How to Suction A Baby's Nose Using a Bulb Syringe

Suctioning out a baby's nose makes it easier for the baby to breathe and drink a bottle. Here is the proper way to suction out a baby's nose.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Bulb syringe
• Tissue
• Water
• Soap

1. Squeeze out the air out of the bulb. Gently place the tip of the bulb syringe into the baby's nostril.

2. Gently release your grip on the bulb and let the air come back into the bulb. The suction will pull the mucus out of the nose and into the bulb.

3. Take the bulb syringe out of the baby's nose. Squeeze the mucus out of the bulb onto a tissue by squeezing the bulb several times.

4. Suction the other nostril on the baby the same way you did the first. Gently wipe off any mucus around the nose with a tissue to prevent skin irritations on the baby.

5. Wash the bulb syringe in cool, soapy water. Squeeze the bulb several times to clean out the mucus. Rinse with clean water, squeezing out until all the soapy water is gone.

Tips & Warnings

• If any time you notice that the baby has excess mucus that persists even after suctioning it, call your baby's doctor for further advise.
• Be sure to be gently when using the bulb syringe as you don't want to irritate the baby's nose inside.