There are many things that you may not think to look up when you have a baby because you are so used to doing them for yourself you never considered how you would go about executing those tasks for your baby. Cleaning a baby nose is certainly one of those things.
Ideally your baby will be able to sneeze, however sometimes if your little one is suffering from a cold, or is just having a stuffy nose kind of day, you may need to help them clean their nose to make them more comfortable. That’s why we’ve put together this guide to help make sure your bundle of joy is comfortably breathing.
Know What Not to Do
One of the first things when it to comes to learning how to clean newborn noses is what not to do. Many of the solutions that work on adults or even small children are bad ideas when it comes to babies.
The best example of this is medical decongestants. Do not use decongestants on your newborn unless you are explicitly told to do so by your doctor.
Babies are extremely sensitive and very small, and it is difficult to ensure you deliver the appropriate dose unless you are acting under a doctor’s advice.
Saline Nasal Spray
One of the most popular and safest methods of clearing a baby’s nose is to use a saline nasal spray. It is simple to use. Simply lay the baby’s head back and apply two or three drops of saline solution to each nostril.
This should clear your baby’s nose up for a bit so they can rest easy and breathe comfortably.
Be sure not too add too much saline solution or it can cause choking, and do not repeat too often in order to avoid irritation that can be associated with frequent use.
Nasal Aspirator
Another common tactic for those figuring out how to unblock a baby’s nose is to employ a nasal aspirator.
This device looks like a rubber bulb attached to a syringe or hose, and it is used to suction mucus out of the nose. This is a good strategy if your baby has a cold or saline drops are not providing enough relief. The aspirator can also be used to apply a saline or isotonic solution that can help unblock your baby’s nose so they can get the rest they need.
If you need even more powerful suction, there are aspirators that are designed with a mouth piece so that you can control the amount of force, ensuring that your baby’s nose is clean without damaging it.
As you can see, there are a number of different choices when it comes to cleaning your baby’s nose. The natural way is usually the best way, so give your baby a chance to sneeze and clear its own nasal passage before running to the rescue.
If that strategy isn’t working then you should look to saline drops, rubber bulbs, and nasal aspirators.
Cleaning a little nose can be hard to do, but hopefully with this guide you will be able to provide your child the relief they need.
