This handy device allows you to suck out the snot from your baby’s nose when they’re not able to blow it yet. “It makes great sense to wipe our babies’ noses when the mucus rolls out but is it a good idea to stick a nozzle in their noses? Sometimes, but not always,” explains Arthur Lavin, MD, FAAP, a pediatrician at Akron Children’s Hospital in Ohio. Dr. Lavin doesn’t advise using an aspirator if the mucus (wet or dry) isn’t bothering your little one. “Pushing a nozzle into any nose is irritating and usually leads to the nose making more mucus in response,” he says. When your baby is bothered and having trouble breathing and eating, a high-quality nasal aspirator will make the experience less distressing for both of you. It will help clear out any mucus from your child’s nasal cavity, relieving any congestion. Before cleaning out the nose, use saline drops to break up the mucus and make the suction easier and more comfortable for your little one. We evaluated aspirators from the top brands, paying close attention to how easy (and quick!) they are to use, how easy they are to clean, value, and more. Here are the best nasal aspirators to help clear your baby’s nose. We know, it sounds gross. But never fear—the mucus is collected in a washable reservoir and a filter connects the reservoir to the tube. It’s clinically proven to trap not only the mucus but the associated germs as well. While electric models are available, many prefer the level of control one has when using their own suction power instead of a battery’s. Price at time of publish: $21 Price at time of publish: $159 Price at time of publish: $20 Price at time of publish: $19 Price at time of publish: $15 It comes with a vent valve on the side to decrease air backflow for optimum suction. There’s also a travel cap to keep the tip clean while out and about. Price at time of publish: $6
What to Look for in a Baby Nasal Aspirator
Method
With so many snot-sucking devices on the market, giving you a lot to think about before you get down to the business of clearing Baby’s nose. It’s hard for some parents and caregivers to imagine using a product that requires them to suck the snot out a child’s nose. While some methods feel gross to some, these nasal aspirators are effective. Some nasal aspirators require a parent or caregiver to use their mouths to suck the snot out of the child’s nose through a tube. Depending on your comfortability, this method isn’t for everyone, and that’s okay. There are also other nasal aspirators, like electric snot suckers or bulbs, that do the work for you instead.
Comfortable for Baby’s Age
Not all snot suckers are one-age-fits-all, so it’s important to make sure the one you choose will be comfortable for your baby’s age. Be sure to check the manufacturer’s recommendation for age on the nasal aspirator you’re looking at before purchasing. For example, some nasal aspirators are designed for children of all ages (who cannot blow their own nose), while others are made more specifically for toddlers. Checking the age recommendation will ensure your child is most comfortable while their nose gets cleaned out. While Dr. Lavin doesn’t have a preferred type of nasal aspirator, he explains, “Just use it [nasal aspirator] judiciously—only when the mucus really is bothering the baby, not the parent.”
Easy to Clean
It’s no secret that cleaning out a child’s nose can be downright gross, so to make your life easier, find a nasal aspirator that’s easy to clean after use. You want to ensure the snot sucker stays clean and sanitized before and after every use to avoid mold buildup inside. You’ll also find that some nasal aspirators are dishwasher or sterilizer safe while others are hand-wash only. Determine which cleaning method will work best for your lifestyle and stick with that.
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Katrina Cossey has been a digital content producer and news and feature writer for more than six years. She has covered local and national news as well as writing and researching parenting topics. She’s also the mom to a toddler who has had his share of stuffy noses.
