Baby Chest Congestion: Signs, Symptoms, Causes, And Home Treatment

Does your baby have wheezing, flared nostrils, or belly breathing sometimes? Do all these make your baby uncomfortable? Does your child not eat, sleep or take the feed because of the running nose, cold and cough? This is all due to chest congestion.

Chest congestion is a condition when extra fluids accumulate in the nose and airways. This leads to difficulty in breathing and cause running nose, cold, and cough.

By, the end of the article we will focus on all about baby chest congestion, and what causes baby chest congestion. Moreover, we will also focus on home remedies that help to get rid of baby chest congestion.

What Is Chest Congestion In Babies?

As I said above, chest congestion is a condition when extra fluids accumulate in the nose and airways. This leads to difficulty in breathing and causes running nose, cold, and cough. There is excess mucus in the lungs, bronchi, and trachea.

During chest congestion, the respiratory system is lined with cells that produce sticky mucus and traps pathogens with other foreign bodies. Chest congestion is an infection or the entry of the foreign body.

As per the studies, if the baby is taking more than 60 breaths per minute or they are struggling to catch up with their breathing, then you have to take an emergency call immediately.

[Read: Bronchitis In Babies]

What Causes Baby Chest Congestion?

Let’s have look at some of the factors that lead to newborn baby chest congestion-

1. Infection:

This is the primary cause of the baby’s chest congestion. The pathogens can trigger the excess production of mucus in the body. There are certain infections like the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), (R) that can cause cold related chest congestion among babies.

2. Allergy:

Allergies easily catch up to the babies due to the immature immune system. The excess secretions of mucus in the upper respiratory system lead to allergy in babies. There are certain allergies that cause excess secretion of mucus in the lungs causing asthma and allergic rhinitis.

3. Low Immunity:

As I mentioned above, low immunity in babies can make it hard for the baby to fight with infection in the body. The baby’s immunity is very low as compared to adults. As a result, this can cause chest congestion in babies.

[Read: 10 Foods To Boost Immune System of your kids]

4. Pre Mature Birth:

In case of the premature baby, the immune system is low as compared to normal children. That is the main reason behind the infection that a baby gets because of the persistent chest congestion.

5. Expose To Irritants:

The exposure to irritants like smoke, dust, etc. can lead to chest congestion.

6. Genetic Ailments:

Infants with conditions such as cystic fibrosis (R) have more than normal secretion of mucus in the lungs which can further contribute to the condition of chest congestion.

Symptoms Of Chest Congestion In Babies:

Here are some of the signs and symptoms of chest congestion that is observed in babies. They are-

• Wheezing
• Coughing
• Excessive mucus in the mouth
• Poor appetite
• Fussiness
• Grunting (R)
• Snoring or noisy breathing while asleep
• Sniffling
• Noisy or more noticeable breathing
• Snoring when asleep
• Mild difficulty when feeding
• A blocked nose
• A runny nose

When To Worry About Chest Congestion in Babies?

If the condition of chest congestion doesn’t get well in a couple of days and the baby is under 3 months old, then consult a doctor. You can also consult a doctor if you see certain sign of including-

• Panicked look
• Grunting or moaning at the end of each breath
• Flaring nostrils
• Ribs pulling in on each breath
• Breathing too hard or fast
• The baby is unable to feed
• Blue tint to skin moreover on nails and lips

How To Get Rid Of Baby Chest Congestion At Home?

Home remedies are always an amazing mean of giving comfort and care to the baby to treat chest congestion. Sometimes with the help of home remedies, you will able to relieve baby chest congestion.

Some of them are as follows-

1. Nasal Saline Drop For Chest Congestion:

This is one of the simple and easy steps to be covered at home in order to get rid of baby chest congestion. This helps to loosen up the mucus and makes breathing easier and more comfortable from the stuffy nose.

For this, you can buy a saline drop, some saltwater or breast milk. You have to administer few drops of his solution in each nostril and then remove the mucus using a bulb syringe.

Note: This works great for 6 months old babies.

2. Give More Fluids For Chest Congestion:

Keeping the baby hydrated is one of the best home remedies to get rid of baby chest congestion. Liquids are mucolytics which help in thinning out secretions like mucus.

As per Mayo Clinic, drinking enough fluid helps to prevent dehydration due to fever.

For this, you enhance your fluid intake in the body as much as you can. You can give breast milk, soups, juices, etc.

3. Steam For Chest Congestion:

This is one of the easiest and safest home remedies for chest congestion in babies. This gives immediate relief from chest congestion. For the maximum effects, just make sure that you close the door and window.

All You Need:

1. A bowl of hot water
2. A few drops of any essential drop (optional)
3. A towel

How To Do:

1. First of all, fill a large bowl with hot water
2. If you want to add the essential oil, then add a few drops
3. Lean over the bowl and drape a towel over the head
4. Gently inhale the steam to loosen the mucus.
5. Do it for 10-15 mins

How often:

1. Do it multiple times in a day.

4. Garlic Ointments For Chest Congestion:

Garlic is rich in antimicrobial properties. It is a triple threat to pathogens, killing bacteria, viruses, and fungal infections.

All You Need:

1. Garlic
2. Coconut Oil

How To Do:

1. Take one full garlic and peel it
2. In a food processor add the garlic and 1/4 cup of coconut oil and blend in to a smooth paste.
3. Store it in cold.

How Often:

1. Apply twice a day.

5. Thyme Herb for Chest Congestion

Thyme herb works great for the respiratory diseases and helps to breathe well.

This is commonly used to get rid of baby chest congestion as it is an expectorant and is rich in antimicrobial properties. This also works amazing for cough and sore throat.

All You Need:

1. 2 teaspoons dried thyme
2. A cup of hot water

How To Do:

1. First soak the thyme in hot water for few minutes
2. After that strain the water and drink the water.

How Often:

1. Do this 2-3 times in a day.

6. Apple Cider Vinegar For Chest Congestion

Apple cider vinegar is an excellent way to get rid of the excess phlegm and helps to relieve the signs of chest congestion in babies.

Apple cider vinegar kills pathogens, including bacteria. The apple cider vinegar was used for cleaning and disinfecting from way back in history.

All You Need:

1. 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
2. A cup of warm water

How To Do:

1. Take one glass of warm water
2. Add 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar
3. Mix it well
4. Then drink the mixture.

How Often:

1. Do it twice a day.

7. Honey For Chest Congestion:

Honey is one of the popular traditional ways of treating baby chest congestion. It is rich in antiviral and antibacterial properties. It also soothes the irritated throat and reduces coughing due to its antimicrobial properties.

As per the 2007 study, it was found that honey helped get rid of the upper respiratory tract infections in children.

All You Need:

1. 1 tablespoon honey
2. 1 tablespoon lemon juice
3. A glass of hot water

What To Do:

1. Simply you have to add honey and lemon juice to the hot water and drink this mixture.

How Often:

1. Do it once in a day.

8. Essential Oil For Chest Congestion

Essential oils help to ease breathing and loosen the mucus in the chest. This also helps in stopping the growth of bacteria infecting the respiratory tract.

Essential oils are rich in mucus reduction; anti-inflammatory properties that help manage the inflamed respiratory passage. The antimicrobial properties fight against the infection causing the congestion in babies.

You can take any essential oil such as-

• basil
• cinnamon bark
• eucalyptus
• lemongrass
• peppermint
• rosemary
• tea tree
• thyme
• oregano

All You Need:

1. 2-3 drops of any essential oil
2. 1 tablespoon coconut oil or castor oil

What To Do:

1. Mix the essential oil with any of the carrier oils.
2. Apply this mixture to neck, chest, and back area.
3. Leave it on for a couple of hours.
4. Then wash it off

How Often:

1. Do it once in a day.

9. Fenugreek Tea For Chest Congestion:

Fenugreek seeds are rich in anti-inflammatory properties which help to reduce the inflammation in the respiratory tract, especially in the case of babies. The antimicrobial compounds help in dealing with the infection associated with baby chest congestion.

All You Need:

1. 1 teaspoon fenugreek seeds
2. A cup of water
3. 1 teaspoon honey

What To Do:

1. First you have to soak the fenugreek overnight in a cup of water.
2. Then strain the liquid in the morning and heat it up.
3. Add honey to it
4. Mix it well
5. Drink this herbal tea.

How Often:

1. Do it twice a day.

10. Ginger For Chest Congestion

Ginger plays a great role in cleaning up the airways during chest congestion. It kills all the harmful micro-organisms in the throat that cause pain and helps to give instant relief. Ginger acts as an expectorant and antimicrobial agent and helps reduce the phlegm.

All You Need:

1. 1-inch piece of ginger
2. A cup of boiling water
3. 1 teaspoon honey

What To Do:

1. Take a ginger and cut the ginger and soak it in hot water for 4-5 minutes.
2. After that, strain the water and add honey to it.
3. Mix them well.
4. Drink this mixture.

How Often:

1. Have it 2-3 times in a day.

11. Turmeric For Chest Congestion

Turmeric is one of the best Indian spices till date. It is rich in strong antibacterial properties and is an excellent healing agent.

It gives instant relieve and comfort from pain. Turmeric is known as one of the best home remedies for chest congestion.

All You Need:

1. Turmeric powder
2. Black pepper powder(optional)
3. 1 table spoon honey

What To Do:

1. Make a thick paste of all the ingredients together.

How Often:

1. Apply 2-3 times in a day.

12. Epsom Salt Bath For Chest Congestion

Epsom salt has numerous benefits for chest congestion. It works for the relaxing muscles and joints.

All You Need:

1. 1-2 cups of Epsom salts
2. Warm water
3. A bathtub

What To Do:

1. Take the Epsom salt and add to the bathwater.
2. Soak it for 20-30 mins
3. Rinse your baby’s body with normal water.

13. Mustard Poultice For Chest Congestion:

The mustard poultice works great for chest congestion. It gives instant relief and increases perspiration. The airways get cleared up with this effectively.

All You Need:

1. 1/4 cups mustard powder
2. 1 cup flour
3. 2 pieces of cloth
4. Hot water
5. Coconut oil

What To Do:

1. Make a paste of mustard powder, flour, and make a paste of it.
2. After that apply any form of oil on chest and then in warm water dip a cloth.
3. Then place it on chest after wring out the excess.
4. On it add the paste and evenly spread.
5. Leave it for 15-20 mins
6. Then wash it with normal water.

14. Onion For Chest Congestion:

I know you must be wondering but it is true that onion works great as a home remedy for chest suggestion. Onion immediately soothes the aching throat and gives relieves from pain.

All You Need:

1. 1 small onion
2. 1 teaspoon lemon juice
3. 1 teaspoon water
4. 1/2 teaspoon honey

What To Do:

1. Mix all the ingredients and warm it up
2. And then consume it.

15. Pineapple Juice For Chest Congestion:

Pineapple is best for the airways as it is rich in its anti-inflammatory properties. It works great as a detoxifying agent.

All You Need:

1. 1 fresh pineapple

What To Do:

1. Make a juice of the pineapple and drink it.

How Often:

1. Do it 2-3 times in a day.

Chest congestion is a condition when extra fluids accumulate in the nose and airways. This leads to difficulty in breathing and cause running nose, cold, and cough. I hope all the home remedies that are mentioned in the article will help you get rid of baby chest congestion. So, just try it.