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Suggest Treatment For Chest Congestion In Infant

Posted on Mon, 6 Oct 2014

Question: My 4months baby has been suffring from congestion since birth...we have been giving him nasoclear saline drop n steam regularly...n nasivion XXXXXXX at nyts..but no improvement til date....also he is very fussy while feeding both on breast and bottle..at times the gap between feeds is around 4-5hrs..i hav to let him suck his thumb for sumtym after which i slowly replace his thumb with breast or bottle...please help

Answered by Dr. Deepak Kishore Kaltari (28 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Sucking of thumb is common

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome to Healthcare-Magic
Greetings of the day

Dear Ms XXXXXXX

If baby is sleeping well for at least 2-3 hours after every feeds then there is no cause for concern. Babies usually have non nutritional sucking in the form of sucking thumb/blanket or some other object. It gives them satiety. When the baby is sucking thumb after good feed, it is usually non nutritional sucking. Allow the baby to do so, let the baby fall to sleep spontaneously.

It would be very helpful if you could elaborate the respiratory complaints of baby in details. Also let me know if baby experiences any difficulty while feeding.

Awaiting your response

Best Regards
Dr Deepak

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Deepak Kishore Kaltari (1 hour later)

The baby sucks the thumb before every feed...he would do so for sum tym only XXXXXXX he would take feed...if not allowed he becomes irritated and refuses to feed...
As far as respiratory problem..he has been suffering from same since birth...no nose watering...only blockage...docters say he would recover over time...but i feel he has difculty breathing..i can feel the congestion when he breaths...steam gives him relief for some time...but that too is temprorary...have given him timinic drops for sumtym...as of now we give him nasoclear during day n nasivion during nights...

Answered by Dr. Deepak Kishore Kaltari (8 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Stop Nasivion drops

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Dear XXXXXXX

Let the baby suck thumb before feeds not an issue.
So not be worried about nasal symptoms if mechanical nasal blockage has been ruled out.
Stop all the drops especially Nasivion. Prolonged intake itself of Nasivion will cause nasal blockage ( Rhinitis Medica mentosa).
After stopping this drops you would see improvement in next two weeks. There is absolutely no cause to be worried about. The drops will do more harm than good.

The baby will definitely improve and requires no medication.

Take care

Best regards
Dr Deepak

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Deepak Kishore Kaltari (50 minutes later)

Thankyou for your response sir...will stop all drops as per your suggestion...shall i continue with steam? If yes for how long and how many times a day? Also can the baby sleep in an air conditioned room?

Answered by Dr. Deepak Kishore Kaltari (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Continue steam twice a day

Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX

Steam inhalation is good indeed . It will keep the air warm and humid .
Sometimes babies being in air conditioning for long time can also cause nasal congestion.
Avoid Air conditioning for 1 week and see if there is any difference.

Take care

Best regards
Dr Deepak

Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar