It can be heartbreaking to hear your child sniffle and struggle to breathe when they have a cold.
They don’t know how to blow their nose like we do, so it’s hard to help them.
One solution is to use a nasal aspirator; a device that basically sucks the mucus out of their nasal passage so they can breathe regularly again.
What’s a nasal aspirator? It’s basically a small device that sucks through either a tube or a bulb to remove mucus from the nose.
Sometimes you get them from the hospital, but they aren’t good quality, and they really aren’t meant to be used more than once, because they’re basically impossible to clean.
I’d recommend getting a good one from a store, because not only are they much better, but they’re very cheap.
Our Choice: NoseFrida The Snotsucker
Despite the rather gross name, NoseFrida: The Snotsucker (click here to check price on Amazon) is by far the best nasal aspirator you’ll find, and the most popular within online parenting communities.
This aspirator was developed by a doctor, and it’s also the most-recommended by doctors; it’s just that good!
Unlike a lot of nasal aspirators, NoseFrida doesn’t have to be placed inside the nostril; you just place it against it. Then you suck on it, and it quickly clears out your child’s nasal passage.
Before you gag, don’t worry, it only collects the snot in the cylinder, and there’s no risk of it actually getting inside your mouth. Yeah, I worried about that too. This method of use is a lot better than bulb-based aspirators in my experience. I was amazed at how much snot this thing gets out, it just works!
This can be used on newborns, and if you get an aspirator from the hospital, you’ll be amazed at how much better the Snotsucker works. This thing is amazing!
There are filters that go inside to trap the boogers and keep them from traveling up the tube. You only have to switch them if they actually come in contact with any mucus, and it comes with 20 extra ones which should last you a long time.
As far as cleaning it, you can do so in the dishwasher, or even just by hand if you want. It’s really easy, and there are no worries there.
What’s also better about this compared to a bulb aspirator is that since the tubing is clear, you can see exactly what’s going on. Once you see that the mucus is cleared up, you know when to stop. It’s so much better! Plus you can control the force of the suction, so you don’t have to worry about doing it too hard.
Now of course, your baby probably isn’t going to love it, but that’s not really the important part, is it? It’s not a horrible experience or anything, but it’s not overly pleasant.
Here’s a video of how to use the NoseFrida, in case you’re interested:
If you’re looking for a great nasal aspirator, look no further. This is the only one you need, and nothing else even compares! I bought mine on Amazon, it seemed to have the best price and it arrived pretty quickly. Click here if you want to see it!
Other Ways You Can Help
Running a cool-mist humidifier in your nursery is a very effective way to clear up and even prevent your child from getting sick in the first place.
The main reason this happens is due to the air being too dry (especially in the winter months) and a humidifier completely remedies this problem. If you don’t have one yet, be sure to read our guide on the top 5 nursery humidifiers.
Saline drops (saltwater) can also be used to relieve a stuffy nose. They can be bought at any drugstore, and they’re also useful for if your child has dried snot in their nose, which an aspirator isn’t going to help. You just put a few drops in their nose and it should make a big difference.
Also be sure to keep an eye on their temperature. All parents should have a good thermometer in their toolkit! Babies have underdeveloped immune systems, and if you detect them getting a fever at all, be sure to take them to the doctor immediately.