Until your baby is old enough to "blow," you need an alternate way to clear excess mucus from his stuffy nose. Cold medicines and decongestants, even those designed for children, can have unwanted side effects that make using them an undesirable option. A nasal aspirator, also called a bulb syringe, is a common method parents use to relieve a stuffy nose to allow nursing or make it easier for a baby to take milk from a bottle.
Step 1
Sit down and place your baby so she is lying between your knees with her feet against your stomach. Open your knees so your baby's head falls back slightly.
Step 2
Place one or two drops of saline solution in each of your baby's nostrils, using the eyedropper, and then wait for approximately 10 seconds, trying to keep your baby's head as still as possible.
Step 3
Create a vacuum in the nasal aspirator by squeezing the bulb and while holding it squeezed, insert just the tip of it into your baby's nostril. Then slowly release your grip on the bulb, without letting go of the aspirator.
Step 4
Remove the aspirator from your baby's nostril, and squeeze it again to expel the mucus you withdrew.
Step 5
Repeat this process in the other nostril.
Step 6
Wait five to 10 minutes and if your baby is still congested, repeat this process.
Tips and Warnings
- An alternative to purchasing saline drops is to make your own saline solution. To make your own saline solution, dissolve ¼ tsp. of table salt in an 8 oz. glass of warm water. Although you can cover and store this solution, you need to make a new batch every day. In addition, BabyCenter.com recommends boiling well water to sterilize it before making a homemade saline solution. To prevent irritating the lining in your baby's nose, do not use an aspirator more than two to three times per day. FamilyEducation.com recommends using a nasal aspirator 20 to 30 minutes before your baby nurses or takes his bottle to clear his nose for ease of feeding.
Things You'll Need
- Saline solution
- Eyedropper
- Tissues
