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Suctioning the Nose with a Bulb Syringe

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Explanation | Supplies | Making nose drops | Administering nose drops | Suctioning the nose

Taking mucus out of your baby's nose with a bulb syringe makes it easier for him/her to breathe and eat. Before using the bulb syringe, you should thin the mucus with normal saline (salt water) nose drops as instructed below.

Supplies

  • 8 ounce cup of warm water
  • Small blanket roll
  • Kitchen measuring spoon
  • Nose droppers
  • Salt
  • Tissues
  • Clean jar with cover
  • Bulb syringe
Suctioning your baby's nose with a bulb syringe will help him/her breathe.

Making Saline Nose Drops

  1. Add 1/4 level teaspoon of salt to the 8 ounce cup of warm water.
  2. Stir to dissolve the salt.
  3. Keep the solution in a clean, covered jar.
  4. Discard the solution after 1 week.

Note: You may also use purchased saline nose drops.

Administering Nose Drops

  1. Roll up a small blanket and place under your baby's shoulders.
    Note: Some children should not be placed in this position. Check with your child's doctor before placing your child in this position.
  2. Using a nose dropper, drop saline solution into each nostril. Use 1-2 drops of saline solution unless otherwise directed by your child's doctor.
  3. Hold your baby in the position described above for about 2 minutes. This will give the saline enough time to thin the secretions. Suction your child's nose after 2 minutes of waiting.

Suctioning Your Child's Nose

Suction your baby's nose before a feeding. If you suction after your baby has been fed, the saline and suctioning may cause vomiting. You should do this no more than two to three times a day.

  1. To suction, squeeze the air out of the bulb before inserting it into the nostril.
  2. Gently place the tip of the bulb into a nostril.
  3. Let the air come back into the bulb. The suction will pull the mucus out of the nose and into the bulb.
  4. Squeeze mucus out of bulb into a tissue.
  5. Suction the other nostril the same way.
  6. Gently wipe off the mucus around the nose with tissues to prevent skin irritation.
  7. Wash the cup, dropper and bulb syringe in cool, soapy water. Squeeze the bulb several times to clean out the mucus. Rinse well with clear water.

Contact Us

For additional information on this or any Health Topic, please call the Family Resource Center, 513-636-7606, or your pediatrician.

rev. 8/06