Nasal sprayer quickly and reliably helps babies with stuffy noses. But many parents find it difficult to choose: manual, mouth-operated or electric nasal aspirators? Read here how baby nasal aspirators use correctly and the most important pros and cons of the different models.

How does a nasal aspirator help babies with a cold?

The problem with babies with a cold: they find it difficult to breathe because they cannot yet breathe through their mouths. Children can only control this when they are about six months old.

The pediatrician McGowan explains: “For infants who only breathe through their nose, nasal congestion is particularly uncomfortable. This is also the reason why babies get restless and drink less when they have a cold.”

When the baby has a cold?

• Baby nose drops: Dangerous or an important cold helper?
• Angelica balm for babies: a miracle cure for a cold

A blocked nose is therefore much more exhausting for the dwarves than for us. Although nose drops or natural products such as angelica balsam help, Nasal sprayer are even more effective. This also makes it easy to loosen stubborn secretions.

The nasal aspirator effectively clears your baby's sniffles. Not only will breathing and food intake work better again, the nose, sinuses and ears will also be better ventilated and germs will not be able to spread as easily. This significantly reduces the risk of sinus or middle ear infections and bronchitis.

How to properly use a baby nasal aspirator?

The way nasal aspirators work is always the same: negative pressure ensures that the flowing or stuck secretion removes from your baby's nose. Use Nasal sprayer correctly, it can be done in a few seconds. Commercially available nasal aspirators can use from birth until well into childhood.

: Extra tip

Hard incrustations can soften beforehand with breast milk or saline solution suitable for babies. The mucus then dissolves much more easily and the suction is more effective and faster.

Nasal aspirator baby: the best models in the test

A good nasal aspirator for the baby definitely belongs in your first kit. But which one is the best? The choice is great. Although all Nasal sprayer work on the same principle, they vary in application, suction power and price, depending on which model you choose.

Manual nasal aspirator with pump bulb

This variant of the nasal aspirator is already available for a few euros in pharmacies or drugstores. At the end of the attachment, which you hold to your baby's nose, is a pump bulb. This operates manually. Releasing the pump creates a vacuum.

A general problem with manual nasal aspirators: The suction effect is relatively weak. They suck the secretion gently, but they can do little against deep-seated mucus. A clear minus point!

• Advantages: inexpensive, safe & gentle suction, easy to transport
• Cons: Weak suction

Mouth operated Nasal sprayer

There are two tubes on this nasal aspirator: one for your baby's nose and another that you suck on with your mouth to create suction. Incidentally, disgust unfound. A filter or a collection device ensures that boogers & Co do not get into your mouth.

In terms of value for money, mouth- operated vacuum cleaners are unbeatable. Because they work without batteries or electricity, they are of course particularly quiet. This is a great advantage when used at night.

But we understand who balks at the idea of ​​pulling the boogers out of their baby's nose with their own mouth.

• Advantages: gentle secretion suction, easy handling, easy to transport
• Cons: Some parents find the process gross

Electric Nasal sprayer: suction power is generated

The suction power generates electrically here - with batteries or with electricity. Electric nasal aspirators are particularly effective and also free baby noses from deep or stuck mucus.

The pump of the suction cups does not work silently. However, the volume is kept within limits and is generally well accepted by children.

The biggest disadvantage of these models is the price. You have to reckon with at least 50 euros for good electric nasal aspirators.

• Advantages: strong suction power, also removes deep-seated nasal secretions,
• Disadvantages: Battery operated, noise can irritate children, depending on the model, very expensive and difficult to transport

Electric Nasal sprayer are available from many well-known suppliers, such as Braun. Nasal aspirator Olaf is one of the parents' favorites.

Nasal aspirator for vacuum cleaners

It may take some getting used to, but it's effective: the nasal aspirator simply attaches to a standard vacuum cleaner, removing the stuck secretion from the baby's nose.

Don't worry, the suction power is automatically regulated on the attachment and does not have to be set on the vacuum cleaner. Due to the continuous suction and the strong suction power, this type of Nasal sprayer is particularly effective. But only if your baby likes the sound of the vacuum cleaner, of course!

These models are not particularly suitable for use at night. Neither the neighbors nor the baby will be happy about the noise of the vacuum cleaner in the middle of the night...

• Advantages: very effective, fast secretion removal, cheap to buy
• Disadvantages: experienced operation required, not suitable for traveling, some vacuum cleaner models (e.g. from Vorwerk) require an extra attachment

Can you hurt the baby with the nasal aspirator?

When used correctly, a Nasal sprayer is not dangerous to babies. It is important that you always read the operating instructions carefully in order to use the respective model correctly.

Be careful not to insert the teat too deeply into your baby's nose to avoid damaging the mucous membrane. If the irritation is severe, it may swell even more. Not all children are enthusiastic about the application. So also make sure that your child cannot injure itself on the teat when fidgeting.

With electric nasal aspirators, it is important to test whether your child reacts strongly to the hum of the motor. If your child gets scared and cries, use a manual or mouth-operated teat instead.

Conclusion: This is what matters when choosing a baby nasal aspirator

We recommend Nasal sprayer with stronger suction power. Manual teats with pump bulbs are often not enough to help against blocked nasal secretions. They don't generate the necessary vacuum.

Many parents recommend electric nasal aspirators. They help effectively and are convenient and easy to use, and depending on the model, even easy to transport.