20 Home Remedies for Treating Chest Congestion in Babies, Toddlers & Kids

Chest congestion can be quite irritating and bothersome for anyone, but more so for babies and young kids.

Chest congestion is often due to viral or bacterial infection. Cold and cough can bother young children at anytime but winter season often brings with it viruses as well as bacteria that can cause these infections.

Babies immune system is still developing thus making them prone to catching cold often. It is said that babies and toddlers may catch upto 4-5 colds every year till the age of 5 years.

What is chest congestion in babies?

The nasal cavity and airways has mucus which protects the respiratory cavity and trap the particles that are floating around in the air, like dust, allergens, bacteria or viruses. There are tiny hairs called cilia which transport the mucus toward the throat. From there it can be coughed out or swallowed. 

This is the normal functioning of body, but sometimes there can be excess mucus or thicker mucus production in your airways due to a viral or bacterial infection. In such a case, your baby is not able to get rid of the excess mucus by coughing it or swallowing it. That causes one to start coughing more as the body tries to get rid of the irritants and clear your airways.

This is also known expectoration and in this case coughing actually tries to bring out the mucus along with the irritants and clear your airways.

Home remedies to treat chest congestion in babies, kids

 

Symptoms of chest congestion in babies/ toddlers/ kids

Congestion can be quite distressing for a young baby. Here are some common signs and symptoms which could mean that your baby is suffering frpom chest congestion.

Baby/ child does not want to feed as normal

A baby or toddler suffering from chest congestion might show fussiness towards eating or feeding. Baby might start feeding and then quickly quit feeding as s/he finds it difficult to breathe.

Baby/ child is coughing

Coughing is a common symptom of chest congestion as the body is trying to get rid of the irritants in the respiratory airways.

Low grade fever around 100 degrees

Cold and congestion may often be accompanied by low grade fever like 100 degree F. It is just the response of body’s immune system to fight the infection.

Baby/ child has difficulty sleeping

Continupus coughing and difficulty in breathing may cause disturbed sleep and baby / child may get up frequently.

Baby/ child is fussy and irritable

Child is irritable and does not enjoy the usual activities which s/he otherwise does.

 

Home Remedies to treat chest congestion in babies, toddlers & kids

Since most of the colds and chest infections are viral and viral infections run their course, antibiotics are of no use to treat them. The best you can do is try and relieve the symptoms and make the child feel better. Here are some common home remedies that you can use to treat chest congestion in babies, toddlers & kids.

Home Remedies to treat chest congestion in babies( below 1 year)

Steam inhalation

Steam can provide relief in case of chest congestion. For this the easiest way is to run a hot bath in the bathroom and sit there with baby in the steamy bathroom.

 

Saline drops

saline drops

Saline drops can help in loosening the mucus and make breathing easier.

How to administer saline drops to babies the right way

 

Breastfeeding

mother feeding breast her baby in the bed. sleeping together

Breastfeeding is the best treatment for any illness in babies. The antibodies from mother’s body are passed through breastmilk and helps baby in recovering. It also provides baby with extra fluid which are essential for recovering from cold and chest congestion.

 

Mustard oil massage

Mustard oil has natural warming properties and is great for treating cold and congestion. Do a gentle massage on baby’s feet, chest, back and palms with lukewarm mustard oil.

Benefits of Mustard oil for babies, kids

What is the right way to massage baby

Ajwain potli/ Carrom seeds remedy for chest congestion

This is another age-old remedy. Heat some ajwain or carrom seeds on a tawa/ skillet , put them in a cotton cloth and make a potli or packet. Gently give fomentation on baby’s chest with this lukewarm packet. Be extra careful to check the heat.

 

Increase fluid intake/ Lots of soups

soup-1

For babies, the best way to do this is frequent breastfeeding. For babies above 6 months, you may also give clear soups and warm water.

Eucalyptus oil

eucalyptus oil-2

Eucalyptus oil can help in making breathing easier. Put a few drop of oil in a handkerchief and place it near baby’s bed.

Home remedies to Treat Chest Congestion in Toddlers ( 1 year and above)

Turmeric milk/ Haldi doodh

Turmeric milk or haldi wala doodh also known as golden milk is an age-old Indian recipe which has found favour across the world in recent years. Just boil milk with some turmeric, col it down and give it to you toddler or child.

 

Tulsi juice with honey

Crush tulsi leaves to extract the juice, mix with a teaspoon of honey to help with chest congestion.

 

Carrom seeds / Ajwain smoke inhalation

ajwain     

Roast ajain or carrom seeds on a tawa and help your child inhale the fumes.

 

Homemade cough syrup with onion and honey

Chop half red onion and add it in a cup of honey. Let it sit overnight. Remove onion and use this as a cough syrup.

 

Garlic mustard oil massage

mustard-oil

Heat mustard oil with a few pods of garlic till garlic is almost burnt. Let it cool and massage baby’s hands, feet, back and chest with this oil.

 

Eucalyptus oil steam

steam-inhalation

For older children, you may add a few drops of eucalyptus oil in the steam water.

 

Camphor coconut oil massage

coconut-oil-2

Heat coconut oil with a little camphor and let it cool. Massage your child with this oil.

 

 

Lemon and honey syrup

This is my favourite remedy for cold and chest congestion. Take half teaspoon of lemon juice and half teaspoon of honey and give to your child 2-3 times a day.

Home remedies to Treat Chest Congestion in Kids above 5 years

 

Ginger honey home remedy

Mix 1 part ginger juice to 2 parts honey and give to your child 2-3 times a day.

 

Homemade Kadha/ Tulsi & spices tea

Home remedy for chest congestion in children

Add 2-3 cloves, 1 piece ginger, 5-6 crushed pepper corns, 5-5 tulasi leaves in 1 cup water.

Boil till water becomes half.

Add misri or rock sugar and give this 2-3 times a day.

 

Bay leaf & pepper tea

In 1 cup water, add 1 baby leaf & 8-10 crushed pepper corns, 1 piece ginger and boil till it becomes half.

Add misri or rock sugar and give this 2-3 times a day.

 

Jaggery, ghee and black pepper balls

Take 1 tablespoon jaggery, 1/2 tablespoon ghee, and 1 teaspoon pepper powder. Mix well and make small balls. Give 3-4 times a day.

 

These remedies are all age-old and tried and tested over generations. We do hope you will find these helpful and not get distressed when you see you baby suffering from cold and chest congestion. As it is commonly known, these colds improve baby’s immunity by helping their tiny bodies to prepare antibodies to fight future attacks by these viruses.

 

 

 

 



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2 Replies to “20 Home Remedies for Treating Chest Congestion in Babies, Toddlers & Kids”

  1. kashish thakur says:

    I think it would be good to know a few basic remedies that can help your baby get over it quickly and without any side effects.

    Reply

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