Watching a two-month-old struggle with nasal congestion can be heartbreaking. Their tiny nostrils are full of mucus they don’t know how to blow out. And those little bulb-shaped snot suckers they give you at the hospital? Hard to clean, hard to use. That’s why thousands of moms swear by the Fridababy NoseFrida Snotsucker Nasal Aspirator. Doctor invented and recommended, the Fridababy NoseFrida is a natural, hygienic baby booger buster. It's totally safe (for parents and baby), so you can say "see you later" to snotty noses.

Fridababy NoseFrida Snotsucker Nasal Aspirator

During the first few months of life, infants are "obligate nose breathers." This means that they can only breathe through their noses. The only time newborns breathe through their mouths is when they are crying. If their nasal passages are swollen or full of mucus, they’re unable to breathe well. This, in turn, affects their ability to sleep, eat, and drink comfortably. And as most parents well know, a tired, hungry baby is pretty cranky.

If your baby is suffering from a snotty, stuffy nose that’s making it difficult for them to sleep or eat, it may be time to break out the NoseFrida nasal aspirator. Here’s how to use it.

Setting Up the NoseFrida

1. Insert a fresh, new filter into the snot straw. Avoid re-using filters.
2. Link all the pieces together. The snot straw will “click” into position when connected correctly

FridaBaby Baby Nasal Aspirator 20 Hygiene Filters

Using the NoseFrida

1. Position your baby. 

Lay your little one down on their back and keep them in a secure position. If possible, have your partner or another helper hold your baby's arms, torso, and head still. You could also have your partner hold the baby upright in their lap and wrap their hand around the baby's arms and torso while holding the forehead steady. Have the baby facing the suctioning parent. Keeping the baby still in this way will help prevent injury to both of you.  

2. Use nasal spray. 

Squirt a few drops of nasal saline into the child’s nose and wait a few seconds. The nasal saline will begin to loosen thick, dried mucus and can help shrink inflamed nasal tissues.

FridaBaby Saline Snot Spray, 0.67 Oz.

3. Position the device. 

Place the tip of the snot straw at the entry tip of your baby’s nostril. You don’t need to insert the device. It simply needs to create a seal with the opening of their nose so that when suction is applied, a vacuum will be created to pull the mucus out.

4. Put the red mouthpiece into your mouth and gently suck. 

This is mostly a mental hurdle for parents. The filter barrier makes it impossible for you to suck any snot into your own mouth. In addition, the disposable filters are clinically proven to prevent the transfer of mucus or bacterial germs to the snot sucker when clearing stuffy noses. Repeat with the second nostril.

You’ll see and hear lots of yucky mucous come out of your baby’s nose. It’s grossly, yet satisfyingly successful. Want to see a video demonstration? Watch this video:

Cleaning the NoseFrida

If you’re worn out from caring for a cranky, stuffy-nosed baby, you may want to just toss this device to the side after using it and move on with other tasks. But it’s not recommended. Sanitizing all components of the NoseFrida as instructed is important to prevent recurring infection. (It’s also much simpler to clean when the mucus is fresh.)

1. Disassemble the NoseFrida completely.
2. Toss the used filter into the trash.
3. Clean all components – mouthpiece, nose hose, nostril cover – with hot, soap water. Clean the hose with a few drops of rubbing alcohol.
4. Dry all pieces thoroughly.
5. Insert a new hygiene filter and reconnect the parts so that you’re ready for the next use.

Pro Tips 

Your baby may cry a little.

When performed as directed, nasal aspiration is extremely gentle and not painful. That said, it’s likely a new and unexpected sensation for your baby so it’s normal to anticipate a bit of crying.

Use a clean filter each time you use the device. 

Understand that while the disposable filters are clinically proven to prevent the transfer of mucus or bacterial germs to the snot sucker, research has not evaluated their effectiveness on viral particles (which are smaller). That said, as a caregiver, you’re frequently exposed to your child’s tears, sneezes, coughs, and saliva while caring for your little one. This alone is typically sufficient to cause viral transmission to the caregiver, regardless of whether you’re also sucking out snot. Wash your hands frequently when caring for a sick baby to minimize germ transmission where possible.

Avoid overuse. 

Nasal aspirators can sometimes irritate the delicate tissue inside the nose and worsen symptoms. Nationwide Children's Hospital recommends restricting snot-suctioning in general to four times a day. 

Monitor symptoms.

Keep an eye on your little one’s condition. If you’re depending on the NoseFrida for a long period of time, it could be an indication that a more severe infection is brewing. Contact your pediatrician or seek medical care if your baby is having difficulty breathing or eating or doesn’t seem to be improving after nasal aspiration.

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