Congestion is a common problem experienced by babies and they are not born knowing how to blow their nose! That’s why we need the best baby nasal aspirator to clear out the mucous and bring our babies much-needed comfort and relief. That means happier moods and better sleep for them and us.
Whether you are a brand new parent or an old hand at raising babies, you are probably always looking for ways to make life better for your sweet children. That’s why we are pleased to run down a selection of the best rated baby nasal aspirators on the market today.
From a new twist on the old standard bulb aspirator to clever technology that banishes congestion in seconds, you are sure to find just the tool for any snot-related job your children throw at you.
Basic Types of Nasal Aspirator
However you achieve it, a comfy nose is a happy nose. You just need to decide if you prefer an old classic or a clever new product.
Bulb syringes
Most new parents are sent home from the hospital with a basic nasal bulb syringe. These old standards are usually blue and are constructed of one piece of rubber with a hollow bulb at one end and a narrow tip at the other.
To use, simply squeeze down on the bulb to expel the air inside it, place the tip inside your baby’s nostril, and release the compression. This causes a vacuum that sucks mucous out and into the bulb.
The downside of these basic tools is that cleaning can be quite difficult. They are therefore prone to mold growth on the inside. You also can’t see through the blue rubber to determine how much mucous you’ve removed.
The bulb syringes on our list have addressed these issues with a couple of handy new features.
Mouth suction aspirators
Most users of this type of aspirator confess to being totally grossed out by the concept before they used it. With these products, you place a small plastic nozzle over (not in) your child’s nostril. This tip is attached to a tube that ends with a mouthpiece. You then suck through the mouthpiece to create the suction that pulls mucous from baby’s nose.
So yeah, it sounds horrifying. But these aspirators come with disposable filters that keep the snot from getting anywhere near your mouth. The tubing is clear so that you can see what is coming out of baby’s nose, and each of the pieces of the product can be taken apart and thoroughly washed when you’re done.
The downside is that you need to use your own suction power to get the job done, which can be tiring. You will also need to regularly buy replacement filters in order to use the aspirator in a safe and hygienic manner.
Electric aspirators
Welcome to the future. There are now hand-held electric aspirators that often feature multiple levels of suction and come with several differently-sized nozzle tips. They may be powered by disposable batteries or rechargeable ones.
For ease of use and flexibility, these products really can’t be beat. However, some babies are bothered by the noise they make and they do cost more than a standard bulb syringe. If you buy one that uses batteries, you’ll also need to keep a supply of those on hand so that you don’t run out at the worst time.
Beyond the Basic
These three types of nasal aspirator make up most of the market on this tool, but there are a few unusual options out there, too. We will also show you a nasal scoop that works wonders on dry and sticky boogers.
Tips for Success
The basic mechanism of nasal aspirators is simple – sucking snot. But there are a few pointers we can give you to help get the job done efficiently without stressing out your baby too much.
Use saline first
Most aspirator manufacturers recommend using a few drops of a gentle saline solution in your baby’s nose before you engage the aspirator. This softens and loosens mucous so that it flows out more easily. That means you will ultimately need lighter suction and less time to get the job done.
Most pharmacies sell saline solution, but you can also make it at home by dissolving about ¼ teaspoon of salt in 8 ounces of warm water. Since your homemade solution won’t contain any preservatives, it’s healthiest to make a fresh batch each day and store it in a covered glass container.
Create a seal
When you place the tip of your nasal aspirator into your baby’s nostril, you don’t want to push up too far. You do, however, want a close connection between the nostril and the tip. This helps to create a vacuum that allows for better suction.
Don’t block your child’s other nostril during the suction process, and be sure that he or she can still breathe comfortably through their mouth.
Practice moderation
It sometimes seems that a case of congestion can go on and on, but overuse of any kind of nasal aspirator can irritate baby’s nasal passages and cause even more discomfort. When your baby resists the process, they are a lot more likely to get poked or scraped, too. (Wouldn’t it be great if we could explain to them how important it is to lay still?)
The bottom line is that you might have to get creative about how you approach your baby with the aspirator. The calmer you can keep him or her, the more often you can suction without causing additional irritation.
Note that extended use of saline spray can also dry out the inside of baby’s nose. Try not to use it for more than 4 days straight. If your child has an ongoing condition, reserve the use of saline for times when the mucous is especially dry, such as first thing in the morning or after naps.
Clean after every use
We don’t need to tell you that mucous is full of bacteria and germs. It’s ideal to at least rinse out your aspirator after use and let it dry thoroughly before using it again. Once a day, take apart the aspirator and wash all removable pieces with soap and water. Some models/parts are dishwasher safe, while others will need to be hand washed.
It’s time to shop! Let’s look at all the methods available to you for sucking snot from a child’s nose. Who knew there were so many options?
Best Baby Nasal Aspirator on the Market Reviews
Now let’s dig deeper (ha ha) into the innovative nasal aspirators on our list.
1 Baby Nasal Aspirator NoseFrida the Snotsucker
Nasal aspirators are very helpful little tools, but one of the challenges is keeping them clean. They are made to suck snot, after all. This product deals with that problem by utilizing disposable filters.
The NoseFrida creates a comfortable seal around your baby’s nostril and then you gently suck through a long tube to extract the blockage. (First spray a little bit of saline solution in your baby’s nose to soften dried mucous.)
It sounds a gross, but remember that the snot is captured by the filter and does not come anywhere near your mouth. Clean up is easy. The filter is discarded while the blue nasal tube, red mouthpiece, and filter cap are dishwasher safe.
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2 oogiebear - The Safe Baby Nasal Booger and Ear Cleaner
This handy device is not technically a nasal aspirator, but it serves the same purpose. The oogiebear is a double-sided tool with a scoop end to retrieve dried boogers and a looped end for sticky boogers. It takes seconds to use.
The product is designed with safety in mind, featuring a larger head that prevents it from going too far into baby’s nose. The head is also bear-shaped – that’s just for fun. Soft rubber and plastic construction makes it comfortable for parents to hold and gentle enough to protect baby’s sensitive skin.
This product is free of BPA, latex, and PVC. It is classified by the FDA as a medical device. Wash oogiebear in warm water with mild detergent.
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3 OCCObaby Baby Nasal Aspirator
If you hate the idea of using your own suction power to clear your baby’s clogged nose, take a look at this beauty. It is a battery-powered booger-sucker, and what’s more, it comes with three differently sized silicone tips so that it grows with your child.
For best results, spray a little bit of saline solution into baby’s nose, wait one minute, and then push the appropriately sized tip into each of baby’s nostrils in turn so that a seal is created. When you’re finished, simply open the mucous cup and clean it with warm soapy water.
This unit adheres to the highest safety standards and has been medically tested. It comes with a 90-day money back guarantee and an extended warranty so that you can buy with confidence. You also get a bonus manual nasal aspirator, just in case.
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4 WatoIt Baby Nasal Aspirator - Electric Nose Suction for Baby
The WatoIt is another electric nasal aspirator, but this one comes with an LCD display screen that reveals the suction level and battery power. It also plays music to soothe nervous babies! How is that for better living through technology?
This aspirator has two reusable silicone tips, one that’s gourd-shaped and another that’s funnel-shaped. There are three levels of suction to choose from based on your baby’s level of congestion.
This device is best used after applying some saline spray to the inside of your baby’s nose. It comes with a convenient storage case and a pair of tweezers for removing dried boogers.
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5 Pei Mei Baby Nasal Aspirator - Anti-backflow Nose Vacuum Cleaner
Pei Mei makes an electric nasal aspirator that’s rechargeable, thereby avoiding the hassle of buying replacement batteries. This model comes with two silicone nozzles of different sizes. It has five speeds of operation that are controlled with one button.
The ergonomic design fits comfortably in your palm and works quietly so as not to stress your baby too much. You will be reassured that this aspirator has an anti-reflux design to keep mucous from oozing back out.
When it’s time to clean it, simply open the liquid storage box and rinse it with warm water and gentle soap. The included storage box is handy for keeping everything together when the aspirator is not in use.
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6 Little Mary's - Snotsucker Baby Nasal Aspirator
From Little Mary’s comes an aspirator in the same vein as the NoseFrida. With this product, you use your own suction power to remove mucous from baby’s nasal passages. One of the benefits of this type of aspirator is that all of the pieces are washable, unlike electric models with a motor that needs to be kept dry.
Because the Snotsucker creates a seal on the outside of your baby’s nostril, it allows for the removal of mucous with only gentle suction. Little Mary’s Snotsucker comes with 24 disposable filters that keep mucous from reaching your mouth.
The nasal tip, red mouthpiece, and filter cap are all safe to wash on the top rack of the dishwasher. The suction tube, on the other hand, is better cleaned with a couple of drops of isopropyl alcohol.
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7 Little Remedies Stuffy Nose Kit | Saline Spray/Drops & Aspirator
This Little Remedies aspirator is made in the classic bulb-style with a few interesting upgrades. The tip is flexible and angled slightly for ease of use. Even better, it is clear so that you can see if your efforts are paying off. The tip is removable for cleaning, which can be a challenge with traditional bulb-style aspirators.
And because all aspirators work better when you spray a little bit of saline in baby’s nose before beginning, this one comes with a bottle of saline drops included. The saline is formulated to moisturize enflamed nasal passages without medicine, dyes, or parabens.
This product is safe to use on newborns and thoughtfully sized for one-handed use. Just make sure you wait 10-15 seconds after applying saline solution for mucous to loosen up.
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8 BABY-VAC Nasal Aspirator
Designed in Hungary, this aspirator uses your household vacuum to provide the necessary suction. But before you get concerned about sucking out your child’s brain along with the mucous, there is a special component in the mucous chamber that reduces the suction to a much gentler level.
The various pieces of the Baby-Vac are all made from clear hospital-grade plastic that is free of BPA, Phthalate, and lead. Use it with any vacuum cleaner that has a hose sized between 0.90 inches to 1.22 inches in diameter.
This product comes with a special cleaning brush to assist in removing dried mucous from inside the works. Its packaging is reusable but the box is rather thin cardboard and will wear out after repeated uses. We recommend using a zippable plastic bag for storage after the box is discarded to keep all the pieces together.
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9 Innovo Hospital Grade Silicone Twister Bulb Baby Nasal Aspirator
Here is a classic bulb aspirator with a twist, literally. One of the downsides of bulb aspirators is that they are challenging to clean thoroughly and therefore prone to mold. This version has a twist apart bulb so that you can easily clean all parts of it.
The bulb is translucent so that you can tell that it’s working. One or two suctions of each nostril should do the trick, and then you can rinse the separated parts of the aspirator and throw them in the dishwasher.
Made of soft hospital grade silicone, this product is hypoallergenic and gentle enough to use with a newborn. It also travels beautifully in a diaper bag, tucked inside its own included storage tote.
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10 Nosiboo Pro Nasal Aspirator
Nosiboo is another electric aspirator, but this one plugs into the wall. You won’t need to have batteries or recharge it when it runs down. The design is simple and attractive, but more than that, it’s super easy to use and clean afterwards. Only the head, located at the end of a clear tube, needs to be removed and rinsed with soapy water.
With the help of ENTs, the Nosiboo was designed to maintain a safe level of suction that won’t harm your child. But it is also highly customizable. You have multiple suction levels to choose from in order to match the age of the child and the thickness of the mucous.
All of the materials are certified safe for use by children and adults alike. Though the Nosiboo does make some operating noise, it is restricted to between 55–62 dB, or about the level of a portable fan.
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Conclusion
It’s hard to keep a smile on a baby’s face when he or she is congested, but these 10 choices for the best baby nasal aspirator sure can help. And when your baby breathes better, you can keep your smile, too. Each model has its pluses and minuses, so we recommend that if you choose one of the high tech electric models, you also purchase a very inexpensive bulb-style aspirator to use in a pinch or toss in your diaper bag.
But whatever way you go, a nasal aspirator for stuffy babies is a real sanity-saver. Until they can blow their own noses, our babies count on us to help them feel better – even if they hate it in the moment. Best of luck to you, parents! You’ll breathe easier when your baby does.