If your baby is suffering from chest congestion, there are many paediatric medicines that your doctor might prescribe. However, it is best to limit harsh medication as far as possible since your little one is very delicate. Home remedies can always come handy when you are looking for immediate relief for your child, without severe allopathic medicines. In fact, some of them are so effective that you can continue with them along with the prescribed medicines from your paediatrician as well.

Causes and Symptoms of Chest Congestion

The most-common causes for chest congestion in children include contraction of flu virus from adults or other kids and low immunity. Babies can easily get infected with common cold or flu and suffer from chest congestion. Watch out for these symptoms of chest congestion in children: 

• Difficulty in breathing
• Wheezing sound from nose or chest
• Mild to high fever
• Blocked nose
• Loss of appetite
• Crankiness or crying all day
• Cough with phlegm
• Sleeplessness

WATCH: Dr. Shaheena Athif Shares Tips To Cure Chest Congestion in Kids

7 Easy and Effective Home Remedies For Chest Congestion

Much like other illnesses that plague little children, there are a lot of easy and effective home remedies for chest congestion available too. Not only are these handy is descongesting the chest, they are also organic and have little to no side-effects.

1. Clear Soup and Lukewarm Water

   Age: 1 year old and above
   
   Children are fussy eaters - more so when they are not well. This can lead to dehydration and could dry up the mucus in their chests leading to severe chest congestion. One of the most effective remedies for chest congestion is to feed them lots of fluids. Give your child clear soups if he is above a year old. This chicken soup is especially good to raise immunity levels and help your child feel comfortable. You can also try this vegetable soup in case your child is a vegetarian. Lukewarm water between intervals can also make up for the loss of fluids from the body. 
   
   

2. Vapo-rubs

   Age: 1 year old and above
   
   Yes, vapo-rubs can provide instant relief to your child if he is having difficulty breathing. You might consider vapo-rubs as one of the quickest remedies for chest congestion. Apply it to your child's chest and soles at night. It will help him to sleep well. You can also mix vapo-rubs in hot water and leave it in your child's room to offer some relief from congestion. Keep a ball of cotton with some vapo-rub near his pillow to help him breathe freely.

3. Turmeric Milk

   Age: 1 year old and above
   
   Give your child a cup of warm milk with powdered turmeric in it. This is one of the most popular ways to relieve kids of chest congestion. The good old turmeric has been part of Indian medication for many years and really has tremendous medicinal value!
   
   

4. Basil Juice With Honey

   Age: 1 year old and above
   
   Crush some basil leaves to form a smooth paste and add a teaspoon of honey to it. Feed this to your child twice or thrice a day to give him relief from chest congestion. This mixture helps fight against phlegm.||

5. Mustard Oil and Ajwain Massage

   Age: 3 months old and above
   
   This oil massage is proven to alleviate symptoms of chest congestion. Heat some mustard oil and add ajwain/carom seeds to it. When they turn brown, remove the mixture from heat. You can also add some chopped garlic cloves to the mixture. Once cool, massage this on the soles of your baby's feet to help relieve his congestion.
   
   
   

6. Raised Pillow

   Age: 3 months old and above
   
   If your little one hs chest congestion, it is important to keep his body elevated to aid breathing. Keep a soft pillow under your child's head to keep his nose from getting blocked. You can put a soft, folded cloth under your infant's mattress that will keep his head a bit elevated while sleeping. 

7. Lemon Juice

   Age: 1 year old and above
   
   Vitamin C is very effective treatment for kids suffering from congestion. Lemon is a god source of Vitamin C and can be used here. Just take some hot water and add lemon zest in it. You can also add some honey to sweeten the mixture, if your baby is older than a year. This mixture will help kill the bacteria that are causing the congestion and speed up cure.

READ THIS NEXT! 12 Home Remedies To Cure Your Baby's Cough and Cold

Chest congestion in children is not life-threatening in most cases. However, you must ensure to keep your child as comfortable as possible while breathing. Children cannot blow their nose which aggravates congested chests. Keep nose cleaners like bulb syringes at home that can suck out the mucus from your baby's nose and give him instant relief. Consult a paediatrician immediately if your baby's body temperature stays above 102° F or if you see any sign of dehydration. 

Finally, remember, nothing can give your baby more comfort than your arms. So hold your baby as much as possible to make your love and presence felt when he is unwell. Take care!