How to clear snot from a baby's nose and what items to use

Nasal congestion in infants becomes a serious problem for their mothers. In addition to breathing problems, babies become irritable, capricious, refuse to eat, and sleep poorly.

The causes of rhinitis in infants can be very diverse. Thus, there is a physiological runny nose, which is explained by the incompletely “debugged” functioning of the nasal mucosa and, as a consequence, the release of excess secretion. There are also pathological factors that cause rhinitis in infants - ARVI, adenoviruses, allergies, influenza, etc.

Regardless of the reason for which a runny nose develops, young parents should know how to clear snot from their infant’s nose. This measure is necessary to facilitate breathing, eliminate congestion, and improve the overall well-being of the baby. It is also necessary to clean a baby’s nose when they have a runny nose to ensure that local medications reach the mucous membrane.

Cleansing the nasal passages with cotton swabs

It should be noted right away that you cannot clean a baby’s nose with cotton swabs. If you take a cotton swab with a limiter, you will not be able to insert it deeply into the nasal passage. When the cotton swab is without a limiter, there is a high probability of injuring the mucous membrane.

Flagella can be made either from cotton wool or from cosmetic discs. To do this, the disk must be divided into two halves, one left for next time, and the other cut into four parts and twisted into a turundula. Before inserting the flagellum into the baby's nasal passage, it must be moistened with boiled water at room temperature or breast milk. After this, the turundula is inserted into the spout and they begin to twist it so that all the contents are wound around it.

How to get rid of a runny nose at home?

First, a few words about what a runny nose is and why it occurs.

I will try to tell everything in simple and accessible language so that everything becomes clear to everyone.

This is the first sign that some kind of infection has settled in our body and the body has begun to actively fight it (with the exception of allergic rhinitis).

Conventionally, the process of developing a runny nose can be divided into three stages.

Stage one

Stage two

It begins if the virus has managed to penetrate the cells of the nose and caused an abundant release of water, this will invariably lead to the nasal mucosa swelling and causing severe swelling, which closes the nasal passages and prevents the passage of air into them.

Therefore, it is a big misconception to think that nasal congestion is the accumulation of a large amount of mucus in it. This is swelling of the nasal mucosa!

Stage three

The third stage may include thicker nasal discharge (due to a large number of leukocytes - cells that fight infection). Usually in the third phase the virus dies and the runny nose goes away.

Therefore, before using home remedies to treat a runny nose, you need to clearly understand which ones will be most effective for you.

Cleaning a baby's nose with a pear

The syringe should be purchased in a small size and with a soft tip. Before use, you need to rinse it thoroughly. During the procedure, the child must be in an upright position. You need to pinch one of the baby’s nostrils with your finger, press it to remove all the air from the bulb, insert its tip into the open nostril and slowly release your palm from the squeezing syringe. The contents of the nasal passages will be drawn into the syringe along with the air. Wash the pear thoroughly after use.

You cannot clean a baby’s nose of snot while dry; before the procedure, you need to drip human milk, 0.9% sodium chloride solution or drops based on sea water (Aquamaris, Aqualor baby, Otrivin baby). This will soften the crusts, and cleaning the nose will not be painful.

If the sniffles bother your baby too often, then just cleaning the nose will not help - you need to fight the infection (cold). We wrote about how to treat snot in children under 1 year of age in the article [treatment of snot in infants].

Folk remedies for colds and runny nose

And I also want to share with you effective folk remedies that will help fight not only the runny nose, but also colds.

To do this, you need to prepare propolis ointment or oil, apply it to cotton wool and insert it into each nostril. And also lubricate the wings of the nose at night.

Surely everyone's mother painted their nose in war paint as a child, like an Indian? We simply draw a grid with iodine using a match on the nose overnight.

Don’t worry, usually by morning you can’t see anything.

One of the good ways to combat colds is to put mustard plasters or, better yet, pepper plaster on the heels and calves.

This method is good because it can be used even while at work, that is, outside the home.

An interesting option for getting rid of symptoms such as a runny nose and colds in general is a foot massage.

In Eastern practices, great importance is given to the feet, since they represent the projection of organs, influencing certain points of which they achieve a significant improvement in health.

Then we put on woolen socks under the blanket. You can also drink hot tea with honey and work up a sweat.

This method of treatment has been known to many since childhood; you will need mustard powder for it.

Pour mustard powder into each sock, a couple of tablespoons each, and quickly into bed. This method can be used many times, but in the absence of fever.

These baths are used in the first few days, when you first get sick, in this case the effect of them is higher.

Pour hot water into a suitable container for our hands, adding 1 teaspoon of soda to it. (more about soda here)
Dip your hands into the container, preferably so that they are completely hidden by water. Perform the procedure up to 3 times a day for 15 minutes.

So, we will need:

honey – 1 tablespoon
dry mustard powder – 1 tablespoon
flour
sunflower oil – 1 tablespoon

Preparation:

To prepare the flatbreads, mix flour, mustard and honey, add sunflower oil.
Flour in this case serves as a binding element, so its quantity is regulated depending on the formation of the shape of the cake.
Place the prepared mixture in two pieces of gauze and place on the sinuses. Keep for 10-15 minutes.

There is also a method that was used to treat a runny nose in childhood, these are chicken eggs.

Boil 2 eggs hard, then place them in a cloth (thin towel) so as not to get burned and keep them on the sinuses until they cool down.

A method as old as this world, boil the potatoes in their skins, leaving them in the pan, climb under the blanket and breathe until the potatoes cool down. Use only if there is no fever.

An interesting and simple way to eat it is also using garlic.

To do this, you need to cut a medium-sized clove of garlic into the palms and insert them into the nostrils, not too deep so that you can easily pull them out.

Of course, these are not all the folk methods that can be used to treat a runny nose at home.

The main thing to remember is that if your runny nose does not go away within a month, there may be a risk of developing sinusitis - inflammation of the paranasal sinuses, sinusitis and otitis media. Therefore, to avoid all these problems, do not engage in long-term self-medication and be sure to see a specialist.

Cleaning your nose with special preparations

The pharmaceutical industry today produces a number of drugs from sea water designed to cleanse the nose, for example, Aqualor Baby, Aquamaris, Otrivin Baby and many others. With their help, you can soften the crusts and clean the child’s nose.

They are available in two dosage forms: spray and drops. For babies under one year of age, it is better to instill drops, since their airways are still too small and the use of a spray can lead to it getting into the ear canal and the development of otitis media.

These drugs are instilled according to the instructions for them. The droplets contain microelements necessary to maintain the normal state of the mucous membrane. After instillation, it is not necessary to use flagella to cleanse the nose: after a while, all the contents of the nose along with the medicine will pour out and it will be enough to simply remove them with a handkerchief.

To reduce the formation of dried crusts on the baby’s nose in the room where the child is, it is necessary to regularly carry out wet cleaning and not overuse heaters. House dust has a negative effect on the baby's mucous membranes, and many heaters can dry out the air in the room too much and dry out the airways along with it.

Three ways to clear snot from a baby's nose

Ways to clean the nose in babies with a runny nose at home: how to suck out mucus from the nasopharynx

Newborns are often bothered by a runny nose. Sometimes it is physiological in nature and does not require treatment. In some cases, medical supervision is required. To alleviate the baby’s condition and restore his breathing, you need to know how to remove snot from a baby. Following the recommendations will help your baby get rid of congestion quickly and painlessly.

Newborn

Causes of a runny nose in a newborn

A runny nose in a newborn is a common occurrence. There are several reasons for the appearance of mucous discharge:

Adaptation of the baby to the environment. The mucous membrane gets used to the new environment, reacting with the appearance of snot. They are liquid and transparent, the baby’s well-being does not deteriorate, and the body temperature remains normal. This condition is called physiological runny nose. It does not require treatment and goes away on its own. Usually appears in the first months of a baby’s life and lasts on average from a week to three months;
The air in the room is too dry and too polluted. Mucus can also appear when there is a lot of dust in the room, or there is tobacco smoke. Children, like adults, react to smells, perfumes or flowers;
Viral infection. Snot performs protective functions. They fight the harmful effects of viruses, protecting the body from their spread. There is no need to treat them, just maintain their condition so that they remain transparent and liquid. When they thicken, they lose their beneficial properties. If they turn yellow or greenish, it means there is a bacterial infection. With this development of events, treatment must be started to prevent complications.

Note! Mucous discharge is not always dangerous and requires medical treatment. Sometimes it is enough to maintain the necessary conditions in the room and give the baby more to drink so that the condition improves.

If the baby’s health worsens, he becomes capricious, systematically refuses to eat, his temperature rises, or other symptoms appear, you need to call a doctor.

Medical examination

A runny nose can lead to the development of:

otitis;
tracheitis;
bronchitis;
pneumonia.

In young children, the infection quickly develops and spreads into the respiratory tract, especially if the child constantly sniffles and the discharge goes down into the throat.

Note! Snot in the nasopharynx in infants irritates the mucous membrane and causes coughing, sometimes leading to vomiting. Self-medication if the child does not get better is not worth it.

Consulting a doctor will never be superfluous. He will tell you what to do if your baby has snot in the nasopharynx. He will advise you to continue the treatment you have started or prescribe a new one.

Should I clean my newborn's nose?

How to clean a newborn's nose

A newborn is just getting used to a new life and learning new things. Congestion makes breathing much more difficult. It is not always possible for a baby to reflexively begin to breathe through the mouth if it is not possible through the nose. Therefore, with a severe runny nose, a child may begin to choke.

With a stuffy nose, the baby cannot eat or drink normally. He becomes moody and restless. Lack of hygiene in the nasal cavity leads to the formation of crusts, which are more difficult to get rid of. Therefore, it is imperative to clean a newborn’s nose. The main thing is to remove snot, following the recommendations, so as not to harm the little person.

How often to clean your baby's nose

How to develop a 1 month old baby at home

The baby's nose needs to be cleared when breathing is extremely difficult. If the procedure is carried out correctly, the child will experience relief and his condition will improve. It is enough to do this three times a day, if necessary, increase to five, but no more.

Nasal hygiene includes:

Softening crusts and secretions using saline solutions;
Suctioning snot. There are several ways, everyone can choose the most suitable one for themselves.

Snot Suction

How to rinse and clean your nose

Before clearing your newborn's nose, you need to drip a saline solution into each nostril. The main thing is not to use sprays. During their action, the product is sprayed with high pressure.

As a result, fluid can enter the inner ear, which can lead to the development of otitis media. There are sprays called "soft showers". They do not irrigate the nasal cavity with a stream, but rather spray liquid.

They can be used with caution on children older than three months.

How to sterilize baby bottles at home

You can prepare the rinsing solution yourself by mixing water with table salt. It is better not to experiment on newborns, as it will not be possible to create a sterile product. The cost of saline solution is low, after opening it can be stored until the expiration date, observing the prescribed conditions.

Note! Salt can remove excess fluid and relieve swelling. Products based on it are not addictive and are considered safe.

How to suck out snot with an aspirator

An aspirator is a useful invention that helps quickly get rid of mucous discharge from the nose. The mechanism of different types of devices is slightly different, which affects the efficiency of operation:

A mechanical aspirator is the most gentle. The traction force is regulated by the baby's parents. The tip is inserted into the baby's nostril. It is connected by a tube to a mouthpiece, which the baby’s mother or father takes into the mouth and sucks in the contents of the nose. Using such an aspirator is not very hygienic. Parents can become infected from the baby, because they are in direct contact with him, drawing in snot, even though the device has a separator;
The electronic aspirator runs on batteries. You just need to place the nozzle in the nostril of the sick child and turn on the device. Its action is enough to relieve the baby of secretions that are nearby. He will not be able to pull out thick snot from distant sections;
A vacuum aspirator is an attachment to a vacuum cleaner. With its help, you can get out thick mucus, completely clearing the nasal passages. Removal of secretions occurs almost instantly; the snot ends up in a special reservoir, making it easier for the baby to breathe.

Cotton flagella

Cotton swabs will help soften crusts that will accumulate in dry indoor air and remove surface mucus.

How to clean a baby’s nose from snot with cotton pads:

You will need a regular cotton pad, which needs to be divided into 8 parts and twisted into a rope;
Soak one end in saline solution;
Gently place into baby's nostril. A few millimeters is enough for the mucous membrane to be moistened and the crusts to soften;
Slowly, with a rotating motion, remove the flagellum, which will collect the baby's snot and boogers.

Nasal moisturizers

Saline solutions used for instillation into the nose not only moisturize the mucous membrane, but also cleanse it of bacteria and dust. Therefore, nasal hygiene is an excellent way to prevent a runny nose.

Nasal hygiene

A humidifier will improve the baby's condition. If there is no special device, then you can hang wet diapers or place containers with water. Daily wet cleaning helps, as does getting rid of carpets and soft toys that collect dust.

After consultation with your doctor, you can perform inhalations with saline solution. Different nozzles of the device help to spray the liquid also onto the throat, softening the mucus in the nasopharynx of the baby.

Note! Sometimes pediatricians recommend using vasoconstrictor drops. They must be used with caution, they are addictive. Therefore, you can contact them after carefully reading the instructions and studying the contraindications.

How to clean your nose with a pear

There are special bulbs, reminiscent of syringes, designed to clean the nose. They are easy to use, but they will only remove superficial discharge.

How to clear snot from a newborn’s nose at home using a blower:

You need to squeeze it in your hand, releasing the air;
Insert the baby into one nostril, holding the other, and remove your hand;
Air will begin to be sucked into the pear along with the secretions.

The disadvantage of using it is that it is impossible to immediately monitor the result of the procedure. After all, the snot ends up in a syringe made of opaque material. Usually you have to repeat the steps several times to clear your nose.

Traditional methods of getting rid of mucus

To get rid of a runny nose, it is recommended to use aloe juice.

Aloe

How to clean a newborn’s nose from snot using the folk method:

All you have to do is take a leaf of the plant and make a cut along it. It will immediately give juice;
It cannot be used in its pure form; it must be diluted. For one drop of flower juice, add ten drops of water. It has an aggressive effect on delicate mucous membranes and can cause burns;
Pour 2-3 drops into each nostril. Be sure to turn the baby's head to prevent fluid from flowing into the ears. This should be the nostril into which you plan to drip the diluted juice.

It happens that babies begin to sneeze from aloe, then the superficial snot easily comes out on its own. You can place the baby on his stomach after instilling the saline solution. If the nozzles are liquid, they will begin to flow out on their own. The only thing is that after constantly wiping them, irritation will appear on the skin. To make it go away, you need to use a children's healing cream.

Cleansing with Mom's Mouth

Young mothers often receive advice to suck out snot on their own. To do this, you need to use your mouth to draw out the mucus from the baby’s nose. It is better to refuse this method.

First of all, a child needs a healthy mother; this method is a direct way of transmitting bacteria to her from a sick baby.

Even a mechanical aspirator is equipped with a special filter that protects parents from getting the child’s mucous secretions into their mouths.

What not to do when cleaning your nose

When cleaning your nose, do not use cotton swabs. Any careless movement can lead to injury. You should always check whether the aspirator nozzles that are inserted into the baby’s nostrils are safe and do not have sharp or hard elements.

It is important that the child is not afraid of the procedure, so it is better to choose a time when the child is in a good mood. If he is upset or depressed, it is better to clean his nose later.

Baby is not in the mood

Important! Breast milk should not be dripped into children's noses. Of course, its benefits cannot be overestimated, but not in this case. Milk is a breeding ground for bacteria. Therefore, instilling it in case of a runny nose will only worsen the baby’s well-being.

If a child’s temperature rises, the nature of the discharge changes, it becomes thick, a green tint appears, you need to seek help from a pediatrician. Only a doctor, based on an examination of the patient and the mother’s observations, will be able to make the correct diagnosis and prescribe treatment.

Causes

To decide how to quickly get rid of snot, it is important to correctly determine the cause of this problem. Of course, only the attending doctor can make an accurate diagnosis, but often you can independently determine the provoking factor. The most common reasons are:

hypothermia of the body;
bacterial infection;
cold;
allergy.

A runny nose can appear after prolonged exposure to the cold. It is accompanied by copious discharge of light-colored snot. They need to be dealt with immediately to prevent the addition of a viral infection.

At the very beginning of the development of colds, an inflammatory process occurs in the nasopharynx, which provokes a significant deterioration in well-being and nasal congestion. The mucus that comes out of the nose is clear and light in color. With a bacterial infection, the snot is thick, stringy, and yellow or green in color.

The allergic reaction begins quite acutely, accompanied by an increase in temperature, swelling of the nasopharynx, and deterioration in health. In this case, there is copious secretion of mucus from the nose.

How to wean yourself off drops

If you fight rhinitis with the help of drops, you may become addicted to them, and after stopping use, the disease may persist.

Next you will need sea salt, a spray based on plant extracts and aloe juice. Rinse your nostrils with a solution of sea salt (a teaspoon of salt per glass of water). It will help solve the problem during the daytime. To eliminate discomfort at night, you will need aloe juice. It needs to be instilled into the nose.

If you become dependent on drops, you should also consult a doctor. After a thorough examination, the specialist will prescribe a course of treatment (possibly the use of antibiotics).