Using a Rubber Bulb to Clear a Baby's Nose

When you're stuffed up, you can blow your nose. A baby can't do that.

And a stuffy nose can make it hard for your baby to eat and sleep.

You can use a rubber bulb to remove mucus from your baby's nose.

It's easy to do.

Place your baby so the head is tilted back a little.

Squeeze the air out of the bulb with your thumb.

Gently slide the tip of the bulb into one nostril until it's snug, then release the bulb to suction up the mucus.

Remove the bulb and squeeze it into a tissue to push out the mucus.

Repeat these steps for the other nostril.

When you're finished, wash the bulb in warm, soapy water.

Rinse it well, and squeeze it a few times to remove any water.

You can use a bulb to clear your baby's nose before feedings and bedtime.

But don't use it more than 5 or 6 times a day.

Doing it too often could make the lining of the nose swell or bleed and make congestion worse.