How To Help Your Baby or Toddler Clear Their Stuffy Nose

How to help a toddler blow their nose

In young toddlers, a nasal aspirator or Swedish snot sucker is still your best bet for removing excess mucus, Dr. Sniderman says. But have you ever tried to get a toddler to sit still, let alone sit still for mucus extraction? With a little coaching, you can help your older toddler get the hang of blowing their own nose.

“Just hold a tissue over your child’s nose and tell them to close their mouth and pretend to blow out birthday candles or blow bubbles with their nose,” she says. It might take a few tries for your child to understand the concept, so keep practicing. And don’t despair if they don’t catch on right away — it takes some kids longer to learn.

“Some 2-year-olds can blow their nose, but some kids are much older before they can do it,” Dr. Sniderman says. “It’s kind of a coordination thing — they have to be able to close their mouth and blow out their nose.”

Use saline drops and humidifiers to thin out mucus

Regardless of your child’s age, if mucus is too thick to remove, Dr. Sniderman suggests using a few drops of over-the-counter saline nasal spray to help thin it out.

A humidifier can also help make mucus removal easier.

Don’t forget to wash up

Whether you’re still at the snot-sucker stage or your child is learning to blow their own nose, remember to wash your hands afterwards (and remind your child to wash theirs, too) — and frequently, in general.

Washing your hands is the best way to keep illness from spreading, Dr. Sniderman says.

And if your baby or toddler is still experiencing congestion, consult with your pediatrician for further guidance.

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