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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

.....to think that sucking the snot out of your LOs blocked nose is not a good idea.....

68 replies

LoveBeingAMummyKissingSanta · 06/12/2008 00:58

Was searching last night for some help as LO has a terrible cold and can't stop thinking about the posts about mums actually sucking the snot from their lo's noses. I'm sure this must be dangerous or AIBU.

And no I am not a troll.

OP posts:
nappyaddict · 06/12/2008 00:59

why would it be dangerous. I use a sucker toy thing though. I don't actually suck it out myself.

dinny · 06/12/2008 01:00

why is it dangerous? I've done this when my two were babies

TLESinChristmasStockings · 06/12/2008 01:03

I did this with ds1 but ds2 just has a constant running nose lol

chopchopbusybusy · 06/12/2008 01:06

Don't know about dangerous - but boaktastic! My dds have certainly survived the common cold without my intervention

MadamDeathstarOverBethlehem · 06/12/2008 01:07

I have heard of people doing this. It is probably no worse than using the sucker things. It might be dangerous if their mouth was covered up so you were pulling a vacuum on their lungs, but that would be unlikely.

Personally I couldn't because it would make me vomit.

Sazisi · 06/12/2008 01:19

I remember people having to do it to babies when I was a kid; I'd do it if I had to for sure. We have a Couche Bebe thingy for doing it on our dc so no need to do it orally

terramum · 06/12/2008 01:36

Not dangerous at all. Easiest way to clear noses so they can feed IMO.

chloemegjess · 06/12/2008 01:48

I think the OP meant with the sucker thingy? Not actually suck out with their mouth!

I didnt like the idea of them, but did get tempted at one point when dd was tiny and had a bad cold.

TheInvisibleManDidItWithSanta · 06/12/2008 01:49

I can see the sense in this, but I'm afraid I'm couldn't do it either. Eww.

CuddlyUnderTheMistletoe · 06/12/2008 02:06

I used a teaspoon handle to drop the tiniest drop of cooled boiled water into ds' nose when he was a breast feeding baby. It worked a treat but really just the tiniest drop and then leave it to work it's magic, just enough to tickle the inside of his nostril and make him sneeze. Cleared the tubes to perfection.

Note: I am not recommending water torture!

DesperatelySeekingSanity · 06/12/2008 08:40

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

TheInvisibleManDidItWithSanta · 06/12/2008 08:43

maybe I have mis-understood this. I assumed mothers are physically sucking the snot from their babies noses...

a suction machine is a whoe different thing!

rubyslippersisappearinginpanto · 06/12/2008 08:44

there is something intensely satisfying about snot sucking

there is nothing dangerous about it and for DS who had a permanent cold when he was little it was very helpful

MrsSeanBean · 06/12/2008 08:48

Won't kill you. Have you never picked and eaten?

llareggub · 06/12/2008 08:49

I'm not sure why a suction machine is different.

I sucked the mucus from DS's nose when he was very tiny and unable to feed. What on earth was wrong with that?

MrsSnape · 06/12/2008 09:18

gross gross gross. Beyond belief that anyone could actually do this.

pluckyyuletideducky · 06/12/2008 09:31

I use a suction thingy - one end on baby's nose, one end in my mouth, filter in the middle. No problem.

I don't really understand why the idea of getting some baby snot in one's mouth is so gross though. Ds1 (3) launches on me several times a day for sloppy kisses before I've had chance to wipe his constant river of snot!

Original poster
LoveBeingAMummyKissingSanta · 06/12/2008 10:21

I think the OP meant with the sucker thingy? Not actually suck out with their mouth! I didnt like the idea of them, but did get tempted at one point when dd was tiny and had a bad cold.

No I was referring to using their mouth.

Just don't understand how this could not be dangerous to be honest. Their lungs are so small. Was hoping someone could tell me the offical medical line on this one.

OP posts:
Anna8888 · 06/12/2008 10:22

How revolting.

Putting them in a hot steamy bath to relieve the ENT system is much the easiest way to clear it all out.

Mamazontopofsanta · 06/12/2008 10:22

i just had a mini puke just reading the title

SeamusTheElf · 06/12/2008 10:26

I do anything/everything for my babies - I even kissed DS the other day just as he was doing a sicky burp and ended up with bits of breastmilk on my mouth, but I really do not think I could suck boogers out! I just use my little finger nail gently.

mrsruffallo · 06/12/2008 10:31

Sucking the snot from your baby's nostrils is the most effective way to unblock the nose.

We did it with both children when they were babies.
I can't think why anyone would consider it dangerous

WewishyouaBUMPERLICIOUS · 06/12/2008 10:33

My mum is appalled that I have done this, but it's that of baby doesn't feed or sleep properly. I once read somewhere, I think on here, that when you have a child they become and extension of you and their excretions just an extension of your excretions. Tis very true, but then I'm not particularly squeamish about that sort or thing.

mrsruffallo · 06/12/2008 10:34

You just suck gently and the snot pops out.

J2O · 06/12/2008 10:38

you can get snot suckers things, they have a filter so it doesn't go in your mouth, it is gross, but it helps them feed and breathe, although dd2 wont stay still for me to do it!