Young children need careful care. Particular attention should be paid to the hygiene of the baby’s nose. Discomfort caused by a runny nose, congestion or the appearance of crusts on the mucous membrane (due to a banal reason – dry air in the room, for example) can cause anxiety for the baby, sleep disturbances, and refusal to feed. The situation is complicated by the fact that until about 2 years of age, children, in principle, do not know how to blow their noses, which means they cannot get rid of mucus on their own.
If you have a runny nose
If your toddler has a stuffy nose or has a lot of mucus due to a respiratory or allergic illness, it is difficult for him to breathe. Babies of the first six months of life are especially affected – they have not yet developed the instinct for mouth breathing. The task of the parents is to clean the mucus from the nose in a timely manner. To effectively and safely carry out the procedure, it is recommended to use:
- saline solution – drops (for children under two years old) and spray (for children over two years old);
- aspirator for children;
- spare nozzles for the aspirator.
The saline solution is instilled into the spout. It helps to loosen mucus so that it can be removed from the nose more easily. If a runny nose is caused by a seasonal or household allergy, flushing will remove allergen particles from the mucous membrane. The saline solution also enhances natural resistance to pathogens and viruses, which means recovery will be faster.
The children’s aspirator is a special device for gentle but effective removal of nasal discharge in babies from birth. In fact, this is an advanced syringe. The device consists of a transparent container for collecting mucus and a flexible tube. It is not difficult to understand how to use an aspirator. The tip is inserted into the baby’s nostril, and the mother takes the mouthpiece into her mouth and makes suction movements. The mucus is retained in the container and does not pass through the tube higher, due to the presence of the filter.
How to rinse a spout – instructions for parents
The procedure for rinsing the nose in children consists of irrigating the nasal cavity with a special solution (in order to reduce the viscosity of mucus) and then removing it using an aspirator. This should be done as needed – as soon as you notice that the nasal passages are filled with mucus and breathing is difficult.
Proceed as follows:
- Place your baby on his back.
- Put saline solution into each nasal passage. When instilling in the left nostril, turn the baby’s head slightly to the right, to the right – to the left.
- Assemble the aspirator by connecting all parts as described in the instructions.
- If the baby is not yet able to sit, try to position him vertically. If the child is already sitting on his own, make him sit comfortably.
- Insert the tip into the nostril and pinch the mouthpiece with your lips.
- Slowly suck in air until the mucus enters the container.
- Repeat steps 5-6 with the other nostril.
Rinsing will require sterile isotonic saline. For babies, Otrivin Baby drops in metered vials are optimal. There are no preservatives in the composition, so each of them can be stored no more than 12 hours after opening. By using special disposable vials, re-infection is prevented. And thanks to their small size, they fit comfortably in mom’s hand.
Also, the complex for the care of the nasal cavity of babies from birth, in addition to convenient drops, includes an Otrivin Baby aspirator. The device can be used many times and the replaceable foam filter tips ensure hygiene for every application. They are disposable, do not require boiling, which greatly facilitates the life of parents and saves time for sterilization. The procedure should be repeated at the first sign of a cold. Also relevant for everyday hygiene.
Do not forget to praise and kiss your baby after the procedure! Be affectionate with him, even if he is a little capricious. Now, thanks to the Otrivin Baby complex, his nose breathes easier and his mood begins to improve!
