How to Get Mucus Out of a Baby’s Chest

Does your little one need extra help with their cough after being sick? We’ll take you through how to get mucus out of baby’s chest.
Chesty cough got everyone down? It’s no fun when your baby can’t seem to shake the mucus from their chest.

And coughs can drag on long after the infection that caused them has gone.

So how do you get mucus out of a baby’s chest?

We’ve got all the tips and tricks you need to get them feeling better.

In this article: 📝

How to decongest a baby

Your little one can usually clear their chest on their own, but it might take them a few weeks.

Thankfully, there are some things that you can do to help speed up the process.

First up, always ask your doctor for advice if you’re worried about your little one or if they take a turn for the worse as they’re getting over an infection.

But if they appear to be healing just fine, rest, hydration, and some simple movements can help shake the mucus loose.

How to decongest a baby: tips and tricks

1. Raise the humidity

If your baby’s nose and airways are moist, the mucus is less likely to dry out and get stuck.

And there are some handy gadgets that can help here.

Cool mist humidifiers add extra moisture to the air inside your home.

They’re especially useful in the room where your little one sleeps.

If congestion becomes a common problem for them, a home nebulizer (which creates a vapor from distilled water that you breathe through a mask) can also be a solid investment.

If you don’t have one of these devices on hand, you can create a similar effect by hanging out with your baby in a steamy room.

The bathroom with the shower running works well.

Just make sure you keep your little one away from any very hot water.

2. Keep them hydrated

You can also keep the mucus in baby’s chest moving by keeping them hydrated.

This means extra feeds for tiny babies.

Kids already on solids might like some clear chicken soup with their meals.

Apple sauce or fruit juice popsicles can also keep their fluids up while soothing their sore throat. Win-win!

3. Get them moving

Mucus can collect in your little one’s chest while they’re lying still.

That’s why their cough is often worse in the morning.

If they’re already on the move, letting them crawl around will help to clear their chest.

If they’re still tiny, holding them upright against your shoulder instead can also help.

Pro tip: singing songs where your little one bounces on your knee can be a fun way to shake some mucus loose.

4. Give them a pat on the back

It’s instinct to pat our babies when we’re trying to soothe them, and it’s genuinely useful when it comes to decongesting them.

The tried-and-tested method is to cup your hand and pat your little one’s chest as quickly as you can.

You can pat them on both sides of their back, on their chest, and on their sides for about thirty seconds at a time.

Repeating this exercise three or four times a day can really help them cough up the mucus sitting in their lungs.

5. Rest

Movement helps to ease baby congestion, and playtime can be a welcome distraction.

But rest is also really important when they’re getting over a cold or chest infection.

You can help toddlers to sleep by placing a rolled-up towel under their mattress to raise their head slightly and stop the mucus from settling on their chest.

For babies, it’s best to stick to safe sleep advice, including sleeping on a flat, firm mattress.

And if the only place they want to nap right now is on your chest or in a baby carrier, that rest is going to work wonders too.

Wishing your little one a speedy recovery!