Clearing your baby's stuffed nose

Stuffed up baby noses aren't much fun. On the positive side, most of the time a stuffed baby nose bothers the parents more than it bothers the babe.

Infants can't blow their nose, as you've likely noticed. One of two things happens instead:

1. Drippy icky baby snot sliding down your baby's face; and just about everywhere else.
2. Nothing. No icky snot, but your baby may be breathing harder than normal, or he may seem like he's having trouble sleeping or eating. That's a stuffed up baby nose.

Babies breathe hard as a rule, unless your baby seems overly congested, or irritated by the stuffed up nose you might not need to do anything. Sometimes a pediatrician will recommend saline drops to loosen the snot. Discuss this first with your pediatrician before trying it. You can also try bringing your baby into the bathroom with you, in a bouncy seat, while you take a warm shower. The steam can help loosen snot too. A second option is the good old baby bulb syringe. Most babies I've met HATE bulb syringes, and no wonder. I don't know about you, but if someone tried to stick something up my nose, I'd fuss too. If you use a bulb syringe:

• Use a new one. An older syringe, like from two kids ago, may be breaking down.
• Only use it two or three times a day, or you can cause swelling of your baby's membranes, which in turn might make the congestion worse.
• Use it gently - first expel all the air from the syringe, then while you're still pressing down insert the syringe carefully into your baby's nose. Only insert one half inch at most. Slowly release the bulb to suction. Squirt the mucus onto a tissue. Wash the syringe well when you're done.

Icky business; it's a good thing these babies come with big eyes and sweet smelling heads.