11-Month-Old Experiencing Week-Long Sneezing Without Fever
My baby, who is 11 months old, measures 71 cm in height and weighs 6.7 kg. For the past week, she has been sneezing quite a lot and has a clear nasal discharge, but there’s no sign of fever or coughing—just the sneezing episodes. We maintain the temperature in her room at 25°C with the air conditioning. Recently, she has been waking up frequently throughout the night and seems to be having difficulties sleeping soundly. Additionally, she often rubs her nose, even as she attempts to rest. I’ve tried using saline drops to alleviate her nasal congestion, but I haven't noticed any significant improvement yet. Has anyone faced a similar situation with their little one?
Answers (1)
6/19/2025, 7:40:43 PM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like your baby is experiencing significant nasal irritation, which can be quite common at this age. The sneezing and clear nasal discharge without other symptoms like fever or cough suggest possible causes such as allergies, irritants in the environment, or even a mild viral illness.
Explanation
Sneezing and congestion in infants could be triggered by several factors, including:
- Allergies: Dust, pollen, or pet dander can cause sneezing and nasal discharge.
- Environmental Irritants: Air conditioning can dry out the air and irritate the nasal passages.
- Viral Infection: Even without fever or cough, a mild viral cold could lead to these symptoms.
Since she's also having trouble sleeping and rubbing her nose, it might indicate discomfort from the congestion or irritation.
Next Steps
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Continue Using Saline Drops: Keep using saline nasal drops to help thin the mucus and make it easier for her to breathe. You can also consider using a bulb syringe to gently suction any excess mucus from her nose.
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Humidity Levels: Consider a cool mist humidifier in her room to add moisture to the air, which can help relieve nasal irritation and improve sleep. Ensure to clean the humidifier frequently to prevent mold growth.
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Monitor Environment: Check her environment for potential allergens or irritants. Try to minimize dust and remove any known allergens, like pet hair or strong scents from cleaning products.
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Upright Sleeping Position: Elevating her head slightly when she sleeps might help with congestion and make her more comfortable.
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Watch for Changes: Keep an eye on her symptoms. If she develops a fever, has difficulty breathing, shows signs of fatigue, or if the sneezing continues for more than another week without improvement, it may be important to look further into her symptoms.
Reassurance
It’s understandable to be concerned about your baby’s well-being, especially when sleep is disrupted. Most causes of sneezing and clear nasal discharge are benign and can often be managed at home. You're taking good steps by using saline and monitoring her environment, so be patient, and hopefully, she will start to feel better soon! If you have further concerns, you can always reach out for guidance.
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