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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:
Original poster
LoveBeingAMummyKissingSanta · 06/12/2008 10:39

Mrsruffallo I can't think why anyone would consider it dangerous

I just feel that to tell people to suck it out of their nose without any other direction is dangerous. If it is done incorrectly of course it can be dangerous their lungs are so small.

I really don't consider it to be that gross tbh just concerned.

OP posts:
mrsruffallo · 06/12/2008 10:46

Do you really think people need instructions?

Original poster
LoveBeingAMummyKissingSanta · 06/12/2008 10:52

Yes I do. Do you really think that there is no danger what so ever? An adults lung capacity is so much more than a babies.

OP posts:
Original poster
LoveBeingAMummyKissingSanta · 06/12/2008 10:54

The snot sucker things you can buy have a limit on how much they can suck whereas when its done by the mum its up to her to limit.

OP posts:
ILikeToHoHoHo · 06/12/2008 10:56

Saline drops up the nose work a treat for unblocking a nose as does dunking them when they are in the bath.

I find snot harvesting very satisfying

mrsruffallo · 06/12/2008 10:58

But surely we all know that if you suck to hard the snot will hit the back of your throat?

Original poster
LoveBeingAMummyKissingSanta · 06/12/2008 11:01

I'm not worried about the person sucking!

OP posts:
mrsruffallo · 06/12/2008 11:03

I really have never considered the danger aspect. Are there any reports?

Original poster
LoveBeingAMummyKissingSanta · 06/12/2008 11:05

I've no idea and my aim is not to worry people I just really want to understand it more.

Baby CPR is very specific about how much you can blow because their lungs are so small, its such a small puff of air rather than a blow even.

I was concerned that suck it out is given as advice with no consideration as to how much. Was hoping someone would know more.

OP posts:
misdee · 06/12/2008 11:07

i have just been snot-pulling dd4 nose to clear it. she wakes up all snotty and the bits at the front are crusty. so give it a quick pick and pull gentle and loads comes out! she looks very releived once i've cleared her nose.

littleducks · 06/12/2008 11:17

it is a bit gross but then the poor kid needs to breathe, i remember reading 'Angela's ashes' and feeling queasy at the thought but that was pre kids

with dd i bought saline drops and used those with ds i just wash his nose when i do his mouth after eating and a bit later it clears

Anna- but surely you cant out babies in a hot steamy bath, or did you mean sit in the bathroom but actually in the bath?

chloemegjess · 06/12/2008 13:38

YUK. I honestly thought you were talking about a sucker thing. I can't believe people actually suck it with their mouth??!?!?!? This has realy shocked me.

And yes I would have thought it was dangerous but I have no evidence of this.

gabygirl · 06/12/2008 15:04

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

Can't see that sucking snot out of your baby's nose is any more disgusting than giving your partner a blow job and letting them come in your mouth. Actually I find it a lot less gross than that. And funnily enough baby snot does taste a bit like semen.

As for it being dangerous. Sigh. I think mums have been doing this for thousands of years, before little plastic bulbs were developed. You just use your common sense and such GENTLY!

beforesunrise · 06/12/2008 15:28

but how could it be dangerous? it's the same as using the sucker thingie, except that in the middle of the night it's mcuh easier as you don't have to switch on the light or anything, plus it's less traumatic for the baby as its not a foreign object but their mum's nose.

i think you are being oversensitive, and yes, YABU. or else you've never had a baby with a nose so stuffy that he couldn't feed or breathe.

beforesunrise · 06/12/2008 15:29

I obviously meant their mum's mouth.

and at gaby's post

ToThrottleaRedRobin · 06/12/2008 15:49

It's a case of using commonsense isnt it? I havent done it as yet but wouldnt need to think twice about doing it if ds couldnt breathe properly. It isnt asthough they can blow their own noses is it

loobeylou · 06/12/2008 18:15

well said gaby at 15:04!!

you only need to do a tiny suck to clear a little baby's nose and it helps so much, we're not talking about swallowing buckets full of thick green goo!! Would you squeamish ones not kiss a bleeding knee better either? Ah, just wait till yr LO has pucked all over your face and down yr cleavage at the age of 3 and then see how squeamish you are!

TOP TIP use an ordinary drinking straw placed gently at the corner of baby's mouth, pref while feeding, and suck GENTLY, chances are the snot never makes it as far as mum or dads mouth - straw MUCH cheaper than shop bought contraptions and can be disposed of, no need to sterilise for re use (THAT is the bit I would find dangerous, the possibility of someone using an unclean snot sucking machine on baby)

loobeylou · 06/12/2008 18:16

sorry, puked obviously not pucked

littleboyblue · 06/12/2008 18:16

They do it at the hospital when they are born on't they? They use those sucky things to clear the nose and throat. I wouldn't personally suck it out using my mouth but wouldn't have a prob with the little toy thing

prettybutterfly · 06/12/2008 18:22

lol at "snot harvesting"!

I do it too. Not gross, unless you are a soptastic old soppy arse.

I had to suck breakfast cereal out of DS1's nose once. It was one of those Gorilla Munch things - round corn cereal. He got a bit experimental with it and upset himself, so I just hovered it out. Easy.

prettybutterfly · 06/12/2008 18:23

I mean hoovered ... bah

Mize · 29/04/2009 17:51

I have done this for my younger son ( 6 months old ) several times. Yes, it's kinda gross but it's effective. He does not like anything touching his nose or ears so the bulb-sucker isn't an option.

It's not dangerous at all as long as you use common sense be gentle.

People have done it this way for thousands of years.

laweaselmys · 29/04/2009 18:07

Actually I see your point. I have seen this advised loads of times, I have never before seen anybody point out that you have to do it gently.

If I had tried this I would not have known.

It may be common sense if you are already very used to babies (which all these previous generations were), but for a huge number of people these days the first newborn they ever hold is there own and things that make perfect sense to others wouldn't occur to them, so thanks for the thread in case I ever do get that desperate, at least I know now!

Flightattendant25 · 29/04/2009 18:15

Just checking I'm not already on this as it's a bit of an oldie!!

I did this for ds1 the night he was born, but not really since.

Having tried the rather alarmingly interesting snot sucker on myself after several failed attempts with both ds's, I can safely say I understand why they don't like it - it feels like your eyes are being sucked out through your nose.

Vile, painful and unnecessary in most cases - just use a tissue, unless they are very tiny and in distress etc.

Flibbertyjibbet · 29/04/2009 18:16

SIl told me this when ds1 was tiny.

I thought she was making it up!!!