The safest and most effective way to remove mucus from a baby’s nose is with saline drops followed by gentle suctioning with a bulb syringe or nasal aspirator. Babies are obligate nose breathers, meaning they can only breathe through their noses except when crying. That’s why even mild congestion can make feeding, sleeping, and breathing noticeably harder for an infant.
Saline Drops and Suctioning Step by Step
Saline (saltwater) nasal drops are the starting point. You can buy pre-made infant saline drops at any pharmacy. Lay your baby on their back, tilt the head slightly, and place two to three drops in each nostril. Wait about 30 seconds to give the saline time to loosen the mucus before you begin suctioning.
To suction with a bulb syringe, squeeze the bulb first to push the air out while it’s away from the baby’s nose. Then gently place just the tip into one nostril and slowly release the bulb. The suction will draw mucus out. Squeeze the mucus onto a tissue, and repeat on the other side. If the mucus doesn’t come out on the first try, you can apply another round of saline drops and suction again.
Tube-style nasal aspirators work on the same principle but give you more control over suction strength. You place a soft tip in the baby’s nostril and use your own breath through a mouthpiece (a filter prevents any mucus from reaching you). Many parents find these easier to use than a bulb syringe, especially with a squirmy baby, because the suction is steadier and more predictable.
How Often You Can Safely Suction
Limit suctioning to no more than four times per day. Suctioning too frequently irritates the delicate lining of a baby’s nasal passages, which causes additional swelling and can actually make congestion worse. The best times to suction are right before feeding and before sleep, when clear breathing matters most.
Keeping the Bulb Syringe Clean
After every use, wash the bulb syringe in warm, soapy water. Squeeze soapy water into the bulb, shake it to loosen mucus inside, then squeeze the water out. Repeat this several times. Follow up by filling and emptying the bulb with clean water multiple times to rinse away all soap residue. A bulb syringe that isn’t thoroughly cleaned can harbor mold and bacteria inside, where you can’t see them. If you use a tube-style aspirator, replace the filter after each session and wash all removable parts.
Using a Humidifier
Adding moisture to the air helps thin mucus so it drains more easily on its own. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a cool mist humidifier rather than a warm mist vaporizer, because vaporizers pose a burn risk if a child gets too close to the steam or knocks the device over. Place the humidifier near (but not directly against) the crib, and clean it regularly to prevent mold growth in the water tank.
A steamy bathroom works as a short-term alternative. Run a hot shower with the door closed for a few minutes, then sit in the bathroom with your baby for 10 to 15 minutes. The warm, humid air can help loosen thick mucus before a suctioning session.
Feeding a Congested Baby
Congestion makes feeding difficult because babies need to breathe through their nose while they suck. You may notice your baby pulling off the breast or bottle frequently, fussing, or eating less than usual. Suctioning the nose right before a feeding session clears the airway and helps your baby eat more comfortably. Shorter, more frequent feedings can also help keep your baby hydrated even if they can’t sustain a long session.
Safe Sleep With a Stuffy Nose
It’s tempting to prop your baby up to help them breathe at night, but the AAP recommends that babies always sleep flat on their backs on a firm, even surface, with no pillows, rolled towels, or inclined inserts. Propping a baby’s head up can cause the neck to bend forward or fall to the side, which actually makes breathing harder by kinking the airway.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission has banned inclined sleepers (any product angling a baby’s head more than 10 degrees above flat) for this reason. Swings, rockers, bouncy chairs, and car seats also don’t provide the head support needed for safe sleep. If your baby falls asleep in one of these, move them to a flat sleep surface as soon as possible. The best thing you can do for nighttime congestion is suction the nose and run a humidifier, then place your baby on their back on a firm mattress.
What Not to Give Your Baby
The FDA does not recommend over-the-counter cough and cold medicines for children younger than 2 because they can cause serious, potentially life-threatening side effects. Manufacturers voluntarily label these products with a warning not to use them in children under 4. Saline drops and gentle suctioning are the only tools you need. Medicated nasal sprays designed for adults should never be used on infants.
Signs of Respiratory Distress
Most nasal congestion in babies is harmless and clears up within a week or two. But congestion can occasionally signal something more serious. Watch for these warning signs, which indicate your baby is struggling to get enough air:
- Nasal flaring: the nostrils spread wide with each breath
- Chest retractions: the skin pulls inward below the neck, under the breastbone, or between the ribs when your baby breathes in
- Grunting: a short sound with each exhale, which is the body’s attempt to keep air in the lungs
- Head bobbing: the neck muscles visibly strain and the head moves up and down with each breath
- Color changes: a bluish tint around the mouth, inside the lips, or on the fingernails, or skin that looks pale or gray
- Wheezing or stridor: a tight, whistling sound during breathing or a harsh noise when breathing in
- Unusual sleepiness or sweating: your baby seems much less alert than normal, or the head is sweaty while the skin feels cool or clammy
Any of these signs warrants a call to your pediatrician or a trip to the emergency room, especially in babies under 3 months old, who are most vulnerable to respiratory complications.