My 5-month-old has nasal congestion and I can hear his nose blocked when he breathes. Saline drops help but not fully. How can I use ajwain potli and what’s the best way to keep him cool at night without worsening the block?

Moms use a mix of saline drops, nasal aspiration, ajwain potli, gentle steam, and AC at a mild temperature with added humidity to ease baby nasal congestion.

Community Answers from Moms(15)

Here's what moms in our community shared based on their own experience.

1. 1

   For an ajwain potli, moms roast ajwain in a pan, tie it into a small cloth bundle, and place it near the baby’s head or even in the shirt pocket so the vapour helps with congestion.

2. 2

   You can also put saline drops several times a day and then use a nasal aspirator a few minutes later to remove loosened mucus.

3. 3

   Some moms run a hot shower and sit with baby in the steamy bathroom for a few minutes or use a humidifier to add moisture to the air.

4. 4

   Instead of a strong overhead fan, moms suggest using AC at 25–27°C, keeping baby out of direct airflow, and placing a bowl of water in the room to reduce dryness.

5. 5

   For US moms, pediatricians often recommend saline + nasal suction, cool-mist humidifiers, and calling the doctor if congestion impacts feeding, breathing, or sleep significantly.

6. 6

   Heat garlic cloves and ajwain in mustard oil, let it cool, and massage baby's feet with the oil. This is a traditional remedy that many moms found helpful for cough and congestion. Use carefully — garlic can cause skin sensitivity in some newborns.

7. 7

   A cut onion placed in the room helps with breathing at night. Also, mucolite drops (doctor-prescribed) can liquify mucus and make suction more effective.

8. 8

   Use saline nasal drops/spray every 2-3 hours; after about 5 minutes use a nasal aspirator to remove phlegm.

9. 9

   Dry-roast ajwain (some add roasted garlic), wrap it warm in a muslin/cotton cloth, and keep it near the baby or in his shirt pocket - the vapour helps. You can also gently massage it on the chest and back.

10. 10

    Warm mustard oil with a bit of garlic and carom seeds (ajwain), cool it, and gently massage the baby's feet/heels for cough relief (do a patch test first as skin is sensitive).

11. 11

    For humidity, run AC at 25-27 with a bowl of water in the room rather than a fan. If using a fan, keep the baby out of direct airflow - an on-bed mosquito net with a muslin cloth can act as a barrier.

12. 12

    Avoid using a home nebuliser machine on small babies; saline nebulisation may be okay but is safer done at a hospital. Mucolite thins mucus but only use it on your pediatrician's advice.

13. 13

    A cut half/quarter onion in the room can help. Garlic should be used carefully on newborns as it can cause allergy on very sensitive skin.

14. 14

    Mother Sparsh roll-on near where the baby sleeps and below the neck on clothing can give relief.

15. 15

    Heat oil/Vicks on a betel (paan) leaf over a candle until brownish, cool it, and place on the baby's chest and back.