What can you do at home to help your child with bronchiolitis?

What can you do at home to help your child with bronchiolitis?

You can try some things that might make your child feel better. These suggestions treat the symptoms, not the disease.

Breathing

For congestion, you can use saline nose drops that your provider or pharmacist recommends to make mucus thinner. If your child is 6 months old or younger, you can get mucus out of your child’s nose with a suction bulb. This involves squeezing the bulb before putting the tip gently into one nostril. When you slowly let go, mucus that is stuck will be drawn out because of the suction.

Your child might have an easier time breathing if they are sitting up. A humidifier will keep the air moist, which could help with breathing and coughing. Keep your child away from any kind of airborne irritant, like cigarette smoke, strong perfumes or strong-smelling cleaners.

Fever

For fever, your child can get the recommended dose of acetaminophen (Tylenol®) for their age, but do not use any other cold treatments or other medications unless your provider tells you to do so. Do not give your child aspirin.

Feeding

Preventing dehydration is a significant part of keeping your child well. Make sure that your child gets enough liquid. They might prefer water or other clear liquids to milk or formula. They might not be hungry. You might find it easier to give smaller amounts of food or liquid at one time but increase the number of times you feed your child.