How to Clear Baby's Nose

A stuffy nose can mean one cranky baby -- especially since newborns know how to breathe only through their little nostrils at first.

Here are some steps to relieve your baby's discomfort, stat.

Buy saline nasal spray. This is the only safe nasal spray to use with babies, infants, and toddlers. Lay the baby down on his back and, if possible, slightly tilt his head back (don't force it, though). Then spray 2 to 3 drops of saline spray into each nostril. Don't worry if baby sneezes some of it out -- it still made its way into the nasal passage. If any spray comes out of the nose, wipe it away gently with a tissue.

Use a bulb syringe. This is also called a nasal aspirator. Be sure to buy one specially made for baby's tiny nostrils. Once again, lay baby down on his back. Squeeze the bulb to get all of the air out, and, while still squeezing, gently insert the tip into baby's nostril (be sure not to stick it too far up). Then release the pressure, take it out, and squeeze the mucus out of the bulb onto a tissue. Repeat in the other nostril.

Steam up the bathroom. Run a hot shower for a few minutes; when the bathroom is steamy, sit in the room with Baby for a bit. This will help loosen the mucus in the nostrils.

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