How to Clean Baby's Nose: 3 Tricks Paediatricians Swear By (and 1 Mistake to Avoid!)

How to clean baby’s nose is one of the first things every new parent needs to learn, right up there with trimming those tiny nails and cleaning little ears.

Babies can’t blow their own noses, so they rely on us to keep their nostrils clear. Their nasal passages are also very narrow, which means even a little mucus can block them and make breathing harder.

Babies under about four months breathe mostly through their noses, especially while feeding. If your little one suddenly starts snorting, fussing at the breast or bottle, or seems cranky for no clear reason, a blocked nose could be the culprit.

The good news is that clearing a stuffy nose is simple once you know how. Here’s everything you need to keep your baby’s nose clean, with as little protest from them as possible.

Before You Clean Baby’s Nose: Boogers and Other Causes of Blockage

Image from iStock

Babies don’t always cooperate with nose-clearing, so before you reach for the bulb syringe or aspirator, check whether congestion really is the problem.

Sometimes it’s easy to tell: you can see mucus inside or around the nostrils. Other times the clues are noisy breathing, snorting, snuffling during sleep, or difficulty feeding.

One of the most common nuisances is dried mucus, or what we all call boogers. They make babies uncomfortable, and they can be tricky to get out.

Your baby may have dry, crusty mucus because of:

• dry air, especially in rooms with the air-con on all day
• a cold or another upper respiratory infection
• allergies or irritants in the air
• not getting enough fluids (watch for fewer wet diapers)

What Else Can Cause a Blocked Nose?

A stuffy nose can be caused by your baby’s surroundings, by common illnesses or, occasionally, by something more serious:

• Colds and flu: viruses make the nose produce extra mucus, which can block the nasal passages and make feeding and sleeping harder.
• Dry air: air-conditioning and fans can dry out the nasal passages, which makes mucus thicker and stickier.
• Irritants: cigarette smoke (including smoke on clothes), strong perfumes, incense, haze, dust and pet dander can all irritate a baby’s sensitive nose.
• Allergies: these are less common in young babies, but some little ones react to dust mites or other triggers. Check with your doctor if you suspect this.
• Deviated septum: this is when the wall between the nostrils sits off-centre, which makes one side narrower than the other.
• Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV): this common virus usually causes cold-like symptoms, but in young babies it can lead to bronchiolitis, an infection of the small airways in the lungs. Watch for a worsening cough, fast or laboured breathing, fever and poor feeding. RSV protection for infants is now available in Singapore, so ask your paediatrician whether your baby is eligible.

Babies get blocked noses more often than older children and adults simply because their nasal passages are so small, and they grow wider over time. Most congestion is mild and clears up on its own. But because babies can’t clear their noses themselves, knowing how to clean baby’s nose safely is a must for every parent.

How to Clean Baby’s Nose: 3 Safe and Easy Ways

Image from iStock

When we have a stuffy nose, we just blow it. Your baby can’t do that yet, so here’s how to clean baby’s nose in three safe and simple ways.

Try to clear the nose before feeds and before sleep. Babies find it hard to suck and breathe at the same time when their noses are blocked, so a clear nose means a calmer, fuller feed.

Watch out for this: a congested baby may feed for only a short time and then fuss, and mummies often assume baby simply isn’t hungry. If feeds keep getting cut short, check the nose first.

Limit suctioning to about 3 to 4 times a day. Doing it more often can irritate the delicate lining of the nose, causing swelling or even small nosebleeds, which makes the congestion worse.

1. How to Clean Baby’s Nose With Saline Drops or Spray

How to clean baby’s nose gently? Start with saline. Saline (saltwater) drops or sprays are one of the gentlest and most effective options, and paediatricians often recommend them. They loosen thick mucus so it’s easier to remove. Choose a plain saline product made for babies, with no added medicine.

What to do:

1. Lay your baby on their back.
2. Place a rolled-up towel under their shoulders so their head tilts back slightly.
3. Put one to two drops of saline into each nostril.
4. Wait about 30 to 60 seconds to let the saline loosen the mucus.
5. Sit your baby upright. Some mucus may come out on its own, or you can follow up with a bulb syringe or nasal aspirator (see below).
6. Gently wipe away any mucus or saline with a soft cloth or tissue.

2. How to Clean Baby’s Nose With a Bulb Syringe

A rubber bulb syringe is a staple in most baby care kits, and it’s made specifically for clearing little noses.

How to use:

1. Lay your baby on their back, making sure they’re calm and comfortable. Putting a drop of saline in each nostril first helps loosen hard mucus.
2. Squeeze the air out of the bulb until it’s flattened in your hand.
3. Keeping it squeezed, gently place the tip just inside one nostril. Don’t push it in deep. Just seal the opening.
4. Slowly release the bulb. This draws the mucus into the syringe.
5. Squeeze the mucus out onto a tissue, then repeat on the other nostril if needed.
6. Wash the bulb with warm, soapy water after each use, rinse well and let it dry completely to stop germs from growing inside.

3. How to Clean Baby’s Nose With a Nasal Aspirator

A nasal aspirator does the same job as a bulb syringe, but it’s often easier to control. There are two main types:

• Manual (mouth-suction) aspirators have a tube with a mouthpiece. You create gentle suction yourself, and a filter stops the mucus from reaching your mouth.
• Electric aspirators are battery-powered or rechargeable and do the suction for you.

Side tip: put one drop of saline into each nostril before you start. It softens hardened mucus so it comes out more easily.

How to use:

1. If you’re using an electric aspirator, start on the lowest suction setting. Only increase it if needed, because strong suction can irritate your baby’s nose.
2. Place the tip gently at the opening of the nostril. Don’t insert it deeply.
3. Turn on the suction (or for a manual aspirator, suck gently through the mouthpiece) for just a few seconds.
4. Repeat on the other side if needed.
5. Clean the tip and replace or wash the filter according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

ALSO READ:

Newborn Guide: How to Swaddle a Baby in 5 Easy Steps

How Long Should Baby Wear Mittens, and Other Reminders About Your Baby’s Nails

Parents, These Are the Dangers of Watching TV With Your Newborn in the Room

How to Clean Baby’s Nose Without an Aspirator

You can use a cotton bud or a damp cloth to clean the outside of your baby’s nostrils, and that’s it.

Never put cotton buds, tissue twists, cotton balls or anything else inside your baby’s nose. You could push the mucus further in or hurt the delicate lining.

Here are a few gentle ways to help your baby breathe more easily:

1. Have a steamy bathroom session

Run a hot shower with the bathroom door closed, then sit with your baby in the steamy room (not in the water) for 10 to 15 minutes. The warm, moist air helps loosen mucus. Skip essential oils like eucalyptus or menthol rubs: they aren’t recommended for young babies and can irritate their airways.

2. Wipe the nose clean at bath time

Bath time is a great chance to clean your baby’s face, ears and nose. The warmth and moisture soften dried mucus, so you can gently wipe it away from the nostrils with a soft, damp washcloth. Use only mild, baby-friendly products so you don’t irritate their skin or eyes.

3. Use a cool-mist humidifier

Keeping air-con rooms from getting too dry helps stop mucus from thickening. A cool-mist humidifier in your baby’s room can make breathing more comfortable, especially during sleep. Place it out of your baby’s reach and clean it daily so mould and bacteria don’t build up. Avoid warm-mist humidifiers, which can cause burns.

These are simple ways you can help whenever your baby’s nose is stuffy or crusty. If you’re ever unsure, your paediatrician or a polyclinic nurse can show you the right technique.

Image from iStock

When to See the Doctor

Learning how to clean baby’s nose and using a few home remedies can often save you a trip to the paediatrician. But some symptoms need medical attention.

Bring your baby to the doctor right away if you notice:

• difficulty breathing or very fast breathing
• wheezing or grunting
• flaring nostrils
• the skin pulling in between or under the ribs with each breath
• bluish lips or face (call 995 immediately)
• refusing feeds or noticeably fewer wet diapers
• any fever in a baby under 3 months (a temperature of 38°C or higher)

If your baby’s stuffy nose doesn’t improve after a few days, or seems to be getting worse, take them to their paediatrician for a check-up.

Here at theAsianparent Singapore, it’s important for us to give information that is correct, significant, and timely. But this doesn’t serve as an alternative for medical advice or medical treatment. theAsianparent Singapore is not responsible for those that would choose to drink medicines based on information from our website. If you have any doubts, we recommend consulting your doctor for clearer information.