In the cold season it is common for babies to have their nose plugged, and since they still do not know how to blow (they will take a year or another) and only breathe through their nose, we have to help them so that they are not uncomfortable. But, What to do if the baby has a blocked nose?
For the baby to expel the mucus we have to make them "circular", and for this the nasal washes are indicated. As for extracting mucus through nasal aspirators, we recently saw that they are not as recommended, and the Spanish Association of Pediatrics notes that a maximum of two daily aspirations should not be exceeded.
This is because the suction pressure produced by vacuum cleaners can cause unpleasant sensations in the ear and dry the mucosa of the nose.
Definitely, nasal washes are more appropriate, and can be done as many times as necessary per day. But it's not that simple, because babies don't like these washes at all. To clean the baby's nose, you must use physiological serum that is marketed in various formats.
The large container is cheaper but we must ensure that it has an applicator small enough to serve for the baby. We must keep in mind that with prolonged use over time or by sharing the same container among several family members, germs can proliferate and some contagion can occur.
Single-dose containers of physiological serum They are more practical and hygienic. Some are marketed with a round and soft "adapter" for the baby's delicate nose.
Probably the baby resists the washing maneuver, so you have to hold it firmly, lying down and tilting your head, pouring the saline with determination through the hole in the nose that is up. It is incorporated to facilitate the expulsion of secretions and the operation is repeated with the opposite side.
To promote the circulation of mucus, you can also make "steam baths" with humidifiers (or without them, with hot water in the bathroom) so that the mucus will soften and make it easier to expel. In this sense, performing physiological washing after bathing can be a good option.
It is important that the baby has the nostrils cleared before the shots (so that he can breastfeed without difficulty) and before sleeping, to promote rest. And remember that to promote the expulsion of mucus there is the natural mechanism of cough, so we should not strive to make it disappear.
You know, before colds if the baby has a blocked nose we have to do nasal washes with physiological serum as many times as necessary (which are likely to be several throughout the day) to restore well-being.
