Blocked Nose in Babies (Baby ki Naak Band): Safe Ways to Clear It

A baby who sounds like they are breathing through a straw, struggles to feed because of a stuffy nose, and wakes up every hour is hard on everyone at home. A blocked nose in babies (baby ki naak band) is very common, especially in winter, and it can look scarier than it is.

This guide explains why babies get stuffy noses so easily, how to clear them safely, what to avoid, and the breathing signs that need a doctor right away.

Why do babies get blocked noses?

Babies have tiny nasal passages, so even a little mucus can cause a lot of noise and blockage. Young babies also breathe mainly through the nose and do not yet know how to blow it. Common reasons include:

• Colds and viral infections, the most common cause, which come with a runny nose, sneezing and sometimes a mild cough.
• Dry air, from heaters and closed rooms in winter, which dries out and thickens mucus.
• Dust, smoke and smog, which irritate the nose. See our smog protection guide.
• Normal newborn stuffiness, because newborns often sound congested in the first weeks even without a cold.
• Milk reflux, where small amounts of milk come back up and sit in the nose.
• Allergies, which are less common in young babies.

How to clear a baby’s nose safely

1. Use saline (salt water) drops or spray. Place the baby on their back or lay them across your lap, and put the drops in each nostril as the pack says. The saline loosens dried mucus. Norsaline-P Nasal Drops and Norsaline-P Nasal Spray are made for blocked noses in babies and children.
2. Wait a minute, then gently remove the loosened mucus with a clean soft bulb syringe or nasal aspirator. Squeeze the bulb before you place it in the nostril, then let it go slowly. Do this before feeds and before sleep, but not more than a few times a day, because too much suction irritates the nose.
3. Wipe the outside of the nostrils with a soft damp cotton cloth.
4. Clean the aspirator with warm soapy water after each use.

Other things that help

• Add moisture to the air. A cool-mist humidifier or a bowl of water near the heater helps. Keep it out of reach, and clean it often to prevent mould.
• Take your baby into the bathroom while a hot shower runs, so that they breathe in the warm steam. Stay with them and keep a safe distance from the hot water.
• Keep the baby upright for a while after feeding.
• Feed smaller amounts more often. A blocked nose makes feeding tiring, so short feeds work better.
• Keep fluids up. Breast milk or formula is enough for young babies.
• Keep smoke away. Do not smoke around babies, and avoid incense and mosquito coils in the baby’s room.
• Dress the baby in light layers. Overheating makes things worse.

See more in our baby care and cold and congestion categories.

What to avoid

• Decongestant nasal drops and sprays unless a paediatrician prescribes them. They can be unsafe for babies and make the stuffiness worse if used for more than a few days.
• Cough and cold syrups for children under six unless a doctor advises them.
• Menthol and camphor rubs on babies. They can irritate the airways of young babies. Ask your paediatrician before using any chest rub.
• Cotton buds in the nose.
• Home remedies such as putting breast milk, oil or ghee in the nose.
• Propping a baby up with pillows to sleep. Always place a baby on their back on a firm, flat surface, with no pillows or loose bedding.

Is it a cold or something more?

Most colds last about a week, with congestion worst on days two to four. A mild fever can come with it. For fever guidance in young children, read our article on fever in children. If your baby is also crying a lot in the evenings with a normal nose, it may be colic instead.

When to see a doctor straight away

Call your doctor or go to the nearest hospital if your baby has:

• Fast or laboured breathing, flaring nostrils, grunting, or the skin between the ribs sucking in with each breath.
• Blue or grey lips or face.
• A fever, especially if the baby is under three months old.
• Refusal to feed, or fewer wet nappies than usual.
• Unusual sleepiness or irritability that does not settle.
• A wheeze, a barking cough or noisy breathing when not crying.
• Green or yellow discharge with fever that lasts more than a few days, or congestion that lasts more than ten days.

Babies under three months with any cold symptoms should be seen by a doctor.

Frequently asked questions

Is it normal for my newborn to sound congested?

Yes. Newborns often make snuffly noises. If the baby feeds well, sleeps comfortably and has no fever, saline drops are usually enough.

Can I use homemade salt water?

It is safer to use ready-made saline products, because the right salt strength and clean water matter.

Should I use a nasal aspirator?

Gentle use before feeds can help. Overuse can cause irritation and nosebleeds.

Why is the blocked nose worse at night?

Lying flat lets mucus pool in the nose. Saline before sleep and a humid room help.

Find baby nasal care and essentials at Khasmart, with delivery across Pakistan.

This article is for general information and is not a substitute for advice from your paediatrician or pharmacist. It does not include dosage; always follow the directions on the pack or from your doctor.