How to clear your baby's nose

Winter all too often means never-ending colds, so the question we have decided to address is: how do you clear your baby's nose? A runny nose, or one that makes it hard to breathe, is a common worry for parents, as we know all too well that a poorly cleared nose can pave the way for other illnesses. So, before your baby learns to manage it themselves, here we present the various techniques and good practices to help your baby breathe easy.

The importance of clearing your baby's nose properly

First of all, it is worth noting that the question of clearing your baby's nose arises when there is a clear indication to do so. Indeed, if the nose is blocked, a nasal wash is necessary — especially if the baby has only just been born; we would say up to 2 months of age in particular.

It is therefore extremely important to know how to clear your baby's nose in order to avoid respiratory problems or even sudden death. Regular nasal washing will therefore be necessary.

Do be careful not to do it too often, however, as this could irritate your newborn's tiny nasal passages. In addition, there are several different techniques for clearing a baby's nose. Let us look at them in detail.

How to clear your baby's nose: the positions to use

First of all, it is worth highlighting that to clear your baby's nose you should only ever use a simple saline solution. Washing should be done daily, 2 to 3 times. Opt for moments before feeds, to make it easier for your baby to take their milk. There are then different positions to adopt, depending on the baby's age.

The position for clearing a newborn's nose

First and foremost, always remember to explain to your child what you are about to do and talk them through it. Do not hesitate to tell them you are going to clear their nose and that they may not enjoy it.

It has to be said — that is quite an understatement! Right then — here is precisely how to clear your baby's nose: lay them on their side and take the saline pipette in your hand.

Then, hold your baby's head and empty roughly a third of the pipette into the upper nostril. For your information, if the liquid comes out of the other nostril, do not worry — that is a good sign!

Once that nostril is done, we recommend sitting your baby up or propping them upright to wipe their nose.

We advise, as many paediatricians recommend, to do the other nostril at the next wash. This allows your baby to be less unsettled, and gives you a chance to pace yourself through this not-always-pleasant task. So how do you clear a baby's nose when they are a little older?

The position to use once your baby can hold their head up

The key difference from the previous case is that you will be able to hold your child sitting up against you. In the same way, talk to them to explain what is about to happen. Then, avoid blocking their head so as not to startle them — instead, simply hold it gently. And place the pipette against one of their nostrils.

You can then proceed with washing one side, and if things go smoothly, go ahead and wash the other straight away.

After all that, you may well be wondering what the nasal aspirator is actually for.

How to clear your baby's nose: dedicated accessories — when should you use them?

Indeed, you may be expecting us to sing the praises of the well-known nasal aspirator here. Well, we are rather of the view that the nasal aspirator is very harsh on your little one.

The nose is a delicate orifice that deserves a great deal of respect. As such, the nasal aspirator should be used only when the nose appears genuinely blocked — and only on the advice of your paediatrician in particular. You will need to press on one nostril and use the aspirator in the other.

Finally, products such as nasal sprays or sea water solutions should only be used on a doctor's prescription. So do not hesitate to bring it up with them if you think it could help you clear your baby's nose.