Sick baby . . .

[EmilyG]

I have a 3-month old who has her first cold, thanks to her older sister! She is miserable with a stuffy runny nose. The only way I can get her to be able to nurse is if I use saline drops and suck out her nose right before I feed her, and even then she has to keep pulling away to catch her breath because breathing through her nose is so difficult.
I was wondering about dripping a little breastmilk up her nose to see if it would help. I was thinking maybe it would help with the swelling, get some antibodies right in there, and loosen up the mucous like the saline. Has anyone tried this before? Any other suggestions? I just feel so bad for her, not to mention we haven't slept more than 20 minutes at a stretch in three nights now!

[PatioGardener]

Poor baby! Breastmilk up the nose often helps. Sometimes nursing in the shower, or in the bathroom with the shower running (steam) helps too. Hope she's feeling better soon!

[Katie T]

Hey sis, Ive heard its easier on babe if you put bm up the nose while they are nursing or sucking on a pacifier. Hope she feels better soon her cousin is really sick as well.

[FlippyHippy]

Originally Posted by PatioGardener

Poor baby! Breastmilk up the nose often helps. Sometimes nursing in the shower, or in the bathroom with the shower running (steam) helps too. Hope she's feeling better soon!

Yes yes yes on BFing in shower or tub. My dd loves it, especially when she's plugged up, because it helps her relax. We also use a humidifier when she's plugged up, and I either let her sleep in my arms or with something propping her up.

[writteninkursive]

My 3-month-old son has the same problem. He's got this horrible cough too. I just make sure he's really, really calm to breastfeed him so he doesn't get too excitable and choke or wheeze. And yeah, try the bathroom for feeding with steam going on.

[momo7]

I also have a little baby with a cough/cold. Something I do is put a little bit of vapor rub on my breast...away from her eyes and mouth but close enough she can inhale it...this works very, very well....so much so that she can nurse without pulling away.

[EmilyG]

Originally Posted by momo7

I also have a little baby with a cough/cold. Something I do is put a little bit of vapor rub on my breast...away from her eyes and mouth but close enough she can inhale it...this works very, very well....so much so that she can nurse without pulling away.

Great idea, I'll try that - thanks!