Both in newborns and in children (who generally, at least up to 3 years of age, are unable to blow their nose by themselves), keeping the nose as clean and free from mucus as possible is essential: not only for prevention, doing so guarantees a lower frequency of colds and other respiratory tract diseases, but also because it represents the first and main therapy to relieve ailments when they appear.
Furthermore, the younger the child, the more unpleasant the discomfort due to nasal obstruction is likely to be: newborns, in fact, breathe exclusively through the nasal passages, not through the mouth. It is therefore easy to imagine their discomfort, especially during feedings and bedtime (and a newborn should sleep a lot, even most of the day, in the early stages).
The remedy (practical to do at home, even if children may not like it very much) consists in carrying out nasal washings with specific solutions and products: in this way the mucus is softened, facilitating its subsequent aspiration, or it is removed directly, the phlegm is eliminated and the mucous membranes are cleaned of any allergens, viruses and bacteria.
WHAT TO USE?
The products to be used are different according to the needs: physiological solution (or saline), thermal waters, Sirmione water or sterilized sea water, available in convenient single-dose vials or in larger spray dispensers. Alternatively, the homemade saline solution (90% boiled, then sterilized, and 10% salt) is always valid, to be instilled into the nostrils (5-10 ml on each side) with a syringe without a needle.
As for the saline solutions on the market, there are essentially two types:
■ isotonic solutions (9 g/l): they are used for prevention and daily cleansing, as they help remove excess mucus and prevent the spread of infections. They have the same salt concentration as the nasal cells;
■ hypertonic solutions (22 g/l): useful for decongesting stuffy noses and calming colds. The concentration of salts is higher than that of the nasal cells.
HOW ARE NASAL WASHES DONE?
The operation itself is simple (the only obstacle may be the poor cooperation of the child, who especially as he grows up may not like washing and become agitated).
■ Lay the baby on his back on the changing table and tilt his head to one side (eg to the right).
■ Insert the tip of the vial, spray or syringe into the left nostril and spray the liquid gently but firmly; will come out of the opposite nostril.
■ Repeat the operation on the other side.
■ Blow your baby's nose or, if he is very small, use a nasal aspirator to remove any mucus that has not been washed out. Simply screw a disposable nozzle onto the top of the aspirator, insert the tip into baby's nostril and aspirate; subsequently, the spout must be thrown away and the aspirator washed and dried thoroughly.
TO REMEMBER
■ Nasal washes are an excellent method of cleansing, even daily.
■ Making them a game can make them seem less unappealing to the child.
■ The solution should always be instilled at room temperature.
■ Better to choose a time away from meals.
■ If necessary, you can repeat the operation several times a day.
■ Nasal washes have no contraindications.
Taken from Born Mamam | by Matthias Lerner
