Baby Colds bedtime routine by Baby nose-clear
Baby colds are common and can cause real distress. A blocked nose can cause problems with feeding and a hungry baby who is struggling to breathe and doesn't feel well is going to have difficulty sleeping.
When your baby has a cold you can find their normal sleep routine disintegrates. The following 6 step Baby nose-clear routine for baby colds and blocked noses can really help when your baby has a cold.
1. Prepare Baby’s Room
First, prepare baby’s room with the Baby nose-clear Room Vapour. This is a pure blend of pure essential oils with natural antibacterial properties. It is a lovely way of refreshing the room and has natural decongestant and calming properties to help baby sleep better when they have a cold, safely from birth.
Because water vapour is very helpful in relieving a blocked nose, the best way to diffuse the oil is to place a few drops in a warm bowl of water to release the vapour, or you can use on a damp cloth over a radiator.
It makes a lovely air freshener with natural antibacterial properties - you don't have to wait for your baby to have a cold to use it!
2. Bathing
Bath time is very important when baby has a cold. It is very refreshing when baby is hot and sticky and the water vapour is helpful. Bathe as usual in a warm bath. If baby has a temperature you could make the bath a little cooler, but still comfortable. Use our Sleepytime hair & body wash to refresh and relax baby. It is100% natural and is very gentle on the skin and does not contain mineral oils, SLS or parabans.
3. Nasal Aspirator
Suction with the Baby Nose-Clear Nasal Aspirator to physically clear the nose so baby can breathe more easily. This can be done whenever you see visible mucus at the baby’s nose and they are struggling to breathe. It is ideal to do this before a feed and before bed. If the mucus is sticky or crusty it is great to suction after a bath. If the mucus is still too dry you can use a couple of drops of saline to soften the mucus, leave for a few minutes and then aspirate.
The Baby nose-clear aspirator is simply the best aspirator available with its controlled suction and it is great value as it has a reusable filter. Again, it can be used from birth.
Put the mouthpiece in your mouth and hold between your lips/teeth so that you have both hands free. Then hold the bulb end at the baby’s nostril and target visible mucus. You can do this one handed so that the other hand is free to secure and comfort the child. Then simply suck and the congestion will collect in the sealed chamber behind the filter. You can vary the level of suction and see the mucus collect behind the reusable filter.
4. Baby Massage
Massage can be usefully incorporated into the bedtime routine, it is very relaxing and can be used as a strong bedtime signal. It helps stimulate baby’s immune system and is ideal for when baby has a cold. From 3 months you can use the Baby nose-clear Organic Massage Oil. It nourishes the skin and its helpful vapour helps ease breathing. Younger babies can still benefit from the massage movements but we recommend using pure organic sunflower oil.
The following movements can either be used as a complete massage or incorporated into your usual programme. They focus on the chest and upper back to help relieve congestion and are followed by the face and sinuses to help clear the sinuses and a blocked nose.
- Firstly, warm the oil in your hands and with baby laid on their back, use gentle strokes on the chest. Start at the centre and flowing upwards and outwards. Then, using cupped fingertips, gently pat down and up the sides of the chest to loosen congestion. Avoid the collar bone and navel.
- Secondly, turn baby and repeat these movements on the back, avoiding the spine.
- Then massage the face, avoiding the eyes and mouth. Gently press your little fingers flat under the cheek bone, starting either side of baby’s nose and hold for 5-10 seconds. Then gently massage outwards from the nose along the cheek bone. Finally draw your fingers up from the bridge of the nose and outwards across the forehead several times.
5. Bedtime feed
Your baby should now be sleepy and ready for a final feed before bed. Hold and talk quietly letting your baby hear your heartbeat.
If younger than 3 months it is helpful to swaddle in a cool cotton or bamboo wrap.
6. And so to bed
Put your baby in the cot while still awake, in the room that has been previously prepared with the Room Vapour. A good recuperative nights sleep is what your baby needs to get over their cold.
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Six Steps to Sleepytime when your baby has a cold |
Helpful products |
Age |
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1 |
Prepare baby’s room with the Room Vapour. The pure essential oil blend has natural decongestant, antibacterial and calming properties. |
From birth |
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2 |
Bath to relax, the water vapour also helps decongest the chest and sinuses. (NEW Vapour Wash will be available in 2012) |
From birth |
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3 |
Suction the nose to physically clear the airway. |
From birth |
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4 |
Massage to relax and cue bedtime, using specific movements helps baby colds by clearing congestion, blocked sinuses and noses. |
Baby nose-clear Organic Massage Oil Pure organic sunflower oil |
From 3 months Younger than 3 months |
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5 |
Bedtime feed |
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6 |
And so to bed |
Younger than 3 months |
