Can I give my baby cold medicine for a stuffy nose?

No. Over-the-counter cough and cold medicines, including decongestants, are not recommended for children under 4 (and many extend this to under 6) because they don't help young children and can cause dangerous side effects. Use saline drops, gentle suction, a cool-mist humidifier, and extra fluids instead.

How often can I suction my baby's nose?

Limit it to about 2 to 3 times a day. Suctioning more often can irritate and swell the lining of the nose, which actually makes congestion worse. Doing it right before feeds or sleep, after saline drops, gets you the most benefit with the least irritation.

Is it safe to use a humidifier in my baby's room?

Yes — use a cool-mist humidifier rather than a warm-mist one to avoid burn risk. Place it close enough that the mist reaches your baby but out of reach, change the water daily, and clean it per the directions to prevent mold and bacteria buildup.

Should I prop up my baby's mattress to help them breathe?

No. Babies should always sleep flat on their backs on a firm, bare surface. Propping the mattress, using a wedge, or adding pillows raises the risk of suffocation and unsafe positioning. To ease nighttime congestion, clear the nose with saline and suction before bed and run a cool-mist humidifier.

Health & Safety

How to Relieve a Baby's Stuffy Nose

The safest relief for a baby's stuffy nose is saline (saltwater) drops followed by gentle suction with a bulb syringe or nasal aspirator, a cool-mist humidifier, and holding your baby upright while awake. Skip over-the-counter cough and cold medicines entirely — they aren't safe or proven for babies and young children. Babies breathe mostly through their noses, so a little congestion can make feeding and sleep harder, but most colds clear on their own in about 10 days.

5 min read Health & Safety Updated June 2026

Why congestion is so disruptive for babies

Young babies are "nose breathers," so a blocked nose interferes with feeding and sleep more than it does for older kids. Most stuffiness comes from an ordinary cold and clears within about 10 days without any medicine. The goal at home is to thin and clear mucus so your baby can feed and rest — not to dry it up with drugs.

Newborns can also sound congested or snuffly without being sick, simply because their nasal passages are tiny. If your baby is feeding, breathing comfortably, and content, noisy breathing alone usually isn't a problem.

Safe relief methods at a glance

Simple, doctor-backed steps. None require medication.
Method	How to do it	How often
Saline drops	2 drops of saline in each nostril to loosen mucus	Before feeds or naps
Suction	Squeeze the bulb first, then gently suction after the saline	No more than 2–3 times a day
Cool-mist humidifier	Run near the crib but out of reach; change water daily	During sleep
Upright holding	Hold baby upright while awake to help drainage	As needed while awake
Extra fluids	Offer breast milk or formula more often	Throughout the day

Saline and suction, step by step

Saline plus suction is the most effective home method. Doing it just before a feed or nap helps most:

Lay your baby back with the head slightly lower than the body.
Put 2 drops of saline in each nostril and wait about 30–60 seconds to loosen the mucus.
Squeeze the air out of the bulb syringe before you put the tip in the nostril, then slowly release to draw mucus out (a nasal aspirator like a NoseFrida works the same way).
Wipe the bulb and repeat on the other side; clean the device well after each use.
Limit suctioning to 2–3 times a day — more can irritate and swell the nose lining and make congestion worse.

What to avoid

Do not give over-the-counter cough and cold medicines, decongestants, or antihistamines to babies and young children. The American Academy of Pediatrics advises against them under age 4, and many products and clinicians extend that caution to under 6, because they don't work in young children and can cause serious side effects. Saline, suction, humidified air, fluids, and time are the safe path.

For safe sleep, keep your baby flat on the back on a firm, bare surface even when congested. Do not prop the crib mattress, use a wedge or positioner, or add pillows — inclined and padded sleep raises the risk of suffocation. Honey can soothe coughs only for children over age 1; never give honey to a baby under 12 months because of the risk of infant botulism.

Call your pediatrician if

Your baby is breathing fast or working hard to breathe, or the chest pulls in with each breath.
Lips, face, or tongue look bluish.
Your baby is under 3 months old and has a rectal temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher.
Congestion or a cold lasts more than 10 days, or symptoms get worse instead of better.
Your baby won't feed, has far fewer wet diapers, or shows other signs of dehydration.
There's thick green or bloody nasal discharge with fever, or signs of ear pain (tugging, extra fussiness).
Your baby is unusually sleepy, limp, or hard to wake.

Reflects AAP HealthyChildren home-care and OTC cough/cold guidance (no cough/cold medicines under age 4) and safe-sleep guidance, 2024-2026.

Sources & further reading

ParentFlow: one free app, newborn to age six

ParentFlow is a free baby tracker that logs feeds, sleep, diapers, pumping and growth in one tap, with your daily summary, trends, and reminders based on your own logs. Free for everyday tracking on iPhone, Android, and the web.

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This article reflects current AAP, CDC, FDA, and other public-health guidance and is for educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice. ParentFlow is a wellness companion — not a substitute for your pediatrician. For any medical concern, contact your healthcare provider.