Rubber Suction Bulbs for Babies: How to Use and Clean Them

Ever wonder what that little squeeze bulb the hospital sent home with your baby is for? It's a bulb syringe, also called a rubber suction bulb. You use it to gently pull mucus out of your baby's nose when they're too stuffy to breathe or feed comfortably.

The short version: add a few saline drops, wait a minute or two, squeeze the bulb, place the tip just inside the nostril and slowly let go. Most pediatric guides say to suction no more than 3 to 4 times a day, ideally right before feeds and sleep.

What is a bulb syringe? 

A bulb syringe is a device used for nasal suction and is a gentle, efficient way of clearing a baby's nose and airways. It is used to suction mucus from an infant's nose, and with simple saline solution or saline nose drops, it works perfectly for loosening up mucus and clearing out a baby's nose. A bulb syringe is used by manually squeezing it to induce suction.

There are different types of syringes that are used to clear mucus.

There are different types of devices used to clear a baby's nose in addition to a traditional bulb syringe. The NoseFrida and similar devices, including electronic ones, can also be very useful for clearing a baby's congestion.

Hospitals often give new parents a bulb syringe to take home, but it is also found in many infant first aid kits and available at most stores and pharmacies.

When should parents use a bulb syringe? 

When infants have a stuffy nose, they are often uncomfortable, cry a lot, and are fussier than usual. Babies simply can't clear their nasal passages themselves like children and adults. A bulb syringe is a product that helps relieve congestion and promotes better breathing.

When a baby's nose is clear enough for them to breathe, they will often eat and sleep better. A bulb syringe is a great way to remove mucus and help soothe sick babies.

Limit suctioning to no more than 3 to 4 times a day.

The bulb syringe can be used when a baby is very congested and uncomfortable. Use a bulb syringe to remove any loose mucus, and gently wipe baby's nose with a cloth. Don't overuse suction devices, because they can irritate a baby's delicate nasal lining. Nasal saline can help loosen dried mucus and clear up nasal congestion easier.

Why should you clean a baby's nose with a bulb syringe?

• Use it when there is a lot of mucus visible that is stuck in the baby's nose.

• Use it when a baby's mucus is very thick.

• Use it when congestion makes it hard for a baby to eat properly.

• Use it when a stuffy nose has your little one breathing through their mouth.

Used gently, and not too often, a bulb syringe with saline drops is a simple way to clear your baby's nose.

Make sure to clean the bulb syringe properly.

Clean the bulb after every use. Squeeze warm, soapy water into it, shake, and squirt it out. Repeat several times, then rinse the same way with clean water. Squeeze out as much water as you can and let it air dry.

Don't skip the drying. Water left inside a bulb can lead to mold and mildew, and with a one-piece bulb you can't see inside to check. If you notice dark spots, a musty smell, or gunk that won't rinse out, throw it away and get a new one. Some bulb syringes come apart so you can clean and dry the inside. Check the package directions before boiling a bulb or putting it in a sterilizer or dishwasher.

A clean bulb syringe is necessary for keeping your little one safe and healthy.

How do you use it?

Bulb syringes aren't hard to use. Gently insert the bulb syringe into one nostril, and slowly release the pressure so that it can draw mucus out of the baby's nasal passage. Squeeze the bulb, then gently insert the tip into one nostril, and slowly release the pressure.

You can also start by putting a few drops of saline nose drops in the baby's nostril before using the bulb syringe. Using saline solution in a baby's nose can help loosen mucus and make it easier to suction.

How to use a bulb syringe with saline drops:

• Lay your baby on their back. Swaddling them in a blanket, or having another adult hold their hands, keeps little hands out of the way.
• Put 2 to 3 drops of saline in one nostril. Use plain saline drops from the drugstore, not medicated nose drops, unless your doctor recommends them.
• Wait 1 to 2 minutes so the saline can loosen the mucus.
• Squeeze the air out of the bulb before it goes near your baby's nose.
• Keep it squeezed and gently place the tip in the nostril, no farther than ½ inch.
• Point the tip straight toward the back of your baby's head, not upward, and slowly let go of the bulb.
• Take it out and squeeze the mucus onto a tissue.
• Wipe the tip and repeat on the other nostril.
• Clean the bulb right away.

Suction right before a feeding or sleep, not just after a feed. Suctioning on a full tummy can make your baby throw up.

When to call your pediatrician

Stuffy noses are common in babies, but some signs need a doctor. Call your pediatrician right away if your baby:

• Is breathing much faster than normal
• Still has trouble breathing after you've cleared their nose
• Wheezes (makes a whistling or purring sound when breathing)
• Is 3 months old or younger and has a rectal temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher
• Is still too stuffy to feed well after you've tried saline and suction

Go to the ER if your baby's ribs pull in with each breath. Call 911 if your baby is struggling for each breath, can barely cry, or has bluish lips or face.

Learning how to use a bulb syringe for infants is simple.

In combination with nose drops, a bulb syringe can be an effective way to remove excess mucus from an infant's nose.