For a newborn’s nose, use saline drops, wait a minute, then gently suction with a bulb or nasal aspirator; add steam or a cool-mist humidifier as needed.
Newborn Nose Basics
New babies breathe through the nose most of the time, which means any dried mucus can make feeding and sleep tough. A few gentle clears each day can help your baby breathe, feed, and settle. Sneezes are normal and help move mucus forward. Your job is to loosen what’s stuck and remove what your baby can’t sneeze out.
Methods And Tools At A Glance
| Method | How It Helps | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Saline drops or spray | Loosens thick, dry mucus so it slides forward | Choose sterile saline; avoid medicated sprays for infants unless your clinician says so |
| Bulb syringe | Sucks out loosened mucus from the front of the nose | Squeeze before the tip touches the nostril; release slowly |
| Manual mouth-suction aspirator | Parent controls suction with a tube and filter | Keep the tip at the nostril opening; clean parts after each use |
| Electric nasal aspirator | Provides steady, gentle suction | Short sessions only; follow the device manual |
| Warm bath or steamy bathroom | Moist air softens crusts | Hold your baby upright on your chest for comfort |
| Cool-mist humidifier | Adds moisture to room air | Use distilled water and clean often to avoid mold or mineral mist |
| Petroleum jelly at nostril edge | Protects skin from irritation | Apply a thin film only at the outside rim |
| Don’t use: cotton swabs inside the nose | — | Inserts too far and may scratch or bleed |
Getting Boogers Out Of A Newborn’s Nose: Safe Steps
Work in this order when the nose looks packed or you hear snorts during feeds.
- Soften with saline. Place 1–2 drops of sterile saline in each nostril. If you choose a spray, use a baby design with a gentle pump. Saline loosens thick gunk and brings it forward. See the AAP’s step-by-step note on saline and suction.
- Wait 30–60 seconds. Let the saline work. A sneeze may follow, which helps.
- Suction the front, not the back. With a bulb syringe, squeeze first, place the tip just at the nostril opening, then release slowly. With a mouth-suction or electric device, keep the tip only at the entrance and use short pulls. Move to the other side.
- Clear between pulls. Wipe the tip on a clean tissue, then repeat once or twice per side if needed.
- Add moisture. Run a cool-mist humidifier during naps and overnight if the room feels dry. Follow the EPA’s guidance on safe humidifier care and cleaning.
- Finish with comfort. Hold your baby upright for a few minutes and offer a feed if it was interrupted.
Saline: Small Drops, Big Help
Saline is simple salt water that matches the body’s level. It softens crusts and helps mucus slide to the front where you can reach it. Use sterile, store-bought saline or a fresh batch made with boiled, cooled water and plain salt. For newborns, drops tend to be easier to control than a strong spray.
How To Place Saline Drops
Lay your baby on the back with a slight tilt to one side, or hold on your shoulder. Place 1–2 drops in the upper nostril so gravity carries saline inward. Switch sides. Give it a short minute to work before suction. If your baby swallows some saline, that’s okay.
Bulb Syringe Basics
That little rubber bulb can be gentle if you use it right. Squeeze the bulb before the tip reaches the nostril. Seal the rim of the nostril, release slowly, then remove and squeeze the bulb into a tissue. Repeat on the other side. Slow movements lower the chance of swelling or a tiny nosebleed.
Mouth-Suction And Electric Aspirators
These tools keep your hands free and can feel easier at night. Keep the tip at the nostril opening; don’t push inside. Use short pulls and pause if your baby fusses. Avoid long, continuous suction. Clean and dry every part after you finish.
Steam, Humidity, And Positioning
A warm bath or a few minutes in a steamy bathroom helps soften crusts before saline and suction. At bedtime, a cool-mist humidifier can keep mucus from drying out again. Use distilled water, empty the tank daily, and scrub on the schedule in the manual so you’re not blowing minerals or germs into the room air.
How Often To Clear A Newborn Nose
Use saline as needed through the day, such as before feeds and sleep. Do brief suction only after saline, and keep it to a few pulls per side. Too much suction in one session can irritate the lining and make stuffiness seem worse. If the nose looks pink, stop and try again later with more moisture and a gentler touch.
Feeding And Sleep Tips When Congested
- Before feeds: Do saline and one round of suction so your baby can latch and breathe.
- During feeds: Pause if you hear loud snorts. A quick re-clear can help.
- For sleep: Run a clean cool-mist humidifier. Keep the crib flat and bare. Hold upright on your chest for a few minutes if your baby wakes stuffy.
Second-By-Second: A Sample Clear
Here’s a simple routine many parents like during the evening wind-down:
- Turn on the shower hot for a minute and sit in the steamy room with your baby for two to three minutes.
- Dry off, then place 1–2 saline drops per nostril.
- Wait 45 seconds.
- Use the bulb or aspirator with one to two short pulls per side.
- Wipe the nose and add a thin film of petroleum jelly to the outer rim if the skin looks sore.
- Set a freshly cleaned cool-mist humidifier by the crib, out of reach.
When To Call Your Baby’s Clinician
Reach out the same day if you see fast breathing, chest pulling in between ribs, blue lips or skin, a fever in a baby under 3 months, fewer wet diapers, poor feeds, or if the nose bleeds often. A nonstop thick green discharge with fever can point to infection. Trust your gut; if breathing seems off, get help now.
Red-Flag Symptoms And Actions
| Sign | What You Might Notice | What To Do |
|---|---|---|
| Breathing looks hard | Fast rate, ribs pulling in, grunt or wheeze | Seek urgent care |
| Fever under 3 months | Rectal temperature 100.4°F (38°C) or higher | Call now |
| Poor feeds or low wets | Less interest in nursing or bottle, fewer diapers | Call the office today |
| Frequent nosebleeds | Blood with each suction attempt | Stop suction and ask for guidance |
| Lasting thick discharge | Green mucus with fever or foul smell | Call for a sick visit |
Cleaning Your Gear
After each session, wash the bulb or aspirator parts with warm soapy water, rinse well, and air-dry. Once a day, soak parts that allow it in warm soapy water for longer and rinse again. Replace filters on mouth-suction devices per the box. Check the tips often and swap them out if the edges look worn.
Humidifier Care That Keeps Air Fresh
Empty and dry the tank daily. Scrub as the manual says, usually every few days. Use distilled water to avoid white dust on surfaces. Keep the unit on a stable surface, away from the crib and cords. Skip scented add-ins; strong oils and vapors can sting tiny noses.
What To Avoid
- Cotton swabs or any tool pushed into the nostril.
- Thick gels or ointments inside the nose.
- Over-suctioning in one session.
- Menthol rubs or strong oils under the nose.
- Warm-mist vaporizers, which can burn small hands.
Bulb, Mouth, Or Electric: Picking A Tool
All three can work. The best pick is the one you’ll reach for in the middle of the night. Bulb syringes are cheap and easy to pack. Mouth-suction models give you fine control and a filter for hygiene. Electric units can help if your hands shake or you want one-hand use. Keep at least one backup in case a part goes missing.
If Your Baby Hates Nose Time
Lots of babies protest. Keep sessions short. Swaddle the arms or ask a helper to hold the shoulders. Try drops in a steamy bathroom so the air already feels soft. Sing the same song each time so your baby learns the routine. Offer a cuddle and a quick feed when you finish.
Skin Care Around The Nose
Wipe gently with soft tissues or a damp cotton pad. Pat dry. If the skin looks chafed, dab a tiny ring of plain petroleum jelly at the outer rim twice a day. Skip menthol rubs or strong scents near the face. If you see rash, cracks that don’t heal, or yellow crusts, call the office.
When Stuffiness Keeps Coming Back
If your baby sounds snorty each day, look for dry room air, a dusty fan, or smoke exposure in the home. Wash bedding often, wipe vents, and run that clean humidifier at night. If you see a pause in breathing, snoring that’s loud, or poor weight gain, bring it up at the next well visit.
Keep sessions gentle.