Babies often get stuffy, congested noses. This causes crusted mucus around their noses and mucus trapped inside their nostrils that you may need to remove. To clean your baby’s nose, use a damp cotton ball to remove mucus under it. If you need to clean inside the nose, use a bulb syringe or a human suction nasal aspirator. [1] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
Steps
Method 1
Method 1 of 3:
Cleaning Around the Nose
-
Use a damp cotton ball. If your baby has a runny nose or crust around their nose, you should gently remove the mucus and crust. Dampen a cotton ball with warm water. Carefully, wipe the debris away. If the mucus is crusted underneath, soften it with the moist cotton ball before removing. This helps reduce discomfort.
- Make sure to wipe away from the nose, not towards the nose.
-
Clean around the nose during the bath. If your baby has congestion and mucus around or under their nose, clean this area during a bath. Rub a small amount of bath water or gently apply a wet washcloth around the nose area. This helps clear out the nose and remove any mucus under the nose. [2] X Research sourceAdvertisement
-
Spread protectant under the nose. If your baby’s nose is irritated around the nose, you can soothe that with some kind of skin protectant. Make sure you use a skin protectant that is made for babies.
- You can use petroleum jelly, lip balm, or a product designed to help a baby's chapped skin.
-
Avoid sticking anything in your baby’s nose. You should never stick anything in your child’s nose to clean it. Never stick cotton swabs, tissues, or cotton balls into your baby’s nose. This can damage your baby’s nose. [3] X Research source
- When you use a syringe, you are not sticking the tip into your baby’s nostril. You are only resting it at the opening of the nostril.
Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 3:
Using a Bulb Syringe
-
Squirt nasal saline into the nose. To help the break up the mucus, use nasal saline. Place your baby on their back and their chin tilted. Use a dropper to drop one to two drops into their nostrils. If the saline comes in a bottle with a pump, use the squirt pump to place one to two squirts into the nostrils. Try to let the saline solution stay in the baby’s nose for 10 seconds. [4] X Research source
- You can buy unmedicated nasal saline at a pharmacy.
- You may also make your own saline solution. Dissolve ¼ teaspoon of salt into eight ounces of warm water. If you make your own, throw the solution out at the end of the day and make a new solution the next morning. Store it in a covered clean glass jar during the day.
- Don’t use saline drops on your baby for more than four days in a row. This can dry out their nasal passages.
-
Wait a few minutes. After you put the saline solution into your baby’s nose, wait for around two to three minutes. Hold your baby with their head lower than their feet. This helps the solution get down into the nostrils. The baby’s congestion may break up and the nostrils may clear. However, if after a few minutes your baby’s nose is not any better, then you need to clean it out. [5] X Research source
-
Place the end of the bulb against the baby’s nose. Take the rubber bulb syringe and squeeze the air out. This creates a vacuum to suck out the mucus. Carefully place the tip of the syringe against the nostril. It should fit snugly to create a seal. Gently let go of the bulb to pull the mucus into it.
- If your baby resists this process, stop and try again later.
- Make sure not to stick the tip too far into your baby’s nose. This can cause an injury.
-
Clean out the bulb between each nostril. Before you do the same thing to the other nostril, you must remove the mucus from the bulb. Remove the syringe from the baby’s nose. Squeeze the syringe to clean the mucus out of the bulb. You may have to use some force when you squeeze to get it out. Then clean out the second nostril. [6] X Research source
- Place a tissue around the tip to catch the mucus you expel from the tip.
-
Repeat if there is still congestion after a few minutes. Your baby should be breathing better after cleaning the mucus out of their nose. However, if their nose is still stopped up after five to ten minutes, repeat the entire process again, including the saline solution. [7] X Research source
- Make sure you only clean out your baby’s nose two to three times each day. More than that may irritate their nose. Your baby may get the most benefit before eating or going to sleep.
-
Wash the syringe. When you are finished, wash the syringe with soap and warm water. Place the tip of the syringe in the soapy water and squeeze the bulb to suck water into it. Shake the syringe to get soap all around the inside. Then squeeze it out. [8] X Research source
- Rinse the syringe by squeezing warm clean water into the syringe multiple times. Continue to rinse until the water you squeeze out is clear. Even with regular cleaning, some bulb syringes can be prone to mold growth. Look for one that twists apart for easier cleaning and drying.
- Let the syringe dry by placing it with the tip down in a glass.
Advertisement
Method 3
Method 3 of 3:
Using a Human Suction Nasal Aspirator
-
Position the tip in the child’s nose. Place the tapered end of the aspirator into your baby’s nose. The tapered end is connected to a long, cylindrical tube that will collect the mucus from your baby’s nose.
- Make sure not to stick the tube too far into your child's nose. Place it just inside the nostril.
-
Suck on the mouthpiece to clear the mucus. At the other end of the tube is a mouthpiece that you place into your mouth. With the piece securely between your lips, suck on it to pull mucus from your baby’s nose. The intensity with which you suck will control how much suction is in your baby’s nose. [9] X Research source
- The mucus will not be sucked into your mouth. The tube in your baby’s nose has a filter that will keep any mucus and germs from getting into your mouth.
-
Wash the unit when finished. Once you are finished cleaning your baby’s nose, you need to clean it. Take it apart and wash the main tube, the nose tip, and the mouth piece. Use hot soapy water to wash the parts. Rinse well to make sure you’ve removed all of the soap. [10] X Research source
- Don’t wash the long tube that connects the mouth piece with the main tube. If you need to wash it for some reason, or it get water in, make sure to let it dry completely.
Advertisement
Expert Q&A
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
Advertisement
References
- ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/how-to-help-your-baby-or-toddler-clear-a-stuffy-nose/
- ↑ http://www.whattoexpect.com/first-year/ask-heidi/relief-for-stuffy-nose.aspx
- ↑ http://raisingchildren.net.au/articles/cleaning_eyes,_nose_and_ears.html
- ↑ http://www.aboutkidshealth.ca/En/HealthAZ/ConditionsandDiseases/Symptoms/Pages/Nasal-Congestion-in-Babies.aspx
- ↑ https://www.babycenter.com/0_how-to-use-a-bulb-syringe-or-nasal-aspirator-to-clear-a-stuf_482.bc
- ↑ https://www.nationwidechildrens.org/family-resources-education/health-wellness-and-safety-resources/helping-hands/suctioning-the-nose-with-a-bulb-syringe
- ↑ https://www.babycenter.com/0_how-to-use-a-bulb-syringe-or-nasal-aspirator-to-clear-a-stuf_482.bc
- ↑ https://www.nationwidechildrens.org/family-resources-education/health-wellness-and-safety-resources/helping-hands/suctioning-the-nose-with-a-bulb-syringe
- ↑ https://myhealth.alberta.ca/health/Pages/clean-out-your-babys-nose.aspx?hwid=KIZQe4PLeQI
About this article
Article Summary
X
To clean your baby’s nose using a bulb syringe, start by squirting 1 to 2 drops of nasal saline into their nose to help break up the mucus. After a few minutes have passed, squeeze the air out of a bulb syringe to create a vacuum. Then, place the tip of the syringe against your child’s nostril and let go of the bulb to pull the mucus into it. After you’ve cleared one of your baby’s nostrils, remove the bulb and clear it out before moving onto their other nostril. Repeat the process until your baby can breathe properly through their nose. For more tips from our Medical co-author, including how to use a suction nasal aspirator, read on!
Did this summary help you?
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 41,836 times.
Advertisement
83%
of readers found this article helpful
.
Click a star to add your vote
% of people told us that this article helped them.
