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Runny nose in a baby: how to clean a baby’s nose? Video
A runny nose in an infant is far from harmless. The baby, applying to the chest, should breathe through the nose. And the mucus does not allow air to pass into the lungs. Therefore, the child constantly interrupts sucking, is capricious, refuses food. And every mother should know how to quickly clear the nasal passages of the crumbs so that the discharge does not cause concern.
Runny nose in an infant – what to do
How many mothers have had to deal with a runny nose in infants? It is especially difficult for those who do not have support in the form of experienced grandmothers or older sisters who already have children. They need to comprehend everything on their own experience, trying one or another way of dealing with an abundant discharge. They watch videos on the Internet, consult with friends, call doctors before learning how to properly help their baby.
It is not recommended to use medicines without a doctor’s prescription.
There can be several reasons for a common cold in children. And this is not always a disease. There is a so-called physiological rhinitis, which appears in infants in the first days after birth. The lungs thus get rid of mucus and excess moisture. More often than not, this does not bother a tiny bit of anxiety. But if the discharge is abundant, the child needs help. Otherwise, mucus will drain down your throat and lungs, causing you to cough.
In addition to a physiological rhinitis, a baby may experience an allergic one, as well as caused by ARVI or ARI. Such a runny nose does not go away for a long time, the baby’s nose is stuffy, the color of the mucus becomes darker, and the discharge becomes thicker. In this case, consultation with a pediatrician is necessary. He will prescribe special treatment, prescribe medications and explain how to properly carry out treatment procedures.
How to properly clean the nose of a newborn
The baby’s nose is very small, and it can be difficult to clean it of mucus. If you see that the nasal passages are clogged, the child breathes through the mouth, try to suck the discharge with a special enema. These devices are sold at the pharmacy. There are manual aspirators, they are cheaper, but the effect of their use is low. And there are electrical appliances that have a high degree of suction due to the complete sealing of the nostril. They remove mucus from the baby very quickly. It is up to you to buy one or another aspirator. But remember that until the newborn or newborn learns to blow his nose (and this usually happens a year, not earlier), you will have to use the device very often.
If you decide to buy a manual aspirator, you need to suck mucus very carefully so as not to hurt your baby’s nose. Place the baby in the crib and turn the head slightly to the side so that it is more comfortable to reach the nostril. Pinch the free nostril with your finger, squeeze the aspirator and quickly insert it into the other nostril. Unclench your fingers to straighten the enema. The mucus will be inside. Brush the other nostril.
With an electric appliance, the process becomes much easier, as it has a higher retraction force and there are enough nozzles to fit the smallest nozzles.
After the procedure, take a cotton swab (you can use a gauze flagellum), lubricate with baby petroleum jelly or ordinary sunflower oil, and treat each nostril from the inside. This will relieve the nose of the crumbs from dryness, crusts and eliminate microcracks.
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