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…
Potty training regression: Tips to get your child back on track
How to spot potty training regression and help your child get over this bump
A mother helping her toddler on the potty

Potty training is a huge milestone for both the child and the parent. The child gains confidence and independence, not being labeled as a baby in diapers anymore, and getting to use the bathroom like a big kid is a huge deal. For parents, the milestone of not having to change diapers anymore — and not having to buy diapers anymore — might bring out a little happy dance.

But sometimes, milestones hit a bump in the road. If your child has been potty trained, but you notice a slip in their progress all of a sudden, you could have a case of potty training regression on your hands. Here's what that looks like and how you can get your child back in the swing of things.
What is potty training regression?

Read more
Toddlers and tantrums: Why they strip when upset
How to handle this common toddler behavior
Angry toddler in pink

Toddlers are no strangers to temper tantrums, but parents may find themselves at their wit's end trying to figure out why their toddlers behave the way they do when they throw a tantrum. The toddler years are full of developmental milestones, which can cause some extremely big feelings. Toddlers often find themselves overwhelmed by all the new things they constantly learn and sometimes struggle to express themselves. Sometimes, these emotions are cute or even a little funny, but during full-blown tantrums, those same emotions can be far from amusing.

From holding their breath to kicking and screaming, our littles express their anger in a variety of ways. Sometimes, these behaviors may seem unconventional. For instance, some toddlers take their clothes off when they are angry. Like mini Hulks, your toddler’s anger may boil until they can't contain themself and the clothes come off.

Read more
Should you be concerned if your toddler walks on their toes? Experts weigh in
When to call your doctor about your toddler's toe-walking
Toddler sitting down with toes pointing towards camera

Walking is a developmental milestone that is exciting not just for parents but for your little one as well. There's a sense of independence your child will gain once they begin walking that opens up a whole new world of exploration. And once your little one has gone from crawler to walker and has their legs firmly beneath them, you may notice another development — toe-walking.

While it may seem like your new walker is destined for stardom as a ballerina, there could be an underlying physiological or developmental cause for why toddlers walk on their toes; instead of just a quirky preference. Here are just a few reasons your little one might toe-walk and what you can do about it.
Why toddlers walk on their toes

Read more