Best Nasal Aspirator for Baby in 2021
A healthy baby is a happy baby! Although we do whatever it takes to keep our precious babies healthy, a snotty nose baby just can't be avoided! Soon, your happy, cheerful baby turns into a cranky, uncomfortable mess as he/she can't blow their nose yet.
A nose full of snot can have some potentially dangerous consequences as well. A stuffed nose can make it difficult for the child to breathe making him/her fussy and irritable.
Thankfully, nasal aspirators can help you out in situations like these.
According to the experts, aspirating the mucous is necessary when an illness such as a common cold, bronchiolitis or influenza causes the body to make excess mucous.
As cough reflexes are not very well developed in babies, especially premature babies, aspiration is one of the best ways to remove the congestion.
I am sure you may have used or seen a nurse use the baby nasal aspirators in the hospital. Although those aspirators are good for the initial use, they are not designed for long-term use. Hence, you do need a nasal aspirator that is designed for a long-term use and the one that is both safe and efficient.
Sure, the market is full of hundreds of nasal aspirators, but simply picking the first one you see is not such a great idea. While some nasal aspirators are great, some others can be a hassle to use and clean and generally, a huge waste of money.
So, what makes a great nasal aspirator?
Well, that's precisely what we are going to talk about in this article. We will be taking a look at some qualities that make a nasal aspirator worth your time and money. In the latter half of the article, we will take a look at some of the best nasal aspirators on the market as well.
Do you really need a nasal aspirator for your baby?
It is not a gimmick that some overprotective parents have in their houses. A nasal aspirator is a handy tool that can help your little one breathe easy and free.
So, yes, if you want your child to be able to breathe properly when he/she is having a nose full of snot, you need a nasal aspirator. Most experts also recommend having an aspirator at hand, especially, if you have an infant below the age of six-months.
What are the different types of nasal aspirators?
There are three 'types' of nasal aspirators on the market depending on the mechanism of suction involved.
The Bulb type nasal aspirator
These are the simplest nasal aspirators that you may have seen used by a nurse at the hospital. They work on a simple principle; you squeeze the rubber bulb and create a partial vacuum and suck the snot right out of the baby's nose.
These aspirators are also called bulb syringes as well. These are quite popular and routinely used in the hospitals.
Although it may give you an impression that as the doctors use it, it must be the best, however, they are not quite ideal for home use. And there is a reason for that.
The bulb type nasal aspirators are meant to be used only once, i.e. they are disposable.
In a hospital setting these aspirators are used only once and then discarded. However, parents tend to reuse these when they are using an aspirator as home.
There is a huge problem with reusing these aspirators, though. They are notoriously difficult to clean. As a matter of fact, no matter how hard you try, it is virtually impossible to get everything out of these bulbs. As a result, over time, these bulb aspirators can become breeding grounds for germs, and you don't want anything like this to be stuck in your baby's nose.
Also, some other types of nasal aspirators have a better suction than these, and hence, they are better at the job they are supposed to do.
These aspirators are best if you are planning to use them as a 'use and throw' solution. On the plus side, they are the cheapest among all types of aspirators and available quite widely.
Human suction type aspirators
As the name suggests, these aspirators require you to stick one end into the nostril of your baby and suck on the other end. So, in other words, it is a parent-powered device!
Although the thought of sucking the snot out of your baby's nose may cause many parents to potentially gag, they are quite safe to use. As a matter of fact, the snot that you suck is caught in the replaceable filter system, and hence you will be fully protected from any potentially gross accidents!
The best part of these aspirators is that as a parent, you have control on the level of suction. That makes the suction process smooth and easy.
Besides, you have done many gross things for you baby than sucking his/her snot through a tube, right?
So, the human suction type aspirators are great if you want better control over suction. They are also quite easy to clean as well. However, if you are disgusted by the thought of sucking the snot out of your baby's nose, these may not be ideal for you.
Electric powered nasal aspirators
Ah! The power of modern technology. Why do things the manual way, when you can do it automatically?
These aspirators don't need you to squeeze or suck anything. All you need to do is place the aspirator on the nose of your baby, and with a press of a button, the snot is sucked away, like magic!
So, these aspirators are the least 'hands on' of the three and must be great, right? I mean why do people need the other two if the electric powered ones exist?
Well, the reason for that is the low powered suction of these aspirators. Most manufacturers put a limit on the amount of suction that can be applied. You don't want a 'Hoover-level' suction for this, and neither is it safe.
Also, they are quite expensive, and you need to replace batteries. But if you want an aspirator that is as automatic as possible and is too squeamish to use the human suction type aspirators, these are for you.
How to pick the best nasal aspirator for a baby?
As with anything you buy for your baby, nasal aspirators should also be selected carefully. As I mentioned earlier as well, there are many make and models out there and not all of them are equally good. Here are some things that make a nasal aspirator worth your time and money.
Must be easy to clean
When it comes to looking for an aspirator, this feature is a no-brainer. You are aspirating bacteria ridden snot out of your baby's nose. So, you want to make sure that the aspirator is as clean as possible.
You don't want the aspirator to become a breeding ground for nasty bacteria that can harm you or your baby.
Make sure that the aspirator that you pick is easy to clean and you understand the proper way to get it cleaned. Follow the instructions of the manufacturer while cleaning any aspirator.
Should be effective
An aspirator has one job; to get the snot out! If it is not able to achieve this goal, you are better off without it then.
You want an aspirator that is efficient in getting the congestion out in the least possible time. Although having a strong suction may seem desirable, too strong suction is also not good. You need an aspirator that has enough suction to get the job done without overdoing it.
Should be safe
The nose is lined by a delicate mucous membrane, and you don't want to stick anything up the nose that is not safe to use. Most aspirators are made from plastic, and the quality of the plastic used determines how safe it is to use.
The most important thing to look for is whether the plastic used is BPA and Phthalate-free or not. I would strongly suggest not using any aspirator that does not explicitly specify this.
Many aspirators also come with disposable silicone tips like the ones you see on digital thermometers. They are an excellent way to make sure that the baby won't get rashes or allergies while being aspirated. So, look for them as well.
Should last for a respectable amount of time
Most pediatricians suggest that you should be using the aspirators at least till the age of six months to one year. You don't want to invest on multiple aspirators during that time.
So, look for an aspirator that can last you for at least a year or so. There are several aspirators on the market that can easily last more than a year. They may be a bit expensive but are worth the investment.
Should be affordable
The cost must always be a parameter for buying anything, and nasal aspirators are no different. While there are many 'cheap' aspirators on the market, there are an equal number of the rather expensive ones as well.
While cheap aspirators may be enticing, you always get what you pay for and hence steer clear from the really cheap ones. That said, some really good aspirators can be bought at some surprisingly affordable prices as well.
So, in short, look for the one that offers the best value for your money.
How to Use an Nasal Aspirator
Top 5 nasal aspirators for baby you can buy
Little Martin's Drawer Baby Nasal Aspirator
Little Martin's Aspirator is one of the best battery-operated aspirators on the market. From an ergonomic shape to a long battery life, the aspirator gets a lot of things right.
The best thing about this aspirator is that it is FDA approved. So, you can be sure of the safety of this product. It generates enough suction to get the snot out without harming the delicate sinuses.
The aspirator comes with two different sized nozzles that fit most babies without a problem. The nozzles are made of 100% high-grade silicone for greater safety.
Another thing working for this aspirator is the design. It is one of the best-designed aspirators and is easy to hold and use. It is light and has an ergonomic grip that makes it easy to maneuver.
The aspirator is 100% waterproof and can be cleaned with ease. It is built with some high-grade BPA and Phthalate-fee plastic that will last you for years.
Overall, it is one of the best aspirators you can buy on the market today!
PROS
- Good level of suction
- Ergonomic design
- Waterproof; easy to clean
- Included two tip sizes
- BPA, phthalate, and latex-free
CONS
- The aspirator does almost everything right, but if you have to nitpick, it would have been great to see an adjustable suction power
NoseFrida The Snotsucker Nasal Aspirator
The Snotsucker is perhaps one of the most aptly named aspirators on the market. It is trusted by thousands of parents as their go-to aspirator.
As the name suggests, it is human suction type nasal aspirator with a basic design and functionality. It features an aspirator tube that you can stick up the baby's nose and a long suction tube with a mouth piece at the end to suck the snot through.
All the plastic used in the Snotsucker including the actual aspirator tube, the mouthpiece, and the connecting tube is BPA and Phthalate-free.
The best part of this aspirator is it contains a replaceable filter that prevents the accidental suction of mucus or bacteria by the parent. It is also quite easy to clean. As a matter of fact, you can just throw it on the top shelf of your dishwasher as well.
PROS
- Easy to use
- BPA and Phthalate-free
- Replaceable filters
- Clear tube
- Easy to clean
CONS
- The tubing and the mouthpiece can occasionally come out more quickly than you may want
Premium Baby Nasal Aspirator
The Premium nasal aspirator is a great product by the trusted brand Bubzi Co. It is also a human powered aspirator that needs a parent to suck the snot out of the baby's nose.
As the aspirators go up your baby's nose, they must be comfortable. If they are not, the baby will struggle, and you won't be able to get the job done in the first place. The Premium nasal aspirator outshines many others in this department. It is one of the most comfortable aspirators on the market thanks to a great design.
The best feature of the aspirator is that instead of the regular hard plastic that is used in most aspirators, it uses a flexible silicone tip. The silicone makes it more comfortable for the baby, and it is one of the safest materials on earth as well.
It also comes with a nozzle cover that can protect the part of the aspirator that you stick the nose of your baby from collecting duct. It is a simple thing, but not many aspirators have it!
All the parts of the aspirator are transparent, and you can see the amount of snot getting collected. It is good this as you can gauge when to stop and not accidentally suck the snot.
PROS
- Silicone nozzle for a better fit and comfort
- BPA and Phthalate-free
- Comes with a protective nozzle cover
- Easy to clean
- All parts are transparent
CONS
- The nose nozzle is slimmer than some others and may not form a tight enough seal
OCCObaby Baby Nasal Aspirator
If you were waiting for an electric powered nasal aspirator, your wait is over! The OCCObaby is one of the best electric nasal aspirators on the market.
One of the best things about this aspirator apart from the fact that is extremely easy to use is that it comes with a powerful suction tip. With this tip, you can increase the suction a bit and get even the most difficult snot out. Another great feature of this aspirator is the additional snot sucker attachment.
The aspirator comes with three different sized nose nozzles to fit most noses. You don't have to worry about not being able to fit the aspirator nozzle in your baby's nose with this aspirator.
The nose nozzles are completely reusable and made of 100% high-grade silicone. The whole assembly is completely waterproof and very easy to clean as well.
The best part is that the OCCObaby comes with a 90-day money back guarantee! If you are not satisfied with the product, you will be eligible for a full money back, no questions asked. Sounds a win-win situation to me!
PROS
- Battery operated
- Easy to use
- Waterproof; easy to clean
- Included three tip sizes
- BPA, phthalate, and latex-free
CONS
- The suction can be a bit low for some situations
BoogieBulb Baby Nasal Aspirator
If you are looking for the bulb type nasal aspirator, the BoogieBulb is your best option on the market. The BoogieBulb takes the traditional 'use and throw' bulb nasal aspirators and adds a twist to it, quite literally!
As we saw earlier, one of the biggest complaints with the bulb based aspirators is that they can be quite difficult to clean. BoogieBulb solved this problem by designing an aspirator that can be detached to two halves!
The significant design changes the whole situation with the bulb based aspirators. As the aspirator can be dismantled into two halves, it is extremely easy to clean. You can even machine wash this thing!
The aspirator is extremely easy to use as well. It uses a silicone material and is a 100% BPA, latex, and Phthalate-free.
What's more, it comes with a free eBook with every purchase that talks about some precautions while using aspirators.
PROS
- Silicone construction for a better safety
- Comes apart into two halves for easy cleaning and drying
- Easy to use
- Narrow tip
- BPA, phthalate, and latex-free
CONS
- As it is designed to be "taken apart," it can sometimes lose suction quickly
The verdict
After thoroughly reviewing some of the best nasal aspirators on the market, the Little Martin's Drawer Baby Nasal Aspirator takes the top spot on our list!
It is a great battery-operated nasal aspirator that is easy to clean and use. We especially loved the ergonomic design of the aspirator and the fact that it is 100% waterproof. The aspirator comes with two different sized nose tips for a better fit and is FDA approved. You really can't get better than that!
We hope that this article helped you narrow down your search for the best nasal aspirator for your baby. As always, help us spread the word by sharing this article with your family and friends.
