Did you know that a newborn baby cannot breathe through his mouth except when it cries? Not until they turn three or four months old, babies have not developed the reflex to open their mouth if they have a blocked nose, that is why we must be very careful to keep their nose clean, eliminating the annoying phlegm.
Is phlegm normal?
Newborns have such small and delicate nasal passages (2 to 3 millimeters wide) that a tiny mucus or phlegm can be a big nuisance for them. Mayo Clinic Pediatrician Dr. Lee Johnson responds to Baby Creysi, “Phlegm is normal in all humans, including babies. Babies have smaller upper nasal passages, so phlegm collects in the nose and often makes breathing worse at night. Babies always breathe through their noses (unless they are screaming or crying!)”. But there is a good and important reason for having mucus, as long as it does not cause discomfort to our little one. Nina Shapiro, Director of Pediatric Otolaryngology at Mattel Children’s Hospital UCLA, explains on her blog, “Think of your baby’s precious nose as a greenhouse: it needs moisture, heat, air filtration, ventilation, and vegetation. The mucous lining of the nose provides moisture. This lining has tiny glands that supply the wet, slippery mucus that prevents the nose from turning into a crusted desert and allows air to flow freely”. “Body temperature and the small dark space in the nasal cavity provide warmth. Filtering is accomplished by both tiny hairs in the nose and slippery mucus (vegetation), so dust and dirt are not directly breathed into the lungs. Hair and mucus trap and accumulate particles and filter them from the air your baby breathes. Ventilation is provided by the open nasal passage that connects the outside world with the back of the nose”.
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What can I do if my baby has a lot of phlegm or mucus? How can I to remove them?
“If your baby sounds very phlegmatic, it is good to suck the nose with a bulb syringe. Make sure to seal your little one’s nostril well (for the suction to work), and you may need to suck multiple times”, says Dr. Lee, who is a pediatrician at Mayo Clinic Health System in La Crosse Wisconsin, USA.
It is better to use the rubber syringe to wipe the baby’s nose before feeding and going to sleep. Follow these steps:
- Hold the baby with the head slightly tilted back.
- Press the round base of the bulb syringe with your thumb.
- Gently insert the tip of the bulb syringe until it is tight against the baby’s nose.
- Gently insert the tip of the bulb syringe until it is tight against the baby’s nose.
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Before using the bulb syringe, use baby saline solution
Saline solution does not contain any dangerous chemicals or drugs, so it is safe to use in newborns as often as needed. “Put the baby a few nasal drops of saline solution on each side of the nose before sucking to help thin the mucus”, adds the specialist.
When you put the saline solution on your baby, do it in an upright position, so that he does not feel the saline solution going down his throat. Most of the saline solution will drip back, but some will go where it is needed.
Use the bulb syringe carefully when extracting phlegm
Dr. Lee warns that sucking too often with the bulb syringe “can worsen congestion and can also cause the mucous membranes of the nose to swell or bleed”, so you must be very careful.
“After using the bulb syringe, wash it in warm soapy water. Rinse it well and squeeze it to remove all the water that may remain inside”, adds the pediatrician.
On the other hand, Dr. Shapiro adds, “While the bulb syringe is a good aid, I would advise against frequent use. Most newborns are congested because their delicate nasal tissues are slightly swollen. The pressure from the bulb syringe will only cause more swelling and more congestion. If you don’t see any drops of mucus coming out, stay away from the bulb syringe and try the saline solution first. If there is a lot of mucus, you can do a gentle flush (quick little puffs), that will help your baby get rid of the mucus”.
Another option: the humidifier
A cool-mist humidifier in the baby’s room can also help, especially at night. Make sure to read the instructions on the best way to keep your humidifier clean and avoid using menthol or medicinal additives in the water tank.
The grunting and snorting a baby makes when his nose is stuffy may sound terrible, but before freaking out, take a look at your baby’s general condition. If he makes those noises, but is eating well, sleeping soundly, gaining weight, and looking good, you don’t have to worry. It is likely to be for a short time.
However, if you see that he has other symptoms, or that he still has a lot of phlegm, mucus that runs off and it annoys your child, go to your pediatrician to evaluate him for a possible cold or something else. Always remember: CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR.
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Don’t forget to use a bib to keep your baby from getting wet during nasal cleansing.
Translated by: Ligia M. Oliver
