Nasal congestion is one of the most troublesome symptoms for young and old, but in the case of babies it can be very irritating. This coupled with the lack of language that allows them to indicate exactly what bothers them, can cause despair to anyone who wants to find a quick solution. Fortunately there is a good remedy for colds or allergies that lead to bothersome nasal congestion: saline solution. Making a DIY version that is suitable for infants at home is simple and fast, so we explain on oneHOWTO how to make a saline solution for babies.
The saline solution for babies we are about to show you how to make is an effective, economical and safe way to combat nasal congestion as it helps reduce the presence of mucus through nasal irrigation, it decreases any infections if you have already cleared the nostrils and it encourages proper breathing. It can be applied to babies, infants and young adults without any problems.
To make a saline solution for babies you will need the following:
- Preferably a cup of bottled water
- ¼ teaspoon of fresh salt without iodine
- A pinch of baking soda
- A dropper or spray bottle
Before you start, we'd like to advise you to sterilize the dropper or spray bottle to make sure it is perfectly clean and contains no bacteria. You should also wash your hands thoroughly with pH soap before you start making this saline solution.
Start by adding a cup of water to a saucepan, put it over a high heat and bring it to the boil. When it reaches boiling point, turn off the heat. This step is important because the ingredients are best dissolved in hot water than in warm or cold water.
Once you turn off the water, add ¼ teaspoon of salt and a pinch of baking soda, make sure all the products are as fresh as possible in order to avoid any form of bacteria. Stir well to mix the contents for one minute and then allow to sit, the saline solution for babies should be used only when it is warm so it is very important to verify the temperature before applying it.
Once warm, add it to a dropper or a nasal spray and apply in the baby's nose. Don't force it on the baby as you can harm him or her. Instead hold the baby's head so that the dropper's tip is just touching the baby's nose.
It is recommended that you use all of the solution within 24 hours, but you can keep for several days in the fridge. This is an absolutely safe way to relieve your baby's nose. It will also relieve cold symptoms and allergy symptoms.
The baby may notice a small burning feeling and reject it the first times, but they should get used to it.
This is not the only trick to ease breathing for babies with congestion. Read our oneHOWTO article on how to take a baby's temperature for more tips if you suspect your child also has a fever and have never used a thermometer on him or her.
Don't forget the importance of changing a baby's bottle in order to keep your infant safe from infections and avoiding illnesses.
If, despite using saline solution, your baby continues to be congested after 48 hours, consult a medical professional.
If you want to read similar articles to How to Make Saline Solution for Babies, we recommend you visit our Being a Mom & Dad category.
- If you notice that your saline solution for babies has a cloudy color or changes to a darker shade, throw it away immediately without using it.
- Do not drink or let your baby drink the saline solution under any circumstances.