The question of how to suck out a snot in a baby cannot be answered unambiguously. Some pediatricians do not recommend using this method, and some welcome it so as not to use drugs. In any case, cleansing the nose of a child is a separate procedure that requires study and accuracy.
Causes and treatment of the common cold in children
In medicine, there are several causes of the common cold in newborns. It can occur due to the penetration of infections or various allergens into the body of the baby. Snot can also appear due to teething in the baby's teeth, although doctors do not officially confirm this theory.
If parents complain to the doctor about snot in the baby, then first of all he can advise them with medication, but experienced mothers strongly recommend that the snot be sucked out so as not to harm the child’s weak immunity.
Cleansing the baby's nose from secretions
So, for starters, you need to figure out whether it is possible to suck out a snot in an infant. Many parents strongly recommend this procedure, because nasal congestion prevents the child from eating normally and sleeping. However, any mom should take this very seriously. It is important to control strength so as not to harm the baby's mucosa.
There is another reason why doctors do not recommend a similar treatment for the common cold. The fact is that removing the snot from the baby too often from the nose can increase the amount of discharge.
Then another question arises: how many times can a snot be sucked from an infant in a day? It can not be answered unambiguously. Experienced mothers never do this procedure often. Only in cases of emergency. With an infectious rhinitis, it is enough to clean the baby's nostrils from secretions no more than 3 times a day.
How to suck out a snot in a baby? Methods
In emergency situations, when the child suffocates from a runny nose, mom can use improvised means. There are a huge number of different ways to remove secretions from the baby’s nose, however, only three can be attributed to the main methods:
- Suction with an aspirator, which is sold in any pharmacy. This method is as gentle as possible, because this device was created specifically for these purposes. These devices are inexpensive, and any parent will understand the operation. How to suck out a snot in an infant with an aspirator, we will describe below.
- Removing snot by mouth. For some, this method will seem unacceptable, and doctors will agree with these. The fact is that it is very unhygienic, but it is with this method that mom can independently control the strength and amount of secretions.
- Using a small size rubber bulb. This method has long been a thing of the past, although due to its cheapness, many parents still use it in business.
Now it's time to take a closer look at each of the three main methods.
Mom's nose cleansing
A simple and effective way. Probably, it is not necessary to describe in stages how to suck out a snot from a baby by mouth. It should only be noted that the method absolutely does not require any financial investments. It is enough for parents to have at hand only a tube with which you can remove the contents of the nose.
In general, doctors are surprised that in modern society such methods are still practiced by mothers, however, there are those who do not consider the suction of secretions by mouth to be something terrible. This method really has a right to exist. The fact is that he is good if the parent does not have the opportunity to go to the pharmacy, and you need to save the baby. Also, it can be used on the road or where to buy a more modern tool is simply not possible.
Pear use
Some mothers also call a rubber bulb an enema. Pears, like aspirators, are sold in pharmacies. They were used before, when medicine had not yet come up with more modern ways to remove secretions from the baby’s nose. This method is already outdated, although some parents still resort to it.
How to suck a snot from a baby with a pear? Very simple. The nose of the device is inserted into the nostril. Then you need to press and release the pear like a pipette.
Despite the fact that the method seems clear and simple, the pear has several drawbacks. Firstly, it is very difficult to rinse it after removing the secretions. Mom has to repeatedly draw water into the device, but this does not guarantee its complete purification. Doctors also note that the pear is not very effective in terms of removing secretions from the nose. She takes only the most liquid snot.
It is also necessary to say that in some cases, the discharge in children is too deep. Closer to the bridge of the nose. In this case, a rubber bulb will turn out to be an absolutely pointless device, because its nose cannot be inserted at the required distance.
Use of an aspirator
Experienced mothers, when they face the question of how to suck out snot from an infant, use modern and patented devices - aspirators. They are specially created in order to maximally save the baby from secretions, and also help to do it quickly and safely.
All aspirators can be divided into three main groups:
- mechanical (look like a tube with a special tip. Removing snot occurs with the help of a mother’s breath: you need to insert the tip of the tube into the baby’s nose and suck in air);
- electronic (the principle of operation, like mechanical ones, only with the help of the parent is not needed: you just insert the tip into the nasal passage and press the button);
- vacuum (create a slight vacuum in the nostril. They work with a vacuum cleaner that connects to them).
Each category of aspirators is good in its own way. Each also has its drawbacks (see table).
Advantages and disadvantages of aspirators | Mechanical | Electronic | Vacuum |
| Advantages | Inexpensive, reliable, you can control the result | Work speed | Speed, hygienic, can be used from birth |
| disadvantages | The handset quickly becomes unusable | High price, and the tube also wears out quickly | Noise level, cannot be used if there are peels |
Proper process management
After analyzing all the methods that help cleanse the baby’s nose, there is only one question. How to suck out a snot in a baby? How to carry out this procedure inexperienced mommy?
So, there is nothing complicated about it. Just remember a few simple rules:
- To cleanse the nose, mom will need some kind of turun little girl. Of course, it can also be made from an ordinary piece of cotton wool. However, then the turunda will turn out loose and it will be impossible to clear the nose of secretions. For these purposes, a regular cotton pad, divided into two parts , is better suited.
- In order not to damage the child's nostril, turunda is better to dip in some kind of oil. Then the cotton wool will easily go deep and remove the most inaccessible secretions.
- It is strictly forbidden to use cotton buds for parents, especially inexperienced mothers. At first glance, they will cleanse the nose much better than regular cotton wool, but if the depth of administration is not observed, the children's mucous membrane can be easily damaged.
- Special baby cotton buds with a limiter will also be useless. The fact is that the limiter on them is set too high. Mom will only be able to reach the lowest parts of the nose.
- Doctors also strongly recommend rinsing the baby’s nose before draining the discharge. This method will soften existing crusts and remove snot as much as possible.
Nasal flushing with saline
Salt solutions, according to many pediatricians, are the best way to rinse baby spouts. Sea salt has a positive effect on the dynamics of the treatment of the common cold, especially if it has an infectious nature.
But how to suck out a snot in a baby with saline?
This method perfectly dilutes existing secretions and relieves even severe nasal congestion. After its use, immediately remove the liquid with an aspirator. Repeat several times.
The disadvantage of saline solutions is the presence of a number of contraindications. Some parents forget to consult a doctor before using them, which exacerbates the situation. In no case should you use medications such as "Aquamaris" or "Aqualor" on their own.
Flushing the nose with saline
And if parents who care about the health of their baby do not have the opportunity to visit a pediatrician? How to suck out a snot in a baby in this case? Or can this stage be neglected?
In no case. In such situations, you can use saline bought at any pharmacy, which is intended for intravenous injection. Of course, some parents use various herbal decoctions or plain mineral water, but a special solution will still be the best remedy.
Saline solution will perfectly soften the crust in the baby’s nose and will not harm him. The only drawback of this tool is the release form. The solution is sold in large containers, and when it is introduced, the mother will need to use a syringe, so maximum accuracy is required.