How do I calm my son while cleaning his nose?

Question

Anyone got any ideas on how to calm my son while cleaning out his nose. I use q-tips and wet them for stubborn ones. The little round suction thing from the hosital/store does work very well. Her's the main problem:

1. He's 16 months old, very strong physically and emotionally, he fights me and my wife every time, we try not to loose our temper but its hard sometimes.
2. put his legs between my waist
3. Hold his arms down, but its hard to hold both arms down and clean at the same time
4. Cleaning out his nose is necessary, because if we don't it will block his breathing, I even tell him that, but does not seem to matter.

this is an everyday routine,
Thanks :)

Answer 1

I had the same problem with my son. I fought holding him down when I tried to clean his nose. It would only get worse because the crying caused more mucus. I finally was able to get him to sit and let me clean it by letting him think he was cleaning mine first. I used the blue asperator form the hospital..it has a long, thin asperator rather than the ones from the store that are short and fat. Could never fit it the nose. I also used qtips that I would cover with Little Noses nose gel. That helps loosen up anything that is really hard. Also, putting saline drops or spray will help keep the nasal airway open. Good Luck and try not to get frustrated as your son will sense it and do the same:)

Answer 2

A warm bath with a steam humidifier running in the bathroom will loosen any clogs so you can merely wipe under his nose with a wet washcloth to remove the boogers. Keep the door shut to get the humidity really high so his nose will run. You can try that until you get him to an allergist.

Any kid with THAT much of a nose problem needs allergy tests. A blood test called a RAST test will indicate what he is allergic to, and the allergist can prescribe medication to keep his nose dry.

An ENT should look at your sons nose. There are teeny tiny bones in the nose. You could have broken those bones by shoving wet qtips up a squirming childs nose.

I really must admit I have never heard of such a thing and wonder what your pediatrician thinks about this approach. I think it's very bizarre that you are doing this daily and I wonder why you find it "necessary"? If his nose were truly blocked he could always breath through his mouth, right?

Answer 3

Try teaching him how to blow his nose. We taught our 15 month old a couple of weeks ago. You still have to clean it really good once in a while, but the blowing helps some. Give him a toy to play with when you lay him down to clean. Don't hold him down. Would you like to be held down and things stuffed in your nose? Keep explaining why and what you are doing. Eventually, he will get it. Good luck.

Answer 4

Unless he has a nasal condition, you should leave his nose alone. Start teaching him to wipe and blow his nose (though he probably wont be able to blow it propertly til he's about 3). The nose cleans itsel, that's what boogers are. If his nose actually gets blocked he can breathe through his mouth as well.

I say let nature do the job for you and save the power struggle for something more important.

Answer 5

My nephew is two and very strong as well. He fights getting his nose cleaned too. We used to struggle to get him in a hold where we could get to his nose.. but its hard, tiresome, and you almost feel guilty that you have to pin them down.

Now we just tell him to blow his nose. He doesn't always get it all and we have to look at his snotty little nose from time to time... but he has now started picking up tissue on his own to attempt to clean his own nose without us saying anything. From time to time, I'll joke with him and tell him that he still has a boogie or yucky in his nose and auntie wants to help him and he'll let me help now - when there was no chance of this previously.

So maybe treating him like a big boy will work.

Answer 6

Why does it sound so familiar??! :)

After struggling with my one year old FOREVER, this is how I got her to cooperate: I gave her the suction and her favorite doll and showed her how to clean the doll's nose... let her do that a couple of time and told her that now mommy needed to clean her nose and.... tad ah!

Now when she sees the suction, she brings her head forward so I can clean her nose! :)

Answer 7

give em his fave toy and lay him down simple if not give him something lyk a toy or snack if he lets u do it

Answer 8

you get the suction, i'll tie his arms up behind his back....he'll never see it coming...