Health Library

Suctioning the Nose with a Bulb Syringe

Needed Supplies

• 8-ounce cup of warm water
• Kitchen ¼ teaspoon measuring spoon
• Nose droppers
• Salt
• Tissues
• Clean jar with cover
• Bulb syringe

Making Saline Nose Drops

1. Add ¼ 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. Throw away the solution after one week.

Note: You may also use purchased saline nose drops.

Suctioning Steps

1. Wash your hands well before and after suctioning.
2. Lay your baby on their back with their head facing the ceiling. Have someone hold your baby in this position or swaddle your baby in a blanket with arms at their side to keep them still.
3. Using a nose dropper, drop three to four drops of saline solution into one nostril, unless otherwise directed by your baby's doctor. Hold your baby in this position for one minute.
4. Before placing the bulb into the nostril, push all the air out of it with your thumb on the top of the bulb.
5. Carefully and gently, place the tip of the bulb into a nostril until the nostril is sealed.
6. Slowly release your thumb, letting the air come back into the bulb. The suction will pull the mucus out of the nose and into the bulb.
7. Remove the bulb from your baby’s nose and squeeze the mucus out of the bulb into a tissue.
8. Repeat steps 3 through 7 on the other nostril. You may need to suction each nostril several times to clear all the mucus.
9. Gently wipe off the mucus around your baby’s nose with tissues to prevent skin irritation.
10. Clean the bulb syringe after each use with warm soapy water and rinse thoroughly.

Safety Tips

Avoid suctioning after feeding. This may cause your baby to vomit.

When suctioning the mouth, be sure to put the suction bulb toward the inside cheek of your child's mouth. If the bulb is placed in the middle of the mouth, your baby may gag and vomit.