A baby's nose, unlike an adult's, doesn't have cartilage. So when that nose is pressed against an object, like a stuffed animal, couch cushions or even a parent's arm while sleeping in bed, it can flatten easily. With the opening to its nostrils blocked, the baby can't breathe and suffocates.
Just make sure to put the towel under the mattress, as no pillows or blankets should ever go in the crib with your baby while they sleep. Also, remember that you should always put your baby to sleep on their back.
Lay your baby belly down on your forearm, with their head lowered slightly. Firmly but gently tap baby's upper back with the palm of your hand. This should dislodge the mucus ball and your baby will happily drool away. Call 911 immediately if your baby is not breathing as usual within a few seconds of doing this.
To clean your baby's tongue and gums correctly, you should:
- Make a habit of cleaning after feeding.
- Gently cradle your baby in one arm during the cleaning.
- Use a damp gauze or washcloth, or a silicone baby tongue cleaner.
- Gently massage their gums, tongue, and inner cheeks.
Mild to moderate congestion is common in babies and should only last for a few days. If a caregiver is concerned about a baby's ability to breathe or their baby is under 3 months old and has a fever, they should seek medical help as soon as possible.
If your child's stuffiness is accompanied by a fever, ear pain, a sore throat and/or swollen glands, or you suspect there is a foreign object stuck in her nose, call your pediatrician right away.
Suction should only be to the tip of the ETT, and should never exceed more than 0.5cm beyond the tip of the ETT, to prevent mucosal irritation and injury. Measurement of length to suction is to be predetermined at shift commencement.
Routine Suctioning Is UnnecessaryThe World Health Organization (WHO) now advises against routine bulb suctioning of neonates in the minutes following birth. If the baby is born through clear amniotic fluid and begins breathing on their own shortly after birth, do not suction.
Meconium is a newborn's first poop. This sticky, thick, dark green poop is made up of cells, protein, fats, and intestinal secretions, like bile. Babies typically pass meconium (mih-KOH-nee-em) in the first few hours and days after birth. But some babies pass meconium while still in the womb during late pregnancy.
Before feeding or nursing if his/her nose is stuffy. Your child will eat better if his/her nose is cleared. Suctioning too soon after eating or drinking may cause vomiting. If your child is having difficulty breathing after he/she vomits or “spits up.†Try to limit suctioning to two to three times a day.
How to Suction
- To use the bulb syringe, squeeze the air out of the bulb.
- Gently place the tip of the squeezed bulb into a nostril.
- Release the bulb to let the air back into the bulb.
- Squeeze the mucus out of the bulb and onto a tissue.
- Suction the other nostril the same way.
Do Not Suction Too LongProlonged suctioning increases the risk of hypoxia and other complications. Never suction a patient for longer than 15 seconds. Rather than prolong suctioning, withdraw the catheter, re-oxygenate the patient, and suction again.
Your child is breathing more quickly or seems very restless. You hear a whistling or rattling sound when your child breathes. There are bubbles of mucus at the trach opening or you hear gurgling or rattling sounds as if mucus is present. Your child is having trouble breathing or eating.
Clear secretions from the mouth and nose with a clean, dry cloth. Figure 7.9 Suctioning the newborn with a bulb syringe to clear mucus from its upper airway: (top) suction the mouth first; (bottom) then suction the baby's nose ('m' before 'n').
Complications
- Suctioning can stimulate the vagal nerve, predisposing the patient to bradycardia and hypoxia.
- Hypoxia can be profound from occlusion, interruption of oxygen supply, and prolonged suctioning.
- Mucosal trauma, physical injuries, and bleeding can result from blunt or penetrating trauma.
Acrocyanosis — Acrocyanosis is often seen in healthy newborns and refers to the peripheral cyanosis around the mouth and the extremities (hands and feet) (picture 1). It is caused by benign vasomotor changes that result in peripheral vasoconstriction and increased tissue oxygen extraction and is a benign condition [4].
Doctor invented and recommended. Made in Sweden, the Frida NoseFrida is your go-to natural, hygienic baby booger buster. It's totally safe (for parents AND baby), so you can say “sayonara†to snotty noses.
One of easiest ways to clear a baby's or toddler's nose is to use a saline nasal spray. Nasal spray works by thinning out the mucus, allowing the nose to clear out and ease congestion. If you can't run to the store for saline drops or spray, try mixing one cup of warm, filtered water and a ½ teaspoon of salt.
Use saline drops to clear the baby's nose before feeding or sleeping. Use a warm washcloth or cotton swab to clean off dried, sticky mucus on nostrils.
Babies breathe primarily through their noses. If your baby's nose is congested from mucus or spit up, they may have difficulty breathing or eating. You can use the bulb syringe to clear his/her mouth and nose to help him/her. Always suction the mouth before the nose if you need to clear both areas.
Mucus is usually pushed out of the baby's lungs during a vaginal delivery, but this doesn't happen during a c-section. The mucus can make it harder for your baby to feed and it can be worrying for you. But it is normal and should get better after a few days.
After a normal vaginal birth, your newborn baby will be put on your chest for skin-to-skin contact. Your baby needs sleep and food, and they need to feel secure and warm, so they need to feel your skin.
As long as he is clean after the birth, your baby should only need topping and tailing. Topping and tailing means wiping round your baby's face and neck (topping) and washing his nappy area (tailing). Your newborn's umbilical stump should heal and fall off in a week or so.
How to remove deep boogers from a baby safely
- make sure that the baby is as calm as possible.
- start loosening any deep boogers with one or two drops of saline nose drops into each nostril.
- squeeze the air out of the suction bulb.
- insert the end of the bulb carefully into one nostril and gently start releasing it.
Medical experts recommend against using them more than three to four times a day. Excessive use can lead to nasal irritation in your baby and even nosebleeds. Aspirators can be used when you notice that your child sounds congested, has a runny nose, or you can see visible evidence that their nose is full of boogies.
What Is a Vacuum-Assisted Vaginal Delivery? During vaginal delivery, your doctor may use a vacuum to help remove your baby from the birth canal. This procedure makes delivery more rapid. It may be needed to avoid injury to the baby and to avoid cesarean section.
Newborns/Infants: 2 to 6 drops in each nostril as often as needed or as directed by a doctor. Children & adults: 2 to 6 sprays/drops into each nostril as often as needed or as directed by a doctor.
Saline solution is the only safe nasal spray for babies, infants, and toddlers. To use saline solution, lay the baby down on their back and, if possible, slightly tilt their head back (don't force it, though).
