It’s wintertime with colds and cases of flu being spread around. No matter how much you look after your baby, she is prone to catching something. Then the sniffles start.
Mucus in your baby’s nose can cause congestion. Dried mucus turns into boogers that can be a challenge to remove. You don’t want to use your fingers or a q-tip to get rid of them. You can use a saline spray or steam.
It’s not just cold and flu season that can cause your baby’s nose to develop mucus.
Read on to find out what is behind your baby (and you) developing boogers and how to get rid of them.
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Why does my baby have boogers?
Babies (and us) can get the sniffles during the winter. This is due to the cold air irritating the lining of your baby’s nose. Extra mucus is made to keep the nose moist.
Extra mucus means more boogers being made, especially if your wee one has a cold or the flu.
But there can be other reasons why your baby is producing boogers.
Allergies
Your baby could have an allergy. This can cause nasal congestion and a runny nose. To tell if the problem may be an allergic reaction, have a look at the color of the mucus: it should be clear and watery.
Weather changes
When the weather’s temperature or humidity changes, it can cause swelling of the membranes within the nasal passages. That can lead to a runny nose.
Dry air
As your baby inhales dry air through his nose, it can reduce the amount of moisture within the nose. To keep everything moist, nasal mucus is produced.
Pollution
Your baby’s nose does a great job of filtering out the unwanted particles from the air she breathes. However, pollution can cause the nasal passages to become irritated and extra mucus to be produced.
How do I know if my baby has boogers?
You can do your best as a parent and wipe that runny nose. But, unless you look into the nostrils of your wee one, how can you tell if his nose is congested.
Here are some signs to look out for:
- your baby starts snoring while sleeping
- puts up a wee fuss during feeding time (because he can’t breathe properly)
- noisy or more exaggerated breathing habits
- coughing
- your wee one begins to get the sniffles
Keeping a constant check up your baby’s nose can minimize the opportunity for boogers to develop and dry out.
When you do discover them, there is a variety of methods you can use to get rid of the boogers.
How to clear your baby’s nose
The best way to deal with the situation is to clear the mucus before it has time to dry. Yet, if it doesn’t become solid you can still take care of the problem. It requires you to soften the boogers before removing the.
Dealing with the dry stuff
If the mucus in your baby’s nose has hardened, you don’t want to pick it out. Using your fingers or a q-tip can cause the inside of the nose to be scratched or cause unintended pain for your littlie.
The trick is to add moisture to the boogers. There are some options you can choose for the process.
Use a saline spray
This is a popular method. You insert the nozzle of the spray bottle into the nostril of your baby, then give it two or three squirts. Repeat the process for the other nostril and you’re done.
To reduce the chance of your baby reacting negatively to the process, wait until they are naturally calm such as when they lying down in their crib.
You can make your own saline solution. Add a teaspoon of salt to eight ounces of warm water. Pour your saline mix into a spray bottle then use it to melt the boogers.
Add some steam
Steam is moisture. When your baby is congested steam can loosen the mucus and make it easier to remove.
Turn on the shower in your bathroom and allow the room to fill up with steam. Take your baby and enter the bathroom (there is no need to go into the shower).
Just spend time in the steamy room. This will help your baby’s congested nose.
Control the humidity
Dry air can be an enemy to your baby’s nose. Keep some moisture in the air by using a humidifier.
Frida has the Fridababy 3-in-1 humidifier and diffuser. It also acts as a night light. You can add essential oils to it if you want your wee ones sleeping area to smell gorgeous.
Another option is the LittleHippo WISPI Humidifier. It’s an adorable-looking piece with 7 different colored lights you can select from to keep your wee one feeling safe at night.
Suck out the gunk
Once you have the mucus softened, or if your baby’s nose is running like a faucet, take away the build-up.
This is where things can get a bit on the icky side for parents. So if you are a little squeamish, it’s best to prepare yourself for the task ahead.
There are a couple of ways you can suck out the boogers.
Aspirators
With an aspirator, you are sucking out the boogers. Place the nozzle into the nostril of your baby. Gently press down on the other nostril to keep it blocked.
Now position your mouth over the mouthpiece and start sucking. The mucus from your baby’s nostril will make its way into the tube of the aspirator. Repeat the process with the other nostril.
Don’t worry, there is a filter that blocks everything. So there is no worry about you accidentally inhaling the boogers.
The bulb
This tool looks like a balloon with a nozzle attached. The way you use it is similar to that of an aspirator (minus you having to use your mouth in the extraction process.)
Gently insert the tip of the bulb into one of your baby’s nostrils, while you keep the other nostril closed. Squeeze the body of the bulb. This acts as a vacuum to suck out the mucus. Do the same with the other nostril.
Both the aspirator and bulb methods will require a little cleaning up afterward. Wipe your wee one’s nose and give them praise for being so brave while you did your thing.
Wash out the aspirator or bulb with hot water and disinfect it.
Use elevation
If you have your baby’s head raised slightly while they sleep, the mucus can naturally drain away.
Note: This method should only be used if your baby hasn’t yet developed the ability to roll over or crawl.
To elevate your littlies head, place a rolled-up blanket under their pillow or under the top of their mattress. You don’t want to make the elevation so high that it’s uncomfortable for your baby.
Use your motherly (or fatherly) instincts to figure out how high to raise your baby’s head.
What if your baby puts up a struggle?
Baby’s can put up a little fuss when they experience something that isn’t comfortable for them. Having stuff shoved up the nose doesn’t rate that high on anyone’s fun meter.
To minimize the chance that your wee one is going to make the situation challenging, here are some things you can do.
Soothe them with your voice
Talk and sing gently to your baby. Fill your voice with praise and encouragement. Allow your words and songs to become a soothing balm for your wee one as you remove the boogers.
Wait for the right time
The best time is when they are relaxed (such as after they have had a bath or spent time in your arms). At this time your baby is that little more willing to participate without fussing.
Do the procedure with gentleness and care
This not only reduces any discomfort but also minimizes the possibility of accidentally scratching the inside of your baby’s nose.
Praise and reward your baby
Once the boogers are gone, tell your wee one how good they were. Pour your praise and love over them. Reward your baby by letting them play with their favorite toy or give them a snack that they love.
Conclusion
Mucus in your baby’s nose can increase during the colder seasons. Another cause of a runny nose is dry air. The moisture within the nose is reduced as this air is inhaled. As the sniffles start, boogers can develop.
A blocked nose can affect your baby’s ability to breathe. You may notice that she starts to snore while sleeping. Pay attention to any symptoms that appear.
Use a saline solution or steam to soften those hardened boogers and suck them out.
Now that your baby can breathe normally again, celebrate the time with a game.
Boogers aren’t that fun to take care of, but it’s a necessary part of parenting. Embrace it with joy knowing that you’re an amazing parent.