How to care for a baby who frequently has a stuffy nose

Patient's question:

Patient Age: Born 45 days
Condition Description: The infant frequently experiences nasal congestion, which can be relieved by applying sesame oil drops in the nose. It is unknown whether this is harmful to the infant.
Previous Treatment and Effect: No treatment has been administered, only sesame oil drops are used to relieve the symptoms.
Desired Help: To relieve the infant's nasal congestion.

Doctor's answer:

1 If the blockage is caused by nasal secretions, you can gently roll out the secretions with a cotton swab. If the secretions are dry, apply some ointment or eye ointment first, or use a cotton swab dipped in water and drop it into the baby's nostril. It must be done in moderation to make it soft and no longer sticky to the mucous membrane, then use the cotton swab to remove it. Alternatively, let the baby cry for a while, let the tears moisten the crust, soften the crust, and then gently pull it out with your hand.
2 Apply a warm, damp towel to the nose. When the nasal mucosa contracts due to heat, the nasal passage will become more open, and thick mucus will be easier to liquefy and flow out, relieving nasal congestion. It is essential to be gentle during the warm compress.
3 Mothers can try changing the baby's position: lie on the right side when the left nose is blocked, and on the left side when the right nose is blocked, which can help alleviate nasal congestion.
4 Nasal acupressure: For older children, sit in a seated position (infants should lie flat). Use the thumb and index finger to massage the sides of the nose from top to bottom for 3 minutes, then press and rub the Yingshi acupoint (sides of the nose) for 1 minute. When a warm sensation is felt in the nasal cavity, breathing will become easier. Repeat every 2–3 hours to effectively relieve nasal congestion.
5 When an infant has nasal congestion and cries incessantly, holding the baby upright can help alleviate the congestion and make it easier for the baby to fall asleep.
6 If nasal congestion affects the child's sleep, elevate the head by 30 degrees to relieve the symptoms.
7 Pay attention to indoor ventilation and try to maintain the room temperature between 24–26°C and humidity between 60–70%. In cold weather, use an air conditioner or heater to adjust the room temperature, which can help relieve the child's nasal congestion and runny nose symptoms.