Different Ways To Clean Your Baby Nose

Babies have narrow nasal passages, which may often cause difficulty in breathing. If you are looking for ways to clean your baby’s nose, reading this post might help. Initially, newborns follow obligate nasal breathing, so it would be uneasy when they have a stuffy nose. Hence, it is important to ensure you clean their nasal cavity to help them breathe properly and receive sufficient nourishment without any hassles while feeding. Moreover, frequent clearance of nasal cavities could treat infections, if any and enhance nasal hygiene.

Although it is not an easy task to clean a baby’s nose, you may read this post to find effective ways to make it easier.

Different Ways To Clean Your Baby Nose

A natural way of cleaning the baby’s nasal cavity is by making him sneeze. This expels the blockage and removes the excess mucus build-ups in the nose. If the infant is still uncomfortable by this natural process, a nasal wash is better.

Note that the use of medications like decongestants is a big ‘no’ for babies as these dry up mucus and even plug the drainage system, besides causing sleeplessness. If antihistamines are used as medication, they may cause sedation and thicken the snot discharge. So you can try the below steps to clean your baby’s nose.

Rather try the below steps to clean your baby’s nose:

1. Saline Nasal Spray

Image: IStock

Using a saline nasal spray is the safest option for infants, babies, and toddlers. The usage is simple. Just lay the baby down, tilt the head back carefully, and squeeze two or three drops of saline nasal spray into each nostril. It would relieve the nasal congestion and clear the nose (1).

2. Baby Nasal Cleaners

Products like rubber bulb syringe or nasal aspirator can efficiently remove mucus from the baby’s nose. A baby nasal cleaner can offer relief to babies, but using the right solution is the key. For babies less than three to six months, use an isotonic (milder) solution. In older babies, using a slightly hypertonic (stronger) solution is good. You can buy the nasal saline solution at medical stores or prepare one at home.

How To Make Nasal Saline For Babies?

Mucus can be thick as snot. It can be thinned with the saltwater solution to make it easier to remove. Suctioning, however, should not be done more than four times a day (2). Method of preparation:

1. Mix one-fourth teaspoon table salt in a cup of boiled water.
   

   Image: IStock

2. Let it cool to room temperature. Store it in a clean and covered bottle.
3. Label the bottle with the date of preparation and discard after three days.

Did you know?

Nasal saline rinse helps cilia clear up the sinuses. Cilia are tiny hair-like structures that line the nose and sinuses (5).

How To Clean Baby Nose Using Saline Drops?

1. Lay your baby down on a soft towel with their head slightly tilted upward.
2. Put two to three drops of saline water into the baby’s nose with a dropper. Wait for 30 to 60 seconds.
3. Turn around the baby onto his stomach to let the nose drain. Collect mucus on a tissue.
4. Gently wipe around the nostrils without putting the tissue deep into the baby’s nose. Clean the dropper after every use.

How To Clean Baby Nose Using A Rubber Bulb Syringe?

1. Put the baby in the sitting position. Squeeze air out of the rubber bulb and hold the bulb pinched.
2. Place the syringe tip just inside the nostril without going deep. Release the bulb pressure to let mucus the suction out.
3. Bring out the syringe from the baby’s nostril and remove mucus on a tissue.
4. Rinse the bulb with clean water before using it again.

Quick tip

After suctioning, squeeze soapy water into the bulb and squeeze it out to clean out the mucus. Follow it by squeezing clean water in and out of the rubber bulb syringe. Repeat these steps after each use (6).

How To Clean Baby Nose Using A Nasal Aspirator?

Image: Shutterstock

Nasal aspirator comprises a nozzle, a lengthy piece of soft tubing, and a mouthpiece. These three are connected with the tube in the middle. The process of usage is similar to that of the bulb syringe, except that the mouthpiece is used for suction. Some parents find nasal aspirator less invasive, more efficient, and easier to use compared to the bulb syringe.

Follow these steps to clean baby nose using a nasal aspirator:

1. Add saline drops into the baby’s nose and see if it clears the congestion.
2. If you still find a stuffy nose, place the nozzle tip into the baby’s nostril and the mouthpiece into your mouth.
3. By applying gentle suction with your mouthpiece, suck out mucus from the baby’s nose into the nozzle.
4. A filter present in the tube ensures that you do not inhale germs.

12 Precautions And Tips To Use A Rubber Bulb Syringe Or Nasal Aspirator

• The process should be gentle. Aggressive suctioning may inflame or cause bleeding in the nasal tissues, which can make the nasal congestion worse.
• Suctioning the baby nose more than twice or thrice each day means damaging the lining. So avoid it.

• Wash your hands thoroughly before you begin the process. If you cannot wash, at least use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Do not squeeze more than two or three drops of solution into the baby nose.
• Do not worry if the baby sneezes out some solution. It will still make way into the nostril.
• Do not use saline drops for more than four continuous days to avoid drying out the nose and make it worse.
• In case the baby resists vigorously, try after some time.
• While buying a nasal aspirator ensure to buy ones that are specially designed for baby’s tiny nostrils.
• These products have complete ‘how to use directions’. Follow them. Get familiar with the product before using. Test the suction by placing the aspirator against your fingertip.
• After aspirating, remove the nozzle in the downward direction and not the upward direction, i.e., towards the eyes.
• After usage, clean all the parts of the devices and syringe well with warm soapy water. Squeeze the tip of the bulb to shake away the soap water.
• Rinse well in warm water and dry by suspending the syringe in a glass with the tip side down.

3. Nasopharyngeal (NP) Suctioning

Image: Shutterstock

Nasopharyngeal (NP) Suctioning is done by a nurse, doctor, or respiratory therapist in few cases:

• If the mucus cannot be removed with a bulb syringe or aspirator.
• If your baby has abnormal breathing sounds.
• If the baby needs more oxygen.
• If the baby finds difficulty in eating and breathing simultaneously.

Like other suctioning procedures, salt-water solution is used to loosen the mucus, making it moist. A small suction tube, connected to a suction device is gently placed in the baby’s nose until it touches the back of the throat. This will make the baby cough, which brings up the mucus to the back of the throat. The suction is applied to get rid of the mucus, and then the tube is gently pulled out of the nose. The procedure is repeated many times a day until the baby’s nose is clear.

Note: Frequent NP suctioning may lead to swelling inside the baby’s nose or mild nosebleed. If this happens, smaller suction tube or neosucker can be used. If the procedure is followed within 30 minutes of eating, it may lead to vomiting. The procedure may cause discomfort to your baby while it is being done.

4. Steam Clean

Run a hot shower in the bathroom for a few minutes and allow the bathroom to become steamy. Sit there for a while with the baby. It may loosen up the congestion. To help the baby breath quickly, give extra fluids during the day and run a vaporizer. This way the secretions become thinner and it becomes easy for the baby to cough or sneeze.

5. Elevate The Head Of The Mattress Or Run Cool Air Humidifier

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Breathing can be easy through a stuffy nose when we sleep with the head slightly raised. Place a towel below the baby’s head in the crib to raise it slightly. This would offer some relief to the baby during the bed or nap-time. Extremely dry air can dry up the sensitive lining of the nose. While the baby sleeps, run a cold air humidifier in her room to offer relief and prevent stuffiness.

6. Massage on acupressure points on the face

You may help your baby breathe better by giving a gentle face and neck massage under medical guidance. Start by massaging the forehead, moving from the nose to the hairline and from the middle to the ears. It helps with sinuses. Massage the cheekbones from under the eyes toward the ears to improve drainage. Press gently between the eyebrows, where the eyebrows begin, beside the eye, and the nose above the nostrils. These points help clear congestion. Also, press beside each nostril and massage the neck muscles from under the ear down to the collarbone. Be very gentle, as your baby’s face is delicate, and these acupressure points can be quite tender when your baby is congested. So, pay attention to your baby’s cues and stop the massage if you notice signs of discomfort or distress (3).

Infographic: Different Ways To Clean Your Baby’s Nose

Remember to be gentle when cleaning your baby’s nose and follow the instructions with any products you use. The following infographic provides a list of ways to clean your baby’s nose. Be sure to read it carefully and follow accordingly. If you have any concerns about your baby’s congestion or are unsure how to clean their nose correctly, it is best to consult a healthcare provider.

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Image: Dall·E/MomJunction Design Team

Learn about effective methods to alleviate your infant’s cold symptoms by employing nasal saline and gentle suction. Acquire valuable advice to ensure your baby’s enhanced well-being.

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Reviewer Expert Author Editor Fact Checker

Dr. Elna GibsonMBChB, MMed, Paeds

Dr. Elna Gibson is a general pediatrician. She did her MBChB and specialization as a pediatrician in South Africa at the University of Pretoria. She obtained MMed Pediatrics (masters) with distinction in 1993.As a young specialist, Dr.

Read full bio of Dr. Elna Gibson

• 
  Dr. Steven GoudyMD, MBA Dr. Steven Goudy is a pediatric ENT, the director of pediatric otolaryngology, vice-chairman of research at Emory and Children’s Hospital of Atlanta. An alumni of University of Louisville School of Medicine, Dr. Goudy holds around 18 years of experience in pediatric otolaryngology. He is the founder of Dr. Noze Best, a battery-powered nasal suction device for infants.
  
  Dr. Steven Goudy is a pediatric ENT, the director of pediatric otolaryngology, vice-chairman of research at Emory and Children’s Hospital of Atlanta. An alumni of University of Louisville School of Medicine, Dr. Goudy holds around 18 years of experience in pediatric otolaryngology. He is the founder of Dr. Noze Best, a battery-powered nasal suction device for infants.

Dr. Ritika ShahBDS, CLC

Dr. Ritika Shah is a certified lactation counsellor (CLC) from iNational Health Care Academy, Singapore and a dental surgeon with more than seven years of clinical experience across various cities in India. She did her graduation in Dentistry from KM Shah Dental College.

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Rohit GarooBSc, MBA

Rohit Garoo is a writer-turned-editor with over 9 years of experience in content writing, editing, and content marketing. He did his bachelors in Science at St. Xavier's College, Hyderabad, and masters in Business Administration at Osmania University.

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Vidya TadapatriMSc (Biotechnology)

Vidya did her post-graduation in Biotechnology from Osmania University, Hyderabad. Her interest in scientific research and writing made her pursue a career in writing, in which she now has over five years of experience. She has done certified biotechnology-related training programs under renowned organizations such as Centre For Cellular & Molecular Biology and Department of Biotechnology.

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