Skip to main content

Solved: How to clear your toddler’s blocked nose at night so everyone sleeps

Sleep better with these stuffy nose tricks for your toddler

Toddler girl sleeping with plush bear
Evgeny Atamanenko / Shutterstock

Toddlers are germ magnets and seem to always have stuffy noses. Too often, this leads to sleepless nights for them and you. If your toddler has a blocked nose at night, we know you both need relief. Fortunately, we can help you all get some sleep and help your little one breathe easier. We’ll explain home remedies for a toddler’s blocked nose and also when to worry about whether your little one can breathe while trying to sleep.

A mom putting her toddler to sleep.
Antonio Guillem / Shutterstock

How can I help my toddler’s stuffy nose?

The best ways to deal with a stuffy nose take a bit longer, so deal with them during the day instead of waiting til the middle of the night. Prevention is key to not having to wake up in the middle of the night, though there are still remedies that work quickly if needed.

Recommended Videos

During the day and at bedtime, use steam as much as possible. Medical News Today suggests using steam to break up congestion before bedtime, at bedtime, and overnight. It loosens thick mucus and makes it easier for a child to breathe. In the case of nasal congestion, it will help the stuffiness run right out instead of being blocked up.

The way to get this steam to your child is to offer a warm, steamy bath at bedtime to break up the mucus before going to bed (of course, not too hot). Let your little one soak for a while and keep the bathroom door closed (with you inside to monitor) and maybe close the shower curtain as well to keep the steam in. (Don’t turn the bathroom fan on and start bedtime a little early to allow extra steaming time.) You can also sit with your child in the bathroom outside of the tub and let the shower run very hot (this time not with your or your child inside) and sit in the steamy room.

Overnight, to keep the steam going, use a cool mist humidifier in their bedroom. Keep the humidifier clean since mold can grow in damp places and do not leave your child alone with the humidifier within reach. Keeping your child well-hydrated also helps with a stuffy nose. All of that water will thin out the mucus and if the stuffed nose is coming from a cold or other illness, staying hydrated is also good practice for flushing out sickness and preventing dehydration.

A young child having help blowing his nose.
HelloRF ZCool / Shutterstock

How do I clear my toddler’s stuffy nose at night?

If these preventative measures haven’t helped and you’re stuck with a very stuffed-up toddler in the middle of the night and need quick remedies, here are a few things you can try.

  • Saline nasal spray or drops. Since it is only salt water and not medicine, this is safe for toddlers. This can flush out congestion immediately to get back to sleep.
  • Nose Frida. This device lets you suck out the congestion in an instant. Just like with saline, it may return, but you can both get back to bed for the time being.
  • Bulb suction. If the Nose Frida grosses you out, try the traditional bulb suction associated with infant care to suck out the congestion.

Unfortunately, you can’t give toddlers medicine yet that will help with their congestion. Ask your pediatrician if there is anything else you can do for your child or if the stuffy nose has gone on for a long time and you are concerned.

Parent taking care of a sick child, helping them blow their nose.
Westend61 / Adobe Stock

Can a toddler suffocate from a stuffy nose?

Like adults, toddlers will generally breathe through their mouths when they can’t breathe through their noses. If you think your toddler’s lungs are compromised by the mucus, call the doctor. Otherwise, a blocked nose should not be a problem if your child’s mouth is clear, even if it is uncomfortable and not ideal for a few nights. Mouth breathing is possible and OK temporarily, but only for the length of a typical cold. As always, if you are concerned about your child’s breathing, trust your gut and seek medical attention.

A father wiping a fussy baby's nose.
Martinedoucet / Getty Images

Why does my toddler’s nose get stuffy at night?

If you’ve noticed your toddler has developed a pattern where their nose only seems to get stuffy at night after an otherwise fairly uneventful day, you may be dealing with something more than a common cold. According to the experts at Pediatric ENT of Oklahoma, this could be caused by something as simple as seasonal allergies or something a bit more complex like adenoids, a deviated septum, or a blocked airway. Always consult with your doctor if you notice anything unusual or if your child’s stuffy nose is persistent.

Seattle Children’s Hospital advises seeing a doctor right away if your child is still having trouble breathing after clearing out the nose. The experts there also advise contacting the doctor during office hours (but not an urgent visit) if a blocked nose is waking your child from sleep.

Sarah Prager
Sarah is a writer and mom who lives in Massachusetts. Her writing has appeared in The New York Times, The Atlantic, National…
Your toddler feels out of control if they are doing this
Toddler pulling hair may mean they're feeling out of control
Toddler pulling their hair

The toddler years are full of development and discovery. Naturally, all those new experiences can be a bit overwhelming for them at times. Toddlers don't always know how to process their emotions which can often lead to some behaviors you may find troubling. They can become frustrated as they try to process all this new information. They don't call them the "terrible twos" for nothing!

While temper tantrums and meltdowns come hand in hand with having a toddler, there are other behaviors that may be a sign that they're not quite feeling like themselves. If your toddler is pulling their own hair, it may be because they feel out of control, which can be completely understandable. Toddlers pulling their hair is a very common behavior and is often a form of self-soothing that helps them cope with stressful situations. If you've noticed your toddler has begun to pull their hair, there are some things you can do to help.
Is it normal for toddlers to pull their hair?

Read more
Teaching your toddler boundaries without hurting your bond
A guide to setting healthy boundaries with your toddler
A toddler on a log with a parent.

Babies are known for gnawing on anything they can get their hands on, including your face! This behavior is cute when you're cuddling your infant, but it becomes much less cute and infinitely more painful when that infant becomes a toddler and has teeth. No magic switch turns your infant into a polite mini human the moment they turn into a 1-year-old. It’s a gradual, years-long process that you’ll guide.

That means teaching the toddler boundaries. It’s a challenge that you and your little one are up for tackling together. Here’s how to handle all of it — and why it’s one of your most important roles as a parent.
What is the best age to start?

Read more
A complete guide on how to get your toddler to start tying their own shoes
Fun tips to help toddlers master shoe tying
A parent teaching a toddler girls how to tie her sneaker

Getting your child to tie their shoelaces isn't always an easy task. Like many milestones, there are no hard and set rules as to when a child will suddenly master this task. While there isn't a magic number as to when kids should reach the shoe-tying milestone, most children master tying their shoes by first grade, while others may accomplish the task with confidence in second or third grade.

Learning to tie shoes is an important accomplishment that can be difficult for some children. While adults think nothing of double-knotting shoes before heading out the door, the simple action is rather involved. Shoe tying encompasses visual perception skills, hand-eye coordination, and defined fine motor skills. Fine motor skills are the small muscles in the hands and fingers. Shoe tying relies on those fingers to make and pull those bunny ears tightly so shoes don't quickly become untied.

Read more