then put it on the radiator - it will keep the vapour coming all night....

[dulwichmum]

It is such a shame that Medised is no longer recommended for children under 6. It was a miracle worker with babies suffering with symptoms like this. Not only is it a painkiller (contains paracetamol it has an antihistamine in it that dries up secretions and aids sleep - I would have bought you a bottle myself if it was still recommended. I think that Medised saved my sanity - or did it...

[candj]

I agree 100% with the Medised Dulwichmum. It was and still is a life saver for us. I think the problem was that because it made children drowsy some parents constantly gave it to their children or gave too much and they overdosed and died. I still use it on my younger child when she's really ill because I remember the dosage for when they were that young, but obviously I only use it as a last resort.

[Pickle]

Medised was a life saver for us too - it was still licensed for 6 months and over when I had my son, and I still have some old packaging with the dosage...

[Fuschia]

I think you can give piriton after a certain age which is another antihistamine. Also various types of tyxilix which vary by age but some of them are cold relief formulations.

If a baby with a cold is very miserable, i'd get the dr to look in their throat and ears in case of an infection.

[Ko]

thank you for all the responses - much appreciated.

moos - had a look on the internet and is the spray called sterimar spray?

baby ko has a proper runny nose now which is better as at least the snot is coming out!

[Moos]

Yes, that's it - have to admit I didn't find it until Moosling was about 2, so never tried it on a baby, but I think it would be v. useful. It is suitable for babies.

[Ko]

thanks! will definitely get some for next time... x

[Gussy]

Hi I use Sterimar and its ok, not a miracle cure though. Firstly the aerosol spray is a bit forceful for a little tiny nose. Little man cries when I spray it up his nose and when I do it to myself I know what he means! He then chokes a bit as it runs down his throat. I then go at him with the snot sucker thing and he hates that too. All a bit traumatic, so I've tended to stick to just wiping his nose. My daughter has just figured out how to blow (she's 23 months) so its a long wait! We're down to dry greenies now, so hopefully we are nearing the end. Poor babies!

[The Nappy Lady]

Medised was a lifesaver here too when DD1 was little, I was gutted when I found out the guidelines had changed by the time DD2 was born.

[Ruth_Baldock]

That Olbas oil in the bathroom to create a 'steam room' effect is a LIFESAVER! Thankyou! Baby S has a runny snout at the moment but that sorted him out nicely. My Mum did the same for me with lavender oil to relax me before bedtime, which also apparantly works a treat too!