Snot Hacks: Tips When Your Kid Can’t Blow Their Nose

The world would be a better place if colds didn’t arrive years before the skill of nose blowing but, sadly, that’s not the case for most children.

I have two kids. I explained the concept of blowing his nose to one of my sons, and he blew his nose the first time I held a tissue to his face. My other son took years to fully grasp it, but I don’t blame him one bit. 

It’s really not an easy skill when you think about it.

They are often too young to fully understand instructions – it turns out that me saying, “blow!” doesn’t always help. You need body awareness, to control airflow through your nasal passages effectively. The sensations associated with blowing your nose can be overwhelming. You need motor planning to coordinate the actions required for nose-blowing, and if you are accustomed to sniffing you might not be keen to deal with snot differently. Frankly, it's amazing that any of us can do it.

So if you’re in the limbo of having a congested kid before the skill of nose blowing has kicked in, here are some tools and tips to help with snot management when you’re child is pre-noseblowing.

Soft Tissues and Wipes

Kids have sensitive skin, so spring for the super soft tissue or bamboo wipes if you’re going to be wiping their nose a lot. I also found wiping their nose in the bath was a good time to tackle a stuffy nose because everything is already loosened up.

Aspirator

These come in all shapes and forms and do an unbelievable job of hosing out snot. There are bulb syringes, manual snot suckers that you operate with your mouth (they aren’t as gross as they seem) and nasal aspirators. 

I’m a fan of the Navage Baby aspirator (see my quick demo below) because its suction mechanism mimics the natural action of inhalation, and it’s incredibly well-made. It comes with washable components and a clear, visual suction gauge so you can monitor the amount of suction being applied, but I think my favorite part is that, unlike other devices, it lights up and plays music. This might not be a big deal for a baby, but it’s a huge deal for a toddler who is going to balk at anything mechanical going up their nose. Never underestimate the will of a congested toddler. (Oh, comes in a great case too.)

Saline

Saline drops can help thin mucus and relieve nasal congestion. You want to use saline, which is a saltwater mixture, because straight up water will sting like all get out – like pool water up the nose. If you apply saline drops before bedtime, your child will (hopefully) breathe easier while sleeping.

Inhaler

Shockingly many kids aren’t too keen about having saline dropped in their noses, so I love this micro-mist inhaler. It’s great for moisturizing airways, helping to relieve congestion and upper respiratory symptoms with a stream of sterile saline micro-mist. Plus, you can use it as often as needed, with or without the mask. Pediatricians actually recommend it as a safe and drug-free option for kids of all ages. 

Humidifier

Running a cool-mist humidifier in your child’s room can help moisten the air and ease nasal congestion. Just make sure you don’t run it so long that you grow a science experiment in their room like I did. I wish I were kidding. 

Hydration

Try to loosen everything up from the inside out and ensure your child drinks plenty of fluids. Water, popsicles, broth based soups, etc. can help thin mucus.

Steam Inhalation

Sitting in a steamy bathroom (like a shower or bath) for a few minutes can help loosen mucus and ease congestion. If they are old enough to have something frozen, like a popsicle or something in a mesh feeder, I used to give my kids one and then stick them in a bath or shower. There is something about the hot-cold combo that helped with congestion, but I’m not sure why. I’ll let a science person weigh in here. 

Elevation

Elevate your older child’s head while they sleep by placing an extra pillow to help them breathe easier. Keep in mind this is a tip for kids over 2. Anything under that age increases the risks of suffocation, falls, etc. so keep that on your radar.

Is it Safe to blow in a baby’s mouth to clear a congested nose?

In short, probably not even though some people swear by this DIY method to unblock a baby's nose. 

This home remedy known as the "mother's kiss" involves sealing one nostril and gently blowing into the baby’s mouth to help clear a blocked nostril. However, pediatricians suggest using caution with this technique due to the risk of spreading germs, particularly if either the caregiver or the baby is unwell. While the risk of lung damage is low, improper application remains a concern. While this method may work in some cases, most experts suggest using safer alternatives.

When should I take a stuffy-nosed child to a doctor?

A doctor's visit for a stuffy or runny nose isn't usually necessary unless the congestion persists for more than two weeks or is accompanied by concerning symptoms such as difficulty breathing, severe cough, lack of appetite, extreme sleepiness, or fever. 

Kids usually don’t care if they have a snotty nose, and while it may be visually unappealing to adults, allowing the mucus to clear naturally is perfectly acceptable if the child shows no signs of distress.

At what age should a child be able to blow their own nose?

Some kids are developmentally ready to learn to blow their own nose at age 2, and some don't get the hang of it until 7 or 8. When your child is ready to learn will depend largely on their willingness to try.

The learning curve is different for each child, but you can use a few methods to teach your child how to blow out through their nose.

Fun Techniques for Teaching Nose Blowing

• Dandelion Seeds: Blow dandelion seeds together to illustrate how air moves through their nose and disperses.
• Feather Blowing: Take turns blowing a feather across a table, practicing using one nostril at a time to encourage controlled blowing.
• Birthday Celebration: Use playful language, pretending you're blowing out birthday candles with your nose, to make the experience fun and imaginative.

Make It Engaging

• Animal Rescue: Create a story where animals are stuck in their nose, like saying, "Let's get the hippos out of your nose!" This can captivate their attention.
• Friendly Competition: Make it a game where they try to blow harder than you, fostering a competitive spirit around the activity.
• Fun Noises: Encourage silly noises, such as snorting like a bull or imitating superheroes, to maintain their interest and humor.

Visual and Tangible Learning

• Cotton Ball Race: Teach them to blow by moving a cotton ball across a table and then into a tissue. Make it a fun challenge!
• Foggy Mirror: Use a mirror to demonstrate the physics of blowing; cheer for them when they create enough fog to see the effect.
• Celebrate Successes: Acknowledge their attempts and successes, reinforcing the act of blowing their nose. It ain't easy!

Practice the Technique Together

• Model Blowing: Show them how to blow into a tissue; lightly covering their mouth can help guide them through the process.
• Physical Cues: Use your fingers under their nose as a gentle reminder to practice blowing.

Surviving Snot!

Navigating the world of congestion management without the nose-blowing skills can be a challenge for both parents and kids. It’s a journey that requires a bit of creativity, patience, and understanding. Fortunately, there are plenty of tools and tips available to help you manage snotty situations while their nose-blowing abilities develop.

Keep in mind, every child is different, and what works for one might not work for another, so don’t sweat it too much.

Above all, stay positive and keep the mood light. Soon enough, your child will master the art of nose blowing, and you’ll graduate to showing them how to put used tissue in the trash. My kids are now in their teens, and we’re still not there yet, so don’t hold your breath. (Like what I did there?)

Also check out: Why Can't Babies Have Honey?