Nasal Congestion and Aspirating Bulb in Baby

You can use a small rubber bulb (called an aspirating bulb) to remove mucus from your baby’s nose or mouth when a cold or allergies make it hard for the baby to eat, sleep, or breathe.

To use the bulb:

1. Put a few saline nose drops in each side of the baby’s nose before you start.
2. Position the baby with his or her head tilted slightly back.
3. Squeeze the round base of the bulb.
4. Gently insert the tip of the bulb tightly inside the baby’s nose.
5. Release the bulb to remove (suction) mucus from the nose.

Don’t do this more than 5 or 6 times a day. Doing it too often can make the congestion worse and can also cause the lining of the nose to swell or bleed.