How to Clear Snot out of Baby's Nose
Many new parents are unsure of how to clear snot and mucus out a baby's nasal passages. A baby's nasal passages can become blocked for many reasons, including a virus or irritation from allergens in your household. Whichever way a baby's nasal passages get clogged, it is sometimes necessary to unclog them because it can interfere with their ability to feed and in some very young newborns interfere with their ability to breathe. Babies do not know how to blow their noses, so use a few painless techniques to clear out those nostrils.
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Instructions
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Drip a drop of saline solution into each nostril. Saline solution is simply salt water. Even if baby inhales and ingests the saline solution as you drip in his nostrils, it will not harm him. Have a wash cloth handy and be careful not to get any saline solution in the baby's eyes because it could cause a burning sensation.
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Use a nasal aspirator to try to suction out the snot. Place the baby under good lighting and actually look up his nostrils to try to spot the largest clumps of snot. Gently insert the nasal aspirator into the baby’s nostril with the air expelled from it and angle it toward the large clump of snot and suction. This may take a few tries to get out the mucous, just remain patient and be very gentle so as not to scrape or harm the membranes in baby's nostrils. Repeat this step with the other nostril, if necessary.
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Try using steam from a hot shower or a humidifier if the other steps don’t work. Simply take baby into a steamed bathroom and sit with baby for a few minutes or sit with baby near a humidifier. This will loosen the mucous in baby's nostrils so, hopefully, it will soon come out on its own.
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Tips & Warnings
Saline drops are available for purchase at nearly any grocery store in bottles that come with a dripper.
Always use saline drops before using the nasal aspirator because even if the saline solution does not solve the problem, the drops will greatly loosen up the mucous and make the use of the nasal aspirator a lot more effective.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Brand X Pictures/Getty Images
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Comments
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Bath time also helps. They splash and get water in their little nose. And they're less irritated when they do it themselves while playing:)
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What a great new skill you have acquired. The first of many to come, dad.
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Great help! Our baby had been fussy and breathing funny for the last few days and having problems eating...and doing a lot of heavy breathing...once I read this it all made sense. 5 minutes after applying the saline and getting the "snot" out - she was SO much better! We can sleep tonight!
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Awesome suggestions they really work.
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JennifEr ShErlock
Feb 27, 2011
Granny lost a stone getting snot out of Kira's nostril.It was so hearbreaking as she was not happy at all!!Jim comforted,Trees had the miners head light on,Chowsee the dog worried for all of us and it was such a huge relief when snot was retrieved.Granny's going to wash the aspirator in warm soapy water.Thank you saline.
