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.
Medical experts agree that you shouldn't use it more than three to four times per day to prevent creating inflammation or nosebleeds from irritation. If your baby hates this process and cries or fights it, you're better off skipping this method, or at least waiting and trying another time.
What to Do For Your Baby's Stuffy Nose
- Nose Drops and Suction. Squeeze one to two drops of saline nose drops in each nostril to help loosen any dried mucus and then use a rubber suction bulb.
- Raise the Humidity.
- Wipe It Away.
- When to Call the Doctor.
Try to limit suctioning to two to three times a day. Suctioning more often may cause the inside of the nose to dry out, get sore and bleed.
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.
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 can only breathe through their noses (not their mouths). So when your baby's nose is stuffed up with mucus, it's much harder for him or her to breathe. When this happens, use saline nose drops or spray (available without a prescription) to loosen the mucus.
There are several pros to consider for the NoseFrida. The first is that it does not go into baby's nose so it is more comfortable than a traditional bulb syringe. If there is no need, then use a smaller suction to clean baby's nose. Another pro to the NoseFrida baby nasal aspirator is that it is easy to clean.
“If the baby has respiratory syncytial virus or flu or any other respiratory virus, the person doing the sucking would definitely have a chance of being infected.” To prevent this from happening, the NoseFrida contains a “hygiene filter,” a piece of blue foam about double the length of a pencil eraser.
- When my daughter has a stuffy or runny nose, I use the NoseFrida nasal aspirator to suck her snot out.
- Using the NoseFrida Snotsucker is very simple, if you can get over the fact that you're literally using your mouth to suck snot out of your baby's nose.
Can you NoseFrida yourself? The filter prevents your baby from ingesting any nasal discharge. As an adult, it feels awkward and uncomfortable, but it works extremely well on babies. Try it and see for yourself.
A baby with nasal congestion may have the following symptoms:
- thick nasal mucus.
- discolored nasal mucus.
- snoring or noisy breathing while asleep.
- sniffling.
- coughing.
- trouble eating, as nasal congestion makes it difficult to breathe while they suck.
They get fed up just like we would as adults. It's important to note that babies have extra sensitive skin and may feel sore as they get wiped too. As unloved as the process might be, babies do need to have their face wiped or washed often to stay clean and healthy.
Newborn babies breathe through their noses almost exclusively unless their nasal passage is obstructed in some way. In fact, young babies — until around age 3 to 4 months — haven't yet developed the reflex to breathe through their mouths. (That is, unless they're crying.)
What makes a baby sound congested even though they have no mucus? Healthy babies can often sound congested simply because they're tiny new people with baby-sized systems, including miniature nasal passages. Just like those itty-bitty fingers and toes, their nostrils and airways are extra small.
One of the safest and most effective ways to help clear a baby's congestion is with a saline (salt water) spray or nose drops. These products are available without a prescription. If you use drops, place two drops in each nostril to loosen the mucus inside.
Here are the best nasal aspirators on the market.
- Best Overall: Fridababy NoseFrida Nasal Aspirator.
- Best Budget: BabyBubz Baby Nasal Aspirator.
- Best Electric: Nosiboo Pro Nasal Aspirator.
- Best for Infants: Ravifun Baby Nasal Aspirator.
- Best Bulb: Boogiebulb Baby Nasal Aspirator.
With a bulb syringe, you squeeze out the air from the bulb to create a vacuum before placing the tip in your baby's nostril; the bulb is then released to suction out mucus and any secretions are expelled into a tissue.
The Best Sinus-Rinse Kits on Amazon, According to Hyperenthusiastic Reviewers
- SinuPulse Elite Advanced Nasal Sinus Irrigation System.
- NeilMed Nasa Mist Multi-Purpose Saline Spray All in One.
- Squip Nasaline Nasal Rinsing System.
- NeilMed SinuFlo Ready Rinse.
- Himalayan Chandra Porcelain Neti Pot.
