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Baby Won’t Let Me Suction Nose: How To Make This EasierBabies are pure joy. From the moment they’re born to that first smile through all the years that follow, their adorable facial expressions give parents unalloyed delight. Whether you have one baby or five, nothing matches the happiness you experience caring for them every waking moment.So when something makes the baby uncomfortable or distressed, every parent tries desperately to solve the problem quickly so the baby starts gurgling happily once again.One uncomfortable issue that occurs while caring for an infant is a clogged, stuffy nose. Unlike adults, babies can’t deal with the problem by simply blowing their noses themselves. It’s a parent’s job to get that nose functioning easily again. But most babies get cranky when parents try to intervene and help with a runny, stuffed or congested nose.How can you make this better? How can you help make your baby more comfortable during those few minutes you’re unclogging their nose? Why do so many babies resist getting their noses suctioned?We decided to research how the experts advise parents to handle this tricky (and kind of yucky!) task. If your baby won’t let you suction their nose, continue reading for tips on accomplishing this necessary procedure.Ridding your baby’s nose of mucus and boogers isn’t one of your more pleasant responsibilities, but nonetheless, it’s a job you’ve got to tackle. Babies become irritable when they can’t breathe easily, so the sooner you get rid of that stuffy nose and congestion, the better!Here are some of the most common causes of a baby’s stuffy nose and effective ways of dealing with it so your baby breathes easily as fast as possible.
What Causes Stuffy Noses?
Viruses and colds
Dry air, particularly in winter when the furnace is on
Poor air circulation and quality
Tiny nasal passages
That last one is key. Please think of how simple it is to clean your nose. Then imagine what a little bit of mucus can do to a nasal pass one-tenth the size of yours!It doesn’t take much to stuff up your baby’s nose, so cleaning it regularly is important – before it gets too clogged.
Tools For Easing Your Baby’s Stuffed Nose:
There are a number of ways you can clean and suction your baby’s nasal passages:
- Use a Bulb Syringe
This device has been around for ages and is still a popular choice for many parents. It is an easy-to-use, inexpensive option, too. Once the tip is gently inserted into your baby’s nose, you squeeze the air out of the bulb. Be sure the tip isn’t in too far or pressing too much against your baby’s nostril.Keep the bulb steady while the air is released into the nostril. This is an effective way to get mucus out and get your baby breathing easily once again. Bulb syringes come in a variety of sizes, so be sure to check to see that you’ve chosen the right size for your baby’s physiology.
- Consider a Nasal Aspirator
This unit puts you in the driver’s seat, as your mouth is the mucus-sucking machine rather than a bulb syringe. Some parents find this method easier to use because of that and say that it works more efficiently.The respirator comes with tubing and a mouthpiece. The tube is slim, with an opening at one end. These units often come with filters you toss away after each use. A filter prevents you from sucking so hard you get a mouthful of mucus – something no parent wants, right? You don’t want your adorable baby’s snot ending up in your mouth, that’s for sure.That’s why some new parents are reluctant to try this method, but after a few tries, most relax and become sucking pros! You can use this device with or without nasal spray.
- Nasal Spray
You should use the spray if your baby’s mucus from a cold or respiratory infection is thick or if the boogers are hard and crusty. However, never choose a nasal spray with medication in it – those are for older children and adults and must not be used on babies.You can make your own drops, if you prefer, by simply combining salt and warm water. (There are numerous recipes online for this DIY solution.)Lay your baby on their back, and put three or four drops into each nostril. Wait a few minutes before suctioning, and don’t let the baby sit upright – the drops need to stay in their nose to work most efficiently. Then use a bulb syringe or a nasal aspirator to suction out mucus and boogers.
- Other Methods For Treating Stuffy Noses
You can’t avoid cleaning your baby’s nose, but you can make the whole process easier on them (and you!) by trying these methods:
Give Them a Warm Bath So The Steam Loosens The Stuff In Their Nose
There is nothing like warm steam to ease a baby’s breathing by lessening congestion.
Check Your Home’s Air Quality
Consider purchasing a humidifier so the air doesn’t contribute to your baby’s congestion, particularly in winter.
Plug In a Steamer In The Nursery
Or you can plug a portable steamer into the baby’s room. The moist air will go a long way toward easing dry nasal passages and help prevent mucus buildup and dry, crusty boogers.
Keep Your Baby Upright As Much As You Can
Of course, at bedtime and nap time, your baby lays down. However, it would help if you tried to keep their head elevated at least a little during other times of the day. This helps mucus drain, preventing it from building up in the baby’s nasal passages. And keeping the baby well-hydrated helps with this, too.
When Should You Clean The Baby’s Nose?
Choosing the right time to use a nasal syringe (or other technique) to clean the baby’s nose makes all the difference to the outcome. This is not the most comfortable procedure for them, so doing it when they’re well-rested and happy is your best bet. If your baby is overtired already or hungry and cranky, trying to clean their nose won’t work. They’ll make an even bigger fuss about it!And remember, your baby picks up on your subtle, nonverbal cues. If you’re anxious about doing this, you can bet your baby will sense it. Try to relax, and don’t act like this is an ordeal that you’re dreading. If you treat cleaning their nose like it’s simply part of the daily routine, they will calm down and get used to it. If you have to do it several times a day because your baby has a cold, resign yourself and get it done as efficiently as possible. Smile! Act like it’s a bit of play.Be easygoing. And remember: practice makes perfect. Once you become a pro at cleaning your baby’s nose, they’ll adjust and stay relatively calm during the procedure.
In Summary
Being a parent is incredibly rewarding, but it isn’t always fun, easy or pleasant. There are tasks you must cope with for the sake of the baby’s health and well-being, like getting up in the middle of the night for feedings for the first year or two.Cleaning out their nose, ridding it of mucus and crusty, hard boogers, is one of the less pleasant duties you have to get used to. The sooner you become adept at this, with whatever implement you decide is best suited to your baby’s nose, the sooner both of you will relax, so you can get on with it and get the job done.Keep in mind that you are cleaning the baby’s nose because they need to breathe easily. Holding on to that positive outcome – that your baby will be happier and healthier once their nose is clean and their respiratory passages are clear – is an excellent way to get through the process. And once you become an expert nose cleaner, the two of you will sail through this, and you will start to realize it’s not such a big deal.It’s simply a necessary part of good parenting, and we know that you, as someone with a tiny baby, are dedicated to accomplishing everything that contributes to that. Good luck!
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