Should I tell you a little secret before you become a first-time parent? Babies can’t blow their noses. It means it suddenly becomes your problem when your baby is sniffling, sneezing, or struggling to nurse or sleep because their nose is stuffed up. While it might sound like a minor inconvenience, but sometimes, rocking, cuddling, humidifiers, even sitting in a steamy bathroom becomes useless because that congestion just won't quit. In such a situation, cleaning a newborn nose becomes such a task. And now you're left asking the question most parents eventually Google at 2 AM: "How to clean an infant’s nose safely?"

But don’t worry! Before that time arrives, let's learn the best infant nose cleaner tips to save you lots of trouble and time. 

What causes it?

Before moving towards the treatments or the “how to?” part, you must know the reason behind the congestion because it is not only about a stuffy nose but your baby’s comfort. Here are the causes that make those cute, adorable noses stuffed up. 

• Especially in colder months when heaters run constantly, the air can dry out your baby’s nasal passages, leading to congestion.

• Dust, pet dander, strong perfumes, or even cleaning products can irritate your baby’s nose.

• Common colds and flu are one of the most common reasons for congestion. When babies catch these viruses, their noses can either get runny or blocked. 

• Newborns and young babies have tiny nasal passages, so even a small amount of mucus or swelling can cause noticeable congestion.

• Some babies may get a bit of milk or formula in their nose after feeding, which can cause a temporary blockage.

How to clean your baby’s nose?

Okay, now let’s get into the how-to. It might seem a little intimidating at first (especially if your baby hates being messed with), but once you know the right tools and steps, it gets a lot easier—and faster.

Here are safe and pediatrician-approved methods:

• Saline Drops or Spray should be your best friend if you have a newborn at home. Saline loosens the thick mucus that is easy to remove and clears the blockage. 

• Once the saline has done its job, you’ll want to remove the loosened mucus. You can use infant nose cleaner like a Bulb Syringe or Nasal Aspirator is the best idea to remove it from the nose. 

• Dry indoor air can worsen nasal stuffiness. Running a cool-mist humidifier in your baby’s room—especially at night—adds moisture to the air and helps keep nasal passages from drying out.

While these are very baby-friendly tips for cleaning newborn noses, make sure not to overdo them. Don’t use infant nose cleaner more than twice a day unless advised otherwise. It is because they can harm the baby's skin, and we don’t want that. If your baby resists and cries during nose cleaning (which is normal), try singing to them or distracting them with a toy. 

Remember, every parent learns by doing. So, if you’ve had a few awkward attempts or gotten baby snot on your shirt, you’re in good company.