Nasal Suction

Definition

• Nasal congestion can be the worst part of a cold for young children
• It can keep your baby from feeding and sleeping well
• Nasal suction with a little saline or water can save the day

Call or Return If

• Your child is having trouble breathing
• You think your child needs to be seen
• You have other questions or concerns

About This Topic

General

• Nose secretions are a normal part of the common cold. Most come from the sinuses. Reason: Viral sinusitis is a part of all colds.
• The discharge stays clear for a few days and then becomes cloudy. Sometimes, it becomes yellow or green colored for a few days. This is still normal.
• Thicker discharge is more common with sleep or low humidity. Allergy medicines also make the nose discharge thicker. Reason: All of these reduce the amount of normal nasal secretions. So, the discharge dries out.
• Reality: Cough and cold medicines can't remove dried nasal discharge from the nose. Neither can antibiotics.
• What to do? Nasal saline (salt water) and suction to the rescue.

Symptoms of Nasal Congestion: Is Nasal Suction Needed?

• Nasal congestion varies in severity.
• Most nasal congestion just causes a little noisy breathing. Your baby or child is not even aware of it. This kind doesn't need any treatment.
• Nasal congestion needs treatment if it interferes with function.
• The main example in infants is trouble during breast or bottle feeding. When the mouth is closed the baby can't breathe through the nose. Therefore, the baby has to stop feeding to breathe. This degree of blockage can be seen by putting a pacifier in the mouth.
• Nasal congestion can also cause loud noisy breathing. The child is usually fussy when the breathing reaches this level. Sometimes with noisy breathing, you can't see blockage in the front of the nose. This usually means the dried mucus is farther back.
• These infants need nasal saline drops or spray to loosen up the dried mucus. If you don't have, you can use bottled water or boiled tap water. Sometimes, the saline alone will cause the child to sneeze out the mucus. Other times, the saline will wash the mucus to the back of the nose. Then, it can be swallowed. Others will need nasal suction to get out the mucus.
• Rule 1: Never suction without first loosening up the mucus with saline. If you don't have any, you can use a few drops of clean tap water. (If under 1 year old, use bottled water or boiled tap water.) Reason: Suction or nose blowing alone can't remove dried or sticky mucus. Use 3 drops in each nostril.
• Rule 2: If the saline opens up the nose, suctioning is not needed. Goal: Avoid needless suctioning.
• Another option: Use a warm shower to loosen mucus.
• For young children, can also use a wet cotton swab to remove sticky mucus.
• Caution: Never use the suction bulb to put the saline in the nose. Reason: Suction bulbs are usually dirty with germs.

After Care Advice