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Nasal aspirators/bulbs have been around for years and offer some welcoming relief to little ones when suffering from allergies or a cold. Though humble, this little device can mean the difference between a good night’s rest when your little one is feeling clogged up, so here is why this gadget is still making it onto parents’ “must-have” lists when it comes to a baby registry. If you are expecting a baby, you definitely need to pick one, so here are our top 10 nasal aspirators for your baby that will make colds easier for them.
Why is a nasal aspirator necessary?
We can all relate to that feeling of having a stuffy nose, all clogged up and unable to breathe properly, thanks to the flu or a cold. Now imagine feeling that way but not having the ability to take medicine, combined with not having mastered the art of blowing your nose yet!
Your little one will inevitably suffer from cold at some time during their first year. By using a nasal aspirator, you can offer them some relief. Once you’ve removed all that mucus (a fancy word for boogers), your little one will:
- Be able to breathe a little easier
- Find it easier to drink/eat
- Sleep better – which is essential when their bodies are fighting a cold
They also continue to work really well on toddlers too and, truth be told, I’ve had several adults admit that they have tried it out as well – After all, are you even a parent if you haven’t tried out the very items that you use on your baby?
Different types of nasal aspirators
- Nasal bulb – most of us are familiar with the nasal bulb, which is usually the cheapest option and often comes free in your baby bag from the hospital. The bulb works by squeezing out all the air in the bulb, inserting the tip into the baby’s nose, and releasing the bulb while closing the other nostril, creating a vacuum that will suck up the boogers.
- Nasal aspirator – These can be divided into oral aspirators (where you basically suck on a tube to get the mucus out) and electrical nasal aspirators, which use a small pump to suck out the boogers into a chamber.
Electric nasal aspirators are becoming increasingly popular amongst parents, which is why we are having a look at the top electrical nasal aspirators on the market. But first, make sure that you are prepared before you dive right in:
Fail to plan, plan to fail
Whether you are using a syringe bulb, an oral aspirator, or an electric aspirator, chances are pretty darn good that your little one will hate it. I found it helpful to introduce my kids to our electrical nose aspirator before they got sick – Let them get used to the sound and feel of it, even if it is only for 5 – 10 seconds at a time.
The second thing you will need to set yourself up for success is to use saline drops. This softens the mucus and gives it a thinner consistency which makes it easier to get out. One more thing that’s handy when it comes to congestion, is using humidifiers as well!
Almost all manufacturers of nasal aspirators recommend it – simply put a few saline drops in your little one’s nose, wait 30 – 60 seconds, and get those boogers on their way! Now let’s have a look at the top nasal aspirators on the market.
Top 10 Nasal aspirators on the market
OCCObaby Nasal Aspirator
The Occobaby Nasal Aspirator can be used right from the get-go, featuring 3 different sized tips that are BPA and Latex-free. It relies on 2 x AA batteries for operation and provides a fair amount of suction. For best results, use saline and then move the aspirator in a circular motion.
We love the size of the tips prevents you from sticking the aspirator in too deep. It is also easy to travel with and, best of all, there are no filters that need changing – Simply wash the tips and container with soapy water.
The Occobaby Nasal Aspirator also includes a free Oral Snot Sucker, which can be used if you are away from home and the batteries run out.
DynaBliss Electric Baby Nose Sucker
If you are looking for variety, look no further than the DynaBliss Electric Baby Nose Sucker. This aspirator comes out with four different tips manufactured from silicone which gives it a soft feel. It also features three different suction modes, enabling you to handle any type of situation.
We especially like the LED light that makes it easy to use at night and offers a bit of guidance. Its backflow prevention design keeps mucus from entering the machine.
Cleaning becomes a breeze with the cleaning brush, tweezers, and dropper bottle included in the package. Operation of the DynaBliss Electric Baby Nose Sucker relies on charging the lithium battery, much like you would charge a cell phone.
Grownsy Baby Nasal Aspirator
The Grownsy Baby Nasal Aspirator has good, strong suction and comes with three different types of silicone tips, BPA and Latex-free. Parents also rave about its low noise factor and the LED warm light it features. Another reason the Grownsy Baby is great because it plays soft, soothing music while in operation mode that will calm your little one almost immediately.
The Grownsy Baby Nasal Aspirator features a 700mAh rechargeable battery and its size makes it easy to travel with. The waterproof storage tank is separate from the air intake of the device, which makes it easy to clean and prevents backflow when used.
We love how easy it was to operate and that it takes into consideration just how hard it is for parents and babies alike to perform this inconvenient little procedure.
Braun Nasal Aspirator
The Braun Nasal Aspirator relies on an electric suction to clear stuffy noses is safe to use from birth onwards. The aspirator comes with two adjustable tips and suction levels, making it easy to use on infants and toddlers. The tips and reservoir are dishwasher safe. It could perhaps do with just a little more suction.
We like the auto shut-off when the suction button is released, though some parents find it a little challenging to hold a finger on the button while trying to maneuver your way around the nostrils. It used 2 x AA batteries to operate, and the free carry case comes in very handy when slipping it into your baby bag.
The NozeBot – Electric Baby Nasal Aspirator
The NozeBot takes on a different design than most of the electrical nasal aspirators on the market and features three different suction levels.
What we are most excited about, though, is the fact that it advertises itself as hospital-grade suction. It easily clears out mucus without any struggle, yet it is gentle enough not to cause any damage to your little one’s soft tissue.
The nosepiece was designed specially by a pediatric ENT to ensure its effectiveness, and we like that the nosepiece and tubing are both dishwasher safe. It does require disposable filters, though. The NozeBot uses a rechargeable lithium-ion battery. Parents are raving about the suction power on this electric nasal aspirator.
Ravifun Electric Baby Nasal Aspirator
The Ravifun Electric Baby Nasal Aspirator has an impressive five levels of suction and two soft, BPA, phthalate-free and Latex-free silicone tips. The streamlined design allows for great maneuverability using one hand only with the push of a button.
The Ravifun is also easy to clean. All you have to do is detach the collection cup and tips and rinse with soapy water. The aspirator has a lithium metal battery that can be charged.
The only drawback of Ravifun is that it uses cotton filters. The product comes with only 7 filters and, while you can wash them after use, they tend to lose their effectiveness over time. Also, you cannot buy them separately at this stage.
Nosiboo Pro Baby Electric Nasal Aspirator
The Nosiboo Pro Baby Electric Nasal Aspirator features a unique design and was developed with the input of ENT specialists to create an excellent product. It has a good amount of suction power, and levels can be adjusted as desired.
There are two different tips included but, sadly, no extra filters or tubes. These can be purchased separately if you needed to.
We like the shape and design of the Nosiboo Pro, which seems to keep kids rather interested. It is also easy to clean – simply remove the head and tip and rinse under runny water. It is a tad bit noisy though, but no louder than a fan would be.
There has been some mention of mucus getting into the nozzle system if you move the device around too much when using. This can be cleaned, but it does become a little trickier and takes a little time.
Baby Nasal Aspirator
The Baby Nasal Aspirator features all the bells and whistles you would want extra in a nasal aspirator: Music to calm and distract your little one and an LCD screen with a smiley face that also shows you the power consumption and suction level.
The device comes with two soft silicone heads and features three different suction power levels to choose from, thanks to the advanced water pumps motor used in this device.
The Baby Nasal aspirator is also easy to clean – rinse underwater – and has a built-in battery that can be recharged using a USB cord which is also included. We love that this product was designed not just to do its primary job, but that extra thought was given to the fact that babies mostly hate any nasal aspirator!
Athlife Baby Nasal Aspirator
The Athlife Baby Nasal Aspirator has two reusable silicone tips, three different suction levels and can be used on babies and toddlers. Though the Athlife Baby Nasal Aspirator has a more clinical look, it also plays music to soothe and calm your little one while getting the job done.
We also like the display screen that shows you exactly which suction level you are on. Tips are BPA-free, Phthalate-free, and lead-free.
The Athlife Baby Nasal Aspirator can easily be maneuvered with just one hand, and, unlike most models, it features a 10-minute automatic shutdown timer to ensure your battery doesn’t run out if accidentally turn on in your bag. It has a built-in battery that charges with a USB cord and also includes a nasal tweezer.
The Snotsucker by NoseFrida
You might be wondering how The Snotsucker by NoseFrida snuck onto our list – after all, it is the only nasal aspirator that isn’t an electrical nasal aspirator. Upon doing our research, we found that almost every electrical nasal aspirator was compared to the NoseFrida Snotsucker in terms of effectiveness which got us interested – How good is this thing really?
So first off, the NoseFrida Snotsucker works by inserting the tip connected to a tube into your baby’s nose. It relies on you as a parent to suck on the other end of the tube through the mouthpiece to eliminate any boogers or mucus.
It does have a filter on the sucking end to prevent you from getting any snot into your mouth. But alas, many parents swear that they’ve had baby’s mucus end up in their mouth. The Snotsucker also comes with disposable filters that need to be replaced after each use.
It sounds gross, right? So why are parents using it and often even preferring the Snotsucker to an electrical nasal aspirator? In short, the Snotsucker by NoseFrida is so effective in clearing babies’ noses that (most) parents are willing to take the risk.
It provides excellent manual suction power, which you control, and it gets the job done. It just goes to show that a parents’ love knows no bounds and that we would go to any lengths if it means that our little ones can breathe a little easier.
FAQs
Answer: If you are still unsure about using a nasal aspirator on your baby, let us help you put your mind at ease by answering a few questions:
Answer: When used correctly, a nasal aspirator won’t hurt your new baby. Yes, it is important to realize that their mucus lining is still very thin and sensitive but approved nasal aspirators’ tip is designed so you can’t put it in too deep, and the suction power is low to ensure that no damage occurs.
Answer: It is recommended that you use a nasal aspirator no more than three to four times a day. The reason for this is two-fold:
Most aspirators recommend that you use saline solutions. Even though saline is basically salt water, you should only use as per instructions which is most often three to four times a day.
Overusing can dry out the nose and irritate the nostrils or even nose bleeds. A good tip is to use it just before feeding, as this will clear the nose and hopefully lead to a better feeding experience.
Answer: No, a nasal aspirator should not cause any pain. The reason most babies or toddlers hate an aspirator is usually due to the noise if you are using an electric aspirator or because it is not a natural feeling to have something in your nose that provides suction motion.
Remember that even hospitals make use of nasal aspirators in their pediatric units.
Our personal favorite?
It was a tough choice between the NozeBot and the Baby Nasal aspirator. We love that the Baby Nasal Aspirator was created with babies in mind, featuring music and an LED screen to try and distract them from the terrible sensation of a nasal aspirator.
If strong suction is the only thing you are after, it seems like the NozeBot is the way to go. It doesn’t feature any bells or whistles, omitting any music or soothing sounds and LED lightning.
Still, at the end of the day, the product does best what it was designed to do – It gets those boogers out and helps your little one breathe, eat and sleep easier, which is why it got our vote as the best electrical aspirator on the market today!
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