Guide to keep the baby's nose clean (and improve our life)
It is cold. The mucus clogs his nose. Can not breathe well and that causes him not to eat. He is irascible, he does not stop crying and he does not sleep. A good nasal wash it clears its respiratory tract, avoids pulmonary complications and returns the tranquility to our children. It's easy, but you have to know how to do it.
Therefore, the Spanish Association of Pediatrics (AEP) offers a guide for parents to learn how to perform this hygiene work in a way that painless and effective.
What is a nasal wash?
Unlike with older children, babies they do not know how to breathe through their mouth, so if you clog your nose with mucus it is very difficult to take air. Therefore, it must be ensured that these airways are free. In this case you can not use a handkerchief because the little one still does not know that he must exhale through the nostrils to get rid of this mucosa. For this, it is necessary to resort to other methods in order to facilitate the minor's breathing.
The most used are the suckers that by pressure eliminate the mucosa of the nose. In the event that there are several small children at home with these clogged airways, everyone should have your own device to avoid contagion with pathogens. In addition, it is fundamental wash well All parts after each use. Do not share your germs and that these items are washed well after each use to prevent pollutants from remaining on them.
Another option is to resort to physiological serum to clean the nose. This method is as simple as making sure that this liquid reaches the nostril so that the mucus comes out of them. It is recommended that they be purchased in small bottles to avoid contamination of the serum after several uses.
How often should it be done?
Depending on the method that is applied, it will be advised leave a time between one cleaning or another. In the case of suction devices, the change in pressure can cause unpleasant sensations in the ear and dry out the internal tissue of the nose. So it is best to limit its use once or twice a day.
If we use nasal serum, cleaning can be more frequent since it does not dry out and the same pressure is not exerted on the baby's nasal passages.
Tips for nasal washes
These are the tips from the AEP so parents can do a nasal wash correctly:
- It is recommended to do the washing before sleep and before taking the babies.
- Usually a dose of 1.5-2 ml in each nostril in small children and up to 5 ml in older children. It is recommended that the serum be at room temperature.
- It can knock down the child trying to turn his head to the side and trying not to lean back.
- When the child is well restrained, it is when the physiological saline must be poured through the hole what's up.
- If the child is on his back, he can be sit to help you expel the secretions.
- Later, if you repeat the maneuver to put the serum into the other nostril, the head should be turned towards the opposite side.
- In the case that the nose is very blocked, you can take a little serum, massage to soften the mucus and return to take more serum.
- No need to worry if the child swallows the odd mucus since not all are expelled and usually some end up in the stomach of the child.
Damián Montero
