5 Tips for Feeding Your Snuffly Baby

Just as you can’t protect your own nose from the sniffles, neither can your baby. And when your little one gets under the weather, you’ll both find that feeding time is going to be a tad more challenging than usual.

Don’t worry though, it’s not too hard to treat, and your child could be feeding as normal in no time (with maybe a little bit of extra wriggling here and there). Here are some handy tips to point you in the right direction.

1. Give your baby a cuddle

And keep those cuddles up. That much-needed body contact releases the feel-good hormone, oxytocin (in both of you, in case you needed some TLC as well), and will calm your baby down. Having a blocked and stuffy nose is stressful for a baby, but you simply being there to offer comfort is a sure-fire way to make things easier.

2. Keep the air clean

If you make sure the air around your child is healthy (no smoking, keep nearby pet hair to a minimum, run a humidifier), then you’ll keep dryness at bay and see fewer blocked noses popping up in the first place.

3. Run a bath

Popping some Snufflebabe Vapour Bath Bubbles into the bath will make use of the decongestant properties of Eucalyptus oil, Camphor, Thymol and Menthol to help soothe your baby’s sinuses. The vapours mixed with the warm steam will help clear their airways and make your little one more open to feeding.

4. Use some nasal spray or drops

If you’re looking for a quick solution that can be used at any time of the day, then some Snufflebabe Nasal Drops are perfect for rinsing out your baby’s nose. Tilt your little one’s head back or lie them down and gently squeeze 1 or 2 drops in each nostril as needed, or as directed by your doctor or pharmacist. Or if you’re dealing with a wriggly infant, try one or two sprays of Snufflebabe Nasal Spray to soften any hard or dried mucus. When using the spray, make sure the nozzle isn’t pointing straight up the nose or rubbing against the inside septum.

5. Use a nasal aspirator

The Snufflebabe Nasal Aspirator can help your baby unblock their nose, as they can’t do it themselves. Simply wash it before use, pop the nozzle at the opening of the nostril (not inside) and suck (never blow) through the mouthpiece. Its special filter will thankfully stop any ‘suck-back’ and everything will collect in a special chamber. Wash it with warm water and you’re ready for next time.

And remember, do speak to your doctor or health visitor if you’re concerned about anything – they’ll know what to do. Don’t ever be afraid to let them know of any problems you might be having, even if you’re worried they might be minor.