What should you know about bronchiolitis treatments at home?

Bronchiolitis inflames the small airways and can make mucus harder to clear. Supportive care helps the child drink, rest and breathe as comfortably as possible while the illness settles. It does not replace assessment when breathing effort or hydration is deteriorating.

Keep the child away from cigarette smoke, vaping aerosols and strong fragrances. A cough or wheeze may continue for a while, so track whether the child is alert, drinking and producing wet nappies rather than focusing on sound alone. See [Bronchiolitis](/conditions/bronchiolitis/) for broader context.

Offer smaller feeds more often, with pauses for breathing. Hold the child upright while awake and clear visible nasal mucus gently using advice from a healthcare professional. Let the child rest and check breathing regularly, including during sleep if advised. Do not use over-the-counter cough medicines, antibiotics or medicated vapours unless a clinician has recommended them. For a personalised check, use a [Child Health Consultation](/treatments/consultations-and-assessment/child-health-consultation/).

Get emergency help if the child has blue or grey lips, pauses in breathing, severe chest pulling, is limp or difficult to wake, or cannot drink. Seek prompt medical advice if feeds are much smaller, wet nappies are reduced, fever is concerning for the child, or breathing is worsening. Do not wait for home measures to work when these changes appear.

Ask which fluids and feeding pattern suit the child, how to recognise increased breathing effort and when to arrange review. Ask whether a [Nebuliser Treatment](/treatments/acute-and-urgent-care/nebuliser-treatment/) has any role; wheezing can have several causes, so treatment should follow an assessment.