NASAL STUFFINESS
Nasal stuffiness is a sign that is seen in approximately 1/3 of infants with Neonatal Abstinence from any substance. Signs may include, but are not limited to: congestion, increased mucus, rapid breathing, runny nose, noisy breathing and may sound snuffly. This is very commonlyseen in infants with stimulant (methamphetamine, cocaine) exposure as well as opioid exposure.
NOTE: The Following Videos found in this kit under the Parenting Tips from Specialists will provide more information and/or demonstration that might be useful for some of the interventions recommended here.
STRATEGIES BY DISCIPLINE
NEURODEVELOPMENT
Determine root cause by consultation with your baby’s doctor.
Be aware that nasal stuffiness can be related to food sensitivity, often resulting in congestion. You may want to discuss a formula change with the baby’s doctor.
Monitor the infant’s irritability and provide calming when the baby is dysregulated.
Keep the baby’s airways clear as much as possible.
MEDICAL
Determine the root cause of the nasal stuffiness with the help of your baby’s doctor.
Your baby’s doctor may want to know:
If the baby has difficulty breathing or feeding
Does the baby have allergies?
Allow more time for feeding with rest between sucking intervals to assist the baby with the suck, swallow, breathe pattern and nasal stuffiness.
NURSING
Tell your Baby’s doctor about the nasal stuffiness.
Allow more time for feeding with rest between sucking and breathing.
Remove the nasal/throat mucus using a bulb syringe.
Monitor the baby’s breathing; let the doctor know if you have concerns about how your baby is breathing.
If your baby has nasal stuffiness, it will be important to discuss sleep positions with your baby’s doctor. They sometimes recommend a small wedge under the mattress to elevate your baby’s head, so they don’t choke on the mucus.
Consider a formula change to reduce nasal stuffiness (often related to food sensitivity).
You may want to consider a formula change if the infant has a sensitivity to the formula that is causing nasal stuffiness.
Use a Humidifier in the room when the baby is sleeping.
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY
The Joy of Touch Time (amazon.com) has strategies for infant massage for face and nose if congestion is present.
SPEECH PATHOLOGY
Try to keep airways clear to promote language production.
If frequently congested ask for referral to ENT to address fluid in the ears as this can result in language delays.
Facial infant massage to help break up secretions is recommended (Joy of Touch Time is one technique that is available).
Make sure to keep the baby’s head higher than hips so that mucous drains.