Night-time phlem - Baby won't sleep. Any ideas?

spookmeister

Hi folks.

I have two apologies.

1. For using saying Phlem - sorry but there's no other word.

2. I know this isn't directly a money-saving issue but if I don't help to get rid of it then I don't get my sleep which means I may do something rash like buy a new car or buy my wife something she neither likes or wants for Christmas (not that I haven't already!). Besides I also put it here because I know this forum is frequented by lots of parents.

So, if you have any ideas about easying the stuff or better still helping to bring it up and out (he appears hugely relieved after doing so) we'd appreciate it.

By the way. My son is only 5 weeks old - just in case you ideas aren't suitable for that age - and just incase you're wondering yes he is gorgeous!

Huge thanks,

S.

Queenie

First, congrats on your wee one!

As he is just 5 weeks old many products sold are of little or no value as his body is too young to cope.

Are you certain it is phlegm and not posset? (Posset is basically a teeny amount of food which they often bring up after a feed, sometimes a while after. It will make them restless and grumpy, just like "wind" until they get it up).

If he is chesty, do not hesitate to take him to the Dr's. and get an expert opinion!

If the Dr feels there is no chest infection or somesuch, then try using an oil burner in the room where he sleeps. Instead of putting oil in the top part (which gets heater by a tealight in the bottom part) add a little vapour run which will melt down gradually and send menthol into the air.

I can't recall the minium age usage on Karvol (little capsules that you split open and add the drops to the baby's blanket so they inhale the menthol gradually), but that is another option.

HTH

sunsetgirl

Hi there,
we had lots of phlem with our little boy so I can understand how you feel.
We used to sit in the bathroom with the bath tap running a hot bath (for us not baby!)
and the warm steam always did wonders!
but I agree with the previous listing....get baby listened to by a doctor incase they need a bit of medicine.
hope all is better soon and good luck with the sleep.
Dawn

beanytot

You could also try a wet towel over the radiator which helps to humidify the room. I read somewhere that central heating makes the air very dry and can aggravate chest complaints. I put a few drops of Karvol on mine but I'm also not sure about the age limit for this.

I like the idea of the bath running - all that steam will help too. I think Johnson's do a 'breatheasy' bath which is safe from newborn. There are other products but, unfortunately, I think the baby has to be over 6 months.

Oh, something else I can remember my health visitor telling me when our wee lad was full of snot (see, I'm not posh enough to say phlem!!), you can try raising the top of the cot up so the baby is sleeping at a bit of an angle. Either a phone directory under each top leg or a rolled up blanket under the mattress.

Good luck!

christmas_donkey

A hot steamy bath before bedtime worked wonders for my brood. It made their noses run whilst they were in the bath as it cleared their sinuses which would give a few hours releif.

Squidgy

Hi guys, just checked our karvol and it says not to be used on babies under 3 months (sorry to be the bearer of bad news!).

I would go with the steamy room and humidifier ideas. Have tried the angle method on my daughter, but it never seemed to work as she just ended up down the other side of her cot.

Good luck x

nikiyoung

Hi I had a simular problem with my daughter. try putting the car seat in the cot or a baby bouncer and putting baby in this saves your phone books (keeping the baby upright makes the snott go to the tummy and not to the head!). Also snuffle babe (mild version of Karvol) which i think is for new born babys and also check a chemist / heath visitor / doctor about saline drops - clears a stuffy nose by washing it away!
Hope you have a good night's sleep.

Jay-Jay_4

Just to echo other points, switch off the central heating or leave the window open a fraction just to let a bit of fresh air in.

Snufflebabe is good, bit like Vicks Vapour rub but milder and yes, the saline drops are excellent if you can get them up the baby's nose. Persevere and you can really clear the snotty stuff quickly. They're available from chemists for about 80p.

Just in case anyone is wondering, saline drops are the same as 'tears' so nice and natural for baby.

Yoga_Girl

We've got a humidifier which basically works by releasing a constant stream of "warm mist" (steam) into the air , some of them also give you the option of adding aromatherapy oils. Argos used to sell a range of them, basically they do the same job as a steam bath except you can transport them round the house.

Whilst baby is in the bath you can also keep running the hot tap in the sink to create more steam in the bathroom.

kissmekate_2

Hi

Try a bit of Reflexology.... Very gently rub with your fore finger at the base of where the toes meet the foot, on the top of the foot. This is connected to the chest area (the toes are connected to the head area so you could also try rubbing these) Some babies like having their feet rubbed, but others cannot stand the tickles. If the latter is the case then try rubbing their hands and fingers where they connect to the hand as these are also related to the head and chest area.

Hope this helps

Greenstuff_2

I would guess he's bottle fed as it sounds like he's allergic to cow's milk.
Many babies and children are, and it causes mucus build up which will also affect his ears causing ear infections and hearing problems later on.
If he is bottle fed, change him to goats milk formula and the problem will dissapear in about a week.
It's far better for babies regardless as it's nearer human milk and more easily digested meaning they get more nutrients.
The only one I know of is called Nanny, it's availiable in health shops but if you search I'm sure you could find somewhere online.
If you choose soya (which can actually be another common allergen) then go for organic as soya is usually GM.