For more information about Dr. Gluzman, visit her website, BlossomPediatrics.com.

If your kid is having trouble sleeping at night because of a stuffy nose, there are a few things you can do to get them breathing easy and sleeping soundly again.

In this article, we’ll look at what causes a stuffy nose and a variety of remedies and medicines to get rid of that pesky congestion.

What causes a stuffy nose?

When we talk about a “stuffy nose,” what’s really going on is that the tissue lining the inside of the nose is swollen, or there is a buildup of mucus in the nose. Both of these result in a stuffy nose, which can make it hard to breathe, hear, and, when that tissue gets really swollen, to sleep at night.

Although there’s no one singular thing that causes this swelling, common causes of a “stuffy nose” are:

• The common cold
• The Flu
• Sinus infections
• Allergies (to things like pollen, pet hair, dust, etc.)
• Foregin objects in the nasal cavity

Why do stuffy noses get worse at night?

Sometimes when you feel fine during the day, you wake up at night with a stuffy nose. There’s a few reasons that stuffy noses develop and worsen at night.

At the most basic level, when you’re lying down, gravity isn’t helping to drain the mucus from your nose like it does when you’re standing or sitting upright. Without the help of gravity, mucus can accumulate in your nasal cavity while you’re asleep and result in a stuffy nose. Also when you’re lying down, more blood flows to our heads, which can further inflame the blood vessels in your nose.

If your child’s stuffy nose is due to allergies, chances are it will also get worse at night. Oftentimes our body makes less allergy-regulating hormones at night, which makes us more likely to experience the uncomfortable symptoms of allergies such as stuffy noses.

Why are kids more prone to stuffy noses?

You might have noticed that your kid seems to get a stuffy nose more often than you, especially at night. Given that kids have smaller nasal passageways, they’re more likely to develop stuffy noses at night due to excess mucus and inflammation.

Additionally, babies who can’t yet blow their nose but mostly breathe through their nose develop stuffy noses more often because they cannot clear their nasal passages on their own.

Stuffy Nose Remedies

If your kid’s stuffy nose is keeping them up at night and causing discomfort, there are a few easy remedies you can try to get them breathing clearly again.

Helpful Medicines for a Stuffy Nose

If you find that simple at-home remedies are not strong enough to clear your child’s stuffy nose, there are a few medicines you can give your child to ease their congestion and get them a good night of sleep.

Kids’ Cough and Chest Congestion

Looking to thin and loosen mucus? Genexa’s Kids’ Cough and Chest Congestion helps to loosen phlegm, and if your child is dealing with a little more than a stuffy nose, this naturally blueberry-flavored mucus-loosener also helps to control cough and relieve chest congestion, too.

Cold Crush

If you think your kid’s stuffy nose is due to a common cold, you can give them a Cold Crush tablet. These homeopathic tablets address symptoms associated with the common cold such as a nasal congestion, cough, sore throat, and sneezing, all while being non-drowsy so they can keep on with their busy little days.

Kids’ Allergy Care

If you think allergies are to blame for your kid’s stuffy nose, try giving them Kids’ Allergy Care, a homeopathic medicine that can address symptoms of allergies such as nasal congestion. Active ingredient wyethia helenioides (a species of flowering plant in the sunflower family) in particular work to help ease that stuffiness.

Flu Fix

If the flu is going around and you suspect that’s the cause of your kid’s stuffy nose, you can give them a Flu Fix tablet to help homeopathically ease those tough flu symptoms they’re experiencing, including nasal congestion, body aches, headache, sore throat, etc.

Steam

Steam is one of the best, simplest ways to loosen the mucus that might be causing your kid’s stuffy nose. There are a few ways to use steam to relieve the symptoms of a stuffy nose.

You can give your kid a warm bath before bed or simply run a hot shower and have them stand in the bathroom while it’s running. That being said, make sure the room is not so hot that it’s tough to breathe.

Nasal Spray

Another way to loosen mucus is to use a Saline Nasal Spray (this one is made specifically for infants).

This kind of spray can cleanse nasal and sinus congestion and moisturize your infant’s tiny nasal passages. If you really want to get the mucus moving, you can use this spray after your infant spends time in a steamy room.

Fluids

One of the reasons mucus gets trapped in your kid’s nose is because it is too thick to come out on its own. In order to thin out the mucus, make sure your kid is drinking plenty of water and other fluids such as warm tea. Make sure to avoid fluids with sugar or caffeine -- herbal tea with honey and even hot cocoa are helpful here.

Adjust Sleeping Position

Given that it’s hard for our sinuses to drain when we’re lying down, it can be a good idea to have your kid sleep with their head propped up on a few pillows so that congestion does not worsen at night.

Humidifier

Humidifiers can add moisture to the room, which may reduce night time stuffy noses. Just like with fluids, moisture in the air can thin the mucus, making it less likely to stay in the nasal passages.

If you put a humidifier in your child’s room, make sure you clean it regularly and put it in a place that they cannot reach.

Bulb Suction

Infants and really young children cannot blow their own noses, so they are more likely to develop a stuffy nose. You can use a bulb suction device, also known as a nasal aspirator, to suck the mucus out of your baby’s nose.

The only thing to keep in mind when using nasal bulbs is to wash it well after each use so that no bacteria remains on the device.

Wash Bedding

Often, allergens such as pet hair and dust can be found on pillowcases and sheets. If your child’s stuffy nose is due to allergies, make sure to regularly wash their bedding so that they’re sleeping with as few allergens as possible.

When should I contact my doctor?

For the most part, stuffy noses are common amongst children and generally are not a concern or reason to call your pediatrician. That being said, you should call your doctor if your child’s stuffy nose and other symptoms do not improve after a few days of remedies and rest. It’s also a good idea to contact your doctor if, alongside their stuffy nose, your child has a very high fever or if your infant younger than 3 months has a fever.

If your baby is under 2 months old and they sound congested, it’s a good idea to contact your doctor, as well. Given that they only breathe through their noses up until the 2 month mark, congestion can cause serious breathing issues.

Conclusion

There are plenty of reasons why your kid might develop a stuffy nose ranging from a common cold to allergies. Although they are stubborn and uncomfortable, stuffy noses can easily be treated with at home remedies and clean over-the-counter medication made with the same effective active ingredients you need, but without the artificial fillers you don’t.

Good luck!