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What is nasal rinsing?
- It’s a safe and low-cost technique to rinse the nose and get rid of mucus (snot, boogers).
- You can use saline water made at home, applied with a plastic syringe (for infants, babies, small children) or plastic bottle (older children, adults).
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Why is nasal rinsing recommended?
- Eases discomfort caused by congestion (a stuffy nose) or a cold.
- Helps infants and babies breathe and feed more easily when they’re sick.
- Can help prevent and reduce colds, sinus, and ear infections.
Nasal rinsing benefits
- Fewer antibiotics
- Less discomfort and pain due to congestion
- Fewer absences from work / childcare / school
- Lower risk of hearing loss from recurring ear infections
Recipe for homemade saline water
- Don’t use iodized salt because it can cause irritation.
- Use sea salt, kosher salt, or pickling salt.
- Refrigerate saline water in an airtight glass container for up to 7 days.
- Shake the container before preparing the rinse.
- Take quantity needed for the day and warm to room temperature before using.
- Don’t use cold or hot solution!
Boil 4 cups of water for 10 minutes.
Add 2 teaspoons of non-iodized salt (sea salt, kosher salt, or pickling salt).
Add 1 / 2 (a half) teaspoon of baking soda.
IMPORTANT:Let the solution cool down before using it.
Remember to shake well, take quantity needed for the day, and warm the saline water to room temperature (not cold or hot). Syringes and plastic bottles are available at the CMC or a drugstore.
- Premature infants: Use 3 mL syringe for 1 mL of solution per nostril.
- Babies under 2:Use a 10 mL syringe for 1 to 3 mL of solution per nostril.
- Children 2-5 years: Use a 10 mL syringe for 3 mL per nostril.
- Children 5 and older: Use a 10 mL syringe for 3 – 5 mL per nostril.
Start using a plastic irrigation bottle when your child can control the pressure during the rinsing process.
- When congested or have a cold: 3-6 times a day as needed.
- Summer: As needed for seasonal allergies or a stuffy nose.
- Winter (October – May): 1 – 2 times a day as needed for seasonal allergies or stuffy nose.
- When congested or have a cold: 3 – 4 times a day as needed.
- Summer: As needed for seasonal allergies or a stuffy nose.
- Winter (October – May): 1 – 2 times a day as needed for seasonal allergies or stuffy nose.
A medical specialist may also prescribe a different frequency depending on the situation.
Prepare your child before nasal rinsing. It’s helpful to soften nose secretions in a bath or shower. Steam from warm water helps do this. You can also apply a wet and warm facecloth to the nose or use a baby nose cleaner.
Preparation helps make nasal rinsing safe. When rinsing is done with too much water and pressure, it can push secretions and liquids into the inner ear, and cause infections, or hearing loss.
Wash your hands before nasal rinsing.
0 – 6 MONTHS:
- Lie your baby on their side or on their back. Wrap them in a blanket or towel if needed. Put a facecloth under their nose.
- If your baby is on their side, use the syringe to rinse the top nostril first. Gently empty the syringe in the 1st nostril, about 1 mL / second. It’s okay if the rinse doesn’t come out the 2nd nostril.
- Change your baby’s position to the other side to do the other nostril. If they’re on their back, do the 2nd nostril.
- Nose secretions may come out of your baby’s nostrils, mouth, or they may swallow them.
- Sponge their nose with a tissue.
- If secretions are still present, repeat steps 2 to 5. If you’ve already used the total recommended quantity of saline solution, use a suction device to remove secretions.
6 MONTHS AND OLDER:
- Sit your child with their head facing forward on an adult’s knees. This position is recommended until the child is old enough to do nasal rinsing themselves. Make sure their head is straight.
- Use one hand to steady their jaw. Hold the filled syringe with the other hand. Insert syringe gently into the nostril and gently push on the plunger until it’s empty.
- Secretions may come out of the nostrils or mouth. It’s okay if the solution doesn’t come out of the other nostril.
- Use the same technique for the other nostril.
- If your child can’t blow their nose, sponge their nose with a tissue.
- If secretions are still present, repeat steps 2 to5.If you’ve already used the total recommended quantity of saline solution, use a suction device to remove secretions.
OLDER CHILDREN (3 +) AND ADULTS – HOW TO USE A NASAL RINSING BOTTLE
For children, a 4 oz (120 mL) bottle will do. Teenagers and adults can use an 8 oz (240 mL) bottle.
- Wash your hands before and after nasal rinsing.
- Blow your nose.
- Fill the bottle with saline solution.
- Stand over a sink with head bent forward and mouth open. Rinsing can also be done while sitting down, if your head is in the right position.
- Insert bottle spout in one nostril and gently squeeze bottle until the rinse solution drips out of the other nostril or mouth.
- Blow your nose, one nostril at a time.
- Repeat step 3 – 6 as needed.
- Wash out the irrigation bottle after using it.
- Fill the bottle with soapy water.
- Insert the central tube and screw the lid on.
- Shake bottle holding a finger over the opening.
- Rinse bottle and part until water runs clear to get rid of soap residue.
- Let air dry on a clean towel for next use.
- It’s recommended to replace nasal irrigation bottles every 3 months, or when the plastic starts to discolour. Check the manufacturer’s recommendations.
See your Awash PCCR or nurse to learn and practice the right position to use with your child. If your child usually has difficulties breathing or swallowing, a PCCR or nurse can show you adapted approaches.
What is infection ?
An infection is when germs enter someone’s body and start to make the person sick.
Infections: How can we prevent and treat them?
Precautionary measures are safety steps you can take to prevent getting or spreading infectious diseases.
Flu (influenza)
Influenza (flu) is a contagious lung disease caused by the influenza virus. This is a different virus than the one that causes COVID-19.
Respiratory Illness: How to Limit the Spread
We can take steps to reduce the spread of germs that cause respiratory illness.
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Related resources
Explore links
- CBHSSJB Nasal Rinsing Pamphlet 2023
- Nasal Irrigation (INSPQ)
