Simple steps to suction your child
Suctioning 101
You may need to suction your child’s nose to remove mucus. If your child is sick, you’ll know you need to suction if they are coughing frequently, they make choking or gurgling noises, or if an infant has trouble sucking or feeding.
WHO?
Newborns (because they are nose breathers and have small nasal passages) up until he or she can blow their own nose.
WHY?
To help your child breathe better and manage secretions
WHEN?
If your child has difficulty:
EATING
SLEEPING
BREATHING
*use only when needed to prevent inflammation and an increase in secretions*
HOW?
1. Lay the child on his or her back or hold the child in a comfortable position
2. Secure his or her arms with a swaddle or use another set of hands to help
3. Use saline drops to loosen secretions (one nostril at a time)
4. Use the suction of choice to clear the nasal passage
5. Repeat on the other side *you may need to repeat more than once on each side if unable to clear the nasal passage of secretions the first time*
WHAT?
Put a couple drops of saline in one nostril.
Squeeze the air out of the bulb-occlude (push shut) opposite nostril.
Gently place the tip of the bulb syringe in the nostril until resistance is met.
Slowly release the bulb to let the air back in while removing the bulb syringe.
Squeeze the mucus out of the bulb onto a tissue.
Repeat on the opposite side.
Make sure the filter is in place
Put a couple drops of saline in one nostril
Put the tube at the base of the child's nostril, creating a seal.
Place the red mouthpiece in your mouth and apply gentle suction.
Repeat on the opposite side.
Make sure the filter is in place
Put a couple drops of saline in one nostril
Put the tip of the syringe in the baby's nostril
Place the orange mouthpiece in your mouth and apply gentle suction
Repeat on the opposite side
The suction canister can separate from the tubing and act as a bulb syringe. It's like having a bulb syringe & the NoseFrida in one!
For more in-depth information and video trainings on common illnesses and injuries in children, check out my online course