Hello Moms
Hopefully someone can clarify for me this. I always get this confused. My little one has a cold that leaves his nose congested at night and hard to sleep. I use the aspirator but at night when he is trying to sleep, that is a bit more difficult. I rub him with baby Vicks but he wakes up a few hours later with a stuffy nose problem. I have a Vicks Vaporizer but it is a warm mist. I have a cool mist humidifier but that does not help with is breathing at night. Do I put Vicks liquid in the cool mist humidifier as well or do I need to get a Vicks cool mist vaporizer? What are your suggestions?
I cant help with warm vs cool, but they also sell plug ins with a vicks type smell I like them when I'm congested
If he doesn't move around alot and keeps his head on the headboard side you could elevate his bed a bit so his head is slightly upright while he sleeps. You can place a couple of books or a soft small pillow under his mattress. All I use is the cool air humidifier so don't know to compare them to the heated ones. Not sure just how old he is but I use a flush system called Neilmed that I got from Walgreens. Started my boys on one when they were about 2 years old. It takes some practice but it's well worth the effort and cleans them out really well. Also depending on their age you can get an children's liquid antihistamine (helps them sleep and counter acts the decongestant) and decongestant to give at night. Some people don't like giving them stuff like this and argue that it doesn't make them any better sooner. But I use it so they can sleep at night and it's only for a short duration.
Hope he's better soon.
C.
Hi! I've had my fair share of colds with my 20 month old (mostly last year). What really worked for us is this: Vick's vapor bath (pour a capful into his bath), aspirate him during the day and evening (using Little Noses spray helps too, bc it thins the mucous and makes it easier to suction), during his nap and at bedtime, we use a little Vick's babyrub on his chest and then a little bit on his soles of his feet and put socks on him. We use a cool mist humidifier in his room and (if it's really bad) the Vick's Vaporizer.
The major trick is this - tilt his mattress about 30 degrees at one end and make sure his head is resting on the elevated side. This will help with drainage so he will sleep and breathe better.
Good luck and hang in there.
Don't put the Vicks liquid into the humidifier unless it is made for that. Yes, Vicks makes a cool mist vamporizer that has a little spout thing that you put the liquid into. We used it this winter when we had colds and loved it. Just make sure to use cool water, as warm will ruin it.
There is also something called "Little Noses" which are for children for nose congestion. Any drugstore would probably have it.
Also, is you use an aspirator/bulb syringe too much in his nose... it can cause his inner nose to get abraded.... and raw or sore.
Our Pediatrician, said not to over-use it or use it too much, because it can cause the nose to get very sore inside.
Have you taken your child to the Doctor?
He is unable to breathe well because his nose is congested. A vaporizer will help with breathing... but for NOSE congestion... you would want to also trouble shoot that or see a Doctor. Nose congestion can be due to mucous or the sinuses... or an inflamed nose membranes.
all the best,
Susan
We always use the Pediacare Gentle Vapors plug ins when our kids have colds. This seems to work great and helps them sleep through the night.
