Accidentally used saline nasal spray opened for 6 months

[Emimummy]

Hi
I'm a first time mum and probably over panicking but would appreciate some advice please. My 9 month old daughter is currently congested and has been waking up during the night because of it. I remembered that I have some boots nasal saline spray that I used when she was 3 months old so tried that in the early hours of this morning. I managed to get one spray in her nostril and whilst waiting for her to calm down to do the other nostril I noticed that the directions on the bottle state not to use after 3 months of opening. I'm now worried sick that I've squirted a potentially bad spray up her nose and have convinced myself there will be bacteria now that will get to her brain! Am I just over thinking this or am I right to be worried? Sorry if this seems absolutely ridiculous but I just hate the thought that I've done something that can harm my baby!

It's only salt water, relax. You won't harm your baby it just becomes less affective.

It is normal to worry as it is your natural defence against complacency. My way of dealing with that horrible panic that comes after an error was have a quick think about a few common but far worse things where no harm comes and that would help me calm down! For example children fall into disgusting ponds and get that dirty water up their noses, but do not get a bacterial infection in their brains.

What do you think will happen?

I don't mean it's a big error btw, was just talking about how to dislodge the niggling worry.

Honestly it’s fine. They will put far more disgusting things in their mouth than a bit of old saline up the nose! Dd went through a phase of being desperate to eat slugs

Salt water can’t harm, no matter how old. Big breath and relax now.

Every so often there's a thread about a child eating pet poo... bleurgh!

Thank you all for the reassurance it is appreciated. I never thought I'd be such a worrier but since having her my mind just automatically jumps to the worst case scenario whenever something happens. She's sleeping peacefully now so maybe I should stop watching her and try get some sleep myself now I know I was just over worrying x