# Stuffy Nose and Colds in Newborns and Babies Under 3 Months

> Easing congestion with saline and suction, feeding through a cold, what not to give, and fever rules under 3 months.

Stage: newborn - Topic: Health - Page: https://www.askcladle.com/guides/newborn/stuffy-nose-and-colds-in-young-babies

Grounded in: AAP HealthyChildren ("Fever and Your Baby", colds and nasal congestion guidance), CDC guidance on RSV prevention, and FDA guidance on cough and cold medicines. Summarized in Cradle's own words; none of these sources endorse Cradle. General information, not medical advice.

Reviewed: 2026-11

## TLDR

- Saline drops then gentle suction before feeds and sleep; offer shorter, more frequent feeds and count wet diapers.
- No cough and cold medicines, no honey under 12 months, and call before any medicine under 12 weeks.
- Under 3 months, a rectal temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher or labored breathing means call right away; blue lips means 911.

## Stuffy, or sick?

- Many newborns sound stuffy with no illness at all: small nasal passages, milk, and dry air (see the
  breathing sounds guide). Sneezing alone is usually not a cold.
- A cold looks different: runny or thick nasal mucus, a cough, maybe fussiness, often with someone
  else in the home sick too.
- Young babies catch colds from siblings, visitors and childcare. Most are mild, but under 3 months
  babies can get sicker quickly and fever means something different. For older babies, see the
  colds and fevers guide.

## Easing congestion

1. A few drops of saline in each nostril.
2. Wait 30-60 seconds, then suction gently with a bulb syringe or nasal aspirator.
3. Do this before feeds and sleep. More often irritates the nose.
- Run a cool-mist humidifier in the room. No hot-steam vaporizers, which can burn.
- Hold the baby upright for some awake time. For sleep, always flat on the back: no wedges, pillows
  or tilted mattresses.
- Wipe the nose and the skin underneath with a soft cloth; a thin layer of petroleum jelly protects
  sore skin.

## Feeding through a cold

- Babies breathe through their noses while feeding, so congestion makes feeds harder. Clear the nose
  first, and offer shorter, more frequent feeds.
- Keep breastfeeding or chestfeeding if you're the one who's sick; your milk carries antibodies.
- Count wet diapers. Fewer than usual is an early sign of not getting enough.
- No water, juice or homemade remedies under 6 months.

## What not to give

- No cough and cold medicines; they aren't safe for babies. No honey under 12 months. No vapor rubs
  on young babies, and no essential oils or nasal sprays other than saline.
- Under about 12 weeks, check with the pediatrician before giving any medicine, including fever
  medicine.

## Checking for fever

- Take a rectal temperature if your baby feels warm, seems unwell, or is feeding poorly. See the
  temperature guide for how.
- Under 3 months, a rectal temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher is never a wait-and-see fever.

## Protecting young babies

- Handwashing for everyone who holds the baby; ask sick visitors to wait (see the visitors guide).
- RSV protection: a vaccine given in late pregnancy, or an antibody shot for the baby, both lower
  the chance of serious RSV. Ask which applies to your family and season.
- Keep the home smoke- and vape-free.

## Signs a cold is getting more serious

- Breathing faster than about 60 breaths a minute, ribs or neck pulling in, nostrils flaring,
  grunting.
- Pauses in breathing, or too breathless to feed.
- Fewer wet diapers, much sleepier than usual, or a cough that causes color change.

## When to check in

- Let the pediatrician's office know about any cold in a baby under 3 months, especially if it is
  affecting feeding.
- Call right away, day or night, for a rectal temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or for any of
  the signs above.
- If lips or face look blue or gray, or the baby stops breathing, call 911.