Is your baby's nose blocked? Let's learn exactly how to use saline solution!

The pain and anxiety that a mother or father feels when they see their little baby with a stuffy nose, thick mucus, and difficulty breathing is indescribable. We too feel helpless when our baby is struggling to drink enough milk or sleep well. But there is a very simple and safe solution that can be used in most cases. That is saline solution.

What exactly is Saline Solution?

Simply put, saline solution is a solution made by mixing purified water and table salt in a specific amount. In medical terms, we also call this `(isotonic solution)`.

Imagine, the special thing about this is that the salt concentration of this liquid is very similar to the salt concentration in our tears, blood, and other body fluids. That means it contains 0.9% salt. Because of that similarity, it can be used without any harm to our bodies, especially the sensitive noses of young children.

What are the benefits of saline solutions?

Saline solutions have a variety of medical uses, from treating dehydration to washing wounds. However, among us, it is most commonly used to clean the nose. We call it ``nasal irrigation``.

When you rinse your child's nose with saline, the thick, dried, and congealed mucus inside the nose dissolves and comes out easily. This opens up the nasal passages and makes it much easier for the child to breathe.

In addition, there is another important thing. Inside our nose there are very fine, tiny hair-like parts. We call these `(cilia)`. These are what help keep the nose clean by removing dirt and mucus from the inside. Saline solution improves the functioning of these `(cilia)`.

How do you make saline solution at home?

This is very easy to make. You probably have the ingredients in your kitchen.

Things needed:

• A well-cleaned glass bottle or jar with a lid.
• A saucepan with a lid.
• Non -iodized table salt.
• Baking soda (this is not essential, but adding a little will reduce the burning sensation in the nose).
• You can get tap water or distilled water from the pharmacy.

How to make it (using tap water):

1. First, wash your hands thoroughly with soap. This is very important.

2. Add 1 cup of tap water to the saucepan and close the lid.

3. Boil the water thoroughly for about 15 minutes. Boiling this way will kill any germs in the water.

4. Now remove from the heat and let it cool down until it reaches room temperature.

5. Add 1/2 teaspoon of salt and a pinch (a pinch) of baking soda to the boiling water.

6. Stir with a spoon until the salt and baking soda are well dissolved.

7. Now your saline solution is ready! Pour it into the cleaned glass bottle, close the lid tightly, and store it in the fridge .

8. Most importantly: This homemade liquid should only be used within 24 hours . Then throw away the rest.

How to use saline solution on a child?

You can use this to clean your baby's nose in two ways.

1. As nose drops

This method is best suited for very young babies. This alone may not be enough for a very runny nose, but it is very useful for keeping the nose moist and for removing mucus with a bulb syringe.

• First, wash your hands thoroughly.
• Lay the baby on his back.
• Put some saline solution in a small, clean cup.
• Using a nose dropper, put about 3-4 drops into both of the baby's nostrils.
• Hold the baby's head back for about a minute. The saline will go in and loosen the mucus.
• Then, use a bulb syringe (a rubber ball-shaped device used to suck out baby's mucus) to gently suction out the mucus in the nose.
• Clean the used dropper and bulb syringe thoroughly.

2. Nasal Rinse (Saline Rinse)

Older children can use this method.

• Wash your hands thoroughly.
• Fill a Neti pot, large nasal syringe, or squeeze bottle with saline solution.
• Have the child hold their head over a sink.
• Insert the tip of the syringe or bottle into one of the child's nostrils and squeeze the liquid out slowly, aiming for the back of the head.
• The saline solution will then flow out of the other nostril or mouth.
• After washing, ask the child to blow their nose vigorously to expel the mucus.
• Do the same for the other nostril.
• If your child's doctor has prescribed another type of nasal medication (nose drops/spray), rinsing the nose in this way before administering it will help the medication be better absorbed.
• Keep used equipment thoroughly clean.

How do you get your child used to this?

Having water put in your child's nose can be a strange and uncomfortable experience, so it's important to prepare them for this in advance.

• Instead of rinsing the nose right away, start with a nasal spray or nose drops. This will help the child get used to the feeling of moisture inside the nose.
• Once the child gets used to it, switch to the method of rinsing the nose every now and then.
• It may feel like a slight burning sensation the first few times, but most children get used to the feeling over time.

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