How to Treat a Baby's Runny Nose

 doesn't necessarily mean that he will be prescribed a course of antibiotics during the visit.”

The most common snot colors and their meanings include: 

• Clear: Normal, but could be a sign of a cold or allergies (especially if it’s stringy)
• White: Your child is likely coming down with a cold or upper respiratory infection
• Yellow and green: The body is trying to fight off infections and may show up after a few days of being sick

Is My Baby's Runny Nose a Sinus Infection?

If you suspect your baby has a sinus infection, here are the main symptoms to look out for: 

• Cold symptoms such as runny/stuffy nose and/or cough lasting more than 10 days without improvement
• Thick, yellow nasal mucus accompanied by a fever that lasts three or four days in a row
• A bad headache, typically around the eyes, that can get worse upon bending over
• Swelling and dark circles around the eyes, which may be more prominent in the morning

If you suspect a sinus infection, it’s important to contact a health care provider. If it is found to be bacterial sinusitis, your child will likely be given an antibiotic treatment.

Treatment for a Runny Nose

Luckily, there are various forms of treatment for a runny nose, depending on your child’s age and accompanying symptoms. As always, be sure to discuss any treatments or remedies with a health care provider.

At-Home Treatment 

“Home remedies can be just as helpful with cold symptoms as OTC medications,” says Dr. Wawrin. She suggests the following: 

• Honey as a cough suppressant for children over 1 year of age (either taken by a spoon or mixed in warm fluid)
• A cool-mist humidifier for congestion
• Children’s vapor rub to soothe and open nasal passages (especially for sleep). But do not put it directly in the nose as it can block their airway.
• A child-friendly product to help remove mucus, such as a suction bulb or NoseFrida

Saline nose drops or spray can also help relieve the stuffiness, says Dr. Segura. She also stresses the importance of keeping your little one hydrated! “The most important thing to do is to ensure they are hydrating with water, breastmilk, formula, milk, juice, or broth. This will help replace any fluids lost caused by a runny nose or sweating from a fever,” she explains.