Using a nasal aspirator for the first time can feel intimidating. Where should the tip go? How do you clear mucus without hurting your baby?
We invited Catherine, a pediatric nurse practitioner and mom, to explain how Grownsy nasal aspirators work and share the reassurance she wishes every parent had before getting started.
🎥 Watch the full video with Catherine on Instagram.
1. Prepare Your Nasal Aspirator
Wash your hands and make sure the removable parts are clean, dry, and assembled according to your model’s instructions. Choose the appropriate nasal tip for your baby, as directed in the user manual.
Before you begin, check how to turn on your device and adjust its suction settings.
2. Loosen Thick Mucus if Needed
If your baby’s mucus is thick or dried, infant saline drops can help loosen it before suctioning. Follow the saline product’s directions or your pediatrician’s advice.
Keep your baby comfortably supported so you can position the aspirator gently and steadily.
3. Position the Tip at the Nostril Opening
This is the step many parents worry about most.
As Catherine explains in the video, the tip sits at the nostril opening and creates a seal to help draw mucus out. You do not need to push it deep inside your baby’s nose.
Follow the placement instructions for your specific Grownsy model, and never force the tip into the nostril.
4. Gently Suction Each Nostril
Turn on the aspirator and use the suction setting recommended in your model’s instructions. Gently clear one nostril, then repeat on the other side.
Avoid repeatedly suctioning to remove every trace of mucus. Too much suctioning can irritate your baby’s nose. Stop if you notice bleeding or irritation, and ask your pediatrician for guidance.
5. Clean the Aspirator After Use
Empty the mucus collection cup and clean the removable parts according to the user manual. Allow them to dry before reassembling. Follow your model’s instructions for cleaning the main unit; do not submerge it unless expressly permitted.
Catherine’s Reassurance for Parents
Catherine has felt the same worry while caring for her own children. Her key explanation: at-home nasal aspiration is different from the deep suctioning performed by trained healthcare professionals in a hospital.
Gentle placement and correct use matter. Watch Catherine’s video below for her explanation of tip placement, and follow your Grownsy model’s manual for the complete operating instructions.
Sources
- Original Instagram video: Catherine, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, on Nasal Aspirator Safety
- American Academy of Pediatrics: Cough & Cold Survival Kit
- Nationwide Children’s Hospital: Suctioning the Nose with a Bulb Syringe
