Horribly stuffy child. Advice?

[ChristyMarie]

Now that the heat is on, DS (27 months) is horribly stuffy at night. Like cannot breathe. His dad gets the same way in the winter but he can get up and blow his nose and just kind of deal with it. DS can't. We've put a humidifier in his room (we have a whole house one but that wasn't cutting it) and have him on a slight angle with a boppy but he rolls off of it. Last night we finally gave him benadryl and it was the best night he's had in a week. He slept straight through, no problems and woke up without a completely clogged nose. He was happy and himself again today. But I can't drug the kid every night!

Any other ideas?

[harrietsmama]

Try over in health and healing too, but vaporizer, peppermint tea, at least to breathe vapors if not drink, lots of fluids, saline nasal spray, rub feet in smashed garlic and put socks on all night.... ummm fresh air, even if for small moments wrapped ina blanket if it's cold where you are. Open lo's bedroom window or yours wherever the sleep happens, and leave it open for ten minutes. Good idea *everyday* to keep things nice and healthy

[4evermom]

What kind of heat do you have (radiators or forced heat)? Could there be enough allergens in the vents that they are setting off allergies? Are there filters that need changing or extra filters that could be installed at the vent exits? My nasal passages get uncomfortably dry but I don't get stuffy which is why I'm thinking along the allergy lines. Benedryl helping also makes me think it's an allergy thing. Vitamin C can help minimize allergy symptoms. How about a hepa air filter, especially in the bedroom. And I'd still do humidity, as well, if I suspected it was an allergy.

[KatWrangler]

I agree, are you running the furnace at night? I have to sleep in a really cool/cold room. Otherwise, I can't breath.

Okay, what about those nose strips that hold the nose open? Have you tried those?

[KatWrangler]

Also, our Allergist said do not use the room humidfers. They spread allergens.

[ChristyMarie]

We have forced air heat w/brand new air cleaner things. We keep it at about 62 at night.