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A nasal aspirator is one of the most invaluable tools a parent can have on hand. A nasal aspirator is the only means your baby has of blowing her nose for years. Without clearing her sinuses, she is at a greater risk for a whole host of health problems including ear infections. Using a nasal aspirator is a relatively simple process; so, the first thing to keep in mind is to relax. The bulb syringe type of aspirator is the most common variety, and there are many styles with safety features to keep you from accidentally hurting your child by inserting the aspirator too deeply.
Begin by swaddling your baby. This will keep her arms and legs from knocking the nasal aspirator out of your hand. Hold her in the football hold with her head in your hand and her body and legs tucked under the same arm.
Holding the nasal aspirator away from her, squeeze the bulb to expel the air. Bring the tip of the aspirator to baby’s nose and gently insert the tip into one nostril, slightly toward the outer wall. Don’t insert it too far; approximately 1/8 of an inch is adequate.
Next, with the tip still inserted, quickly release your grip on the bulb, allowing it to expand to its original shape. This will draw nasal secretions into the bulb. Gently remove the tip from her nose. Then, holding the aspirator over a tissue or bowl, squeeze the bulb to force out the mucous into the tissue or bowl. (Think turkey baster.)
Depending on how congested our child is, you may want to repeat the process several times with the same nostril, until the passageway is clear and/or there is little fluid being withdrawn. Then repeat the process with the other nostril; again, several times if needed.
When the mucous is too thick or to far up the cavity, try administering saline nose drops first. The easiest way to do this is to hold baby as described above and turn saline spray bottle upside down just above one nostril without squeezing it. This should allow one drop to drip into the nostril. Gently squeeze baby’s nose to work saline into the cavity. Repeat in other nostril. You may need to repeat the process one or two times.
A calming baby bath can be very helpful, too. Lavender vapors, steam and moisture will relax your baby and help open up nasal passages, allowing mucous to drain better. Some parents find it helpful to use the aspirator on older babies and toddlers while they are in the bath.
As long as you’re careful, this won’t cause any physical pain to the baby, and in fact will bring a great measure of relief to you both.
Other types of nasal aspirators, such as those with hoses, filters, and even battery-powered units, are available on the market. They each differ in how the suction is generated, but the principle of clearing baby’s nose is the same. If you happen to have one of those units, refer to the specific instructions for that particular aspirator.
