What is the proper method for suctioning a newborns airway with a bulb syringe?

A bulb syringe is usually used to gently suction mucus out from your baby's nose. It can also be used to remove saline nasal wash from his nose. A bulb syringe is best used when your baby is younger than 6 months old.

How is a bulb syringe used?

  • Squeeze the bulb syringe and gently place the tip into one of your baby's nostrils. Do not put the stem of the syringe in your baby's nose.
  • Slowly release the bulb so that it draws mucus or fluid out of your baby's nose.
    What is the proper method for suctioning a newborns airway with a bulb syringe?

  • Once the bulb has expanded, remove it from your baby's nose. Squeeze the contents onto a tissue.
  • Repeat if needed. Then follow the same steps for the other nostril.

How do I clean a bulb syringe?

Prevent the growth of bacteria by rinsing your bulb syringe after each use and cleaning it daily.

  • Rinse the syringe:
    • Fill the bulb syringe with distilled or sterilized water. Sterilized water is tap water that has been boiled for 1 to 3 minutes and cooled.
    • Gently shake the syringe.
    • Empty the water from the syringe completely.
    • Place the bulb syringe with its tip down in a clean glass to drain fully. Do not allow the tip to sit in water.
  • Clean the syringe:
    • Fill the bulb syringe with rubbing alcohol (70% isopropyl alcohol).
    • Gently shake the syringe.
    • Empty the alcohol from the syringe completely.
    • Place the bulb syringe with its tip down in a clean glass to drain fully.

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You have the right to help plan your baby's care. Learn about your baby's health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your baby's healthcare providers to decide what care you want for your baby. The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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Further information

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Clearing that stuffed-up nose will probably make it easier for your little one to breathe, eat, and sleep.

Most new parents get a rubber bulb syringe in their newborn kit from the hospital for this purpose, and it generally works pretty well. There are also a few new products on the market (do an online search for "nasal aspirator") that may be even more efficient at removing mucus from a stuffy little nose.

Start by squirting a little nasal saline into your child's nose to moisten and loosen up the mucus before you try to suction it out. You can buy saline at pharmacies or make it easily at home by dissolving 1/4 teaspoon of salt in 8 ounces of warm water. Make a fresh batch each day and store it in a clean, covered glass jar. (If you get your water from a well, it's a good idea to boil the water first to sterilize it.)

Lay your child down with her chin tilted up slightly. Place one or two drops of saline in each nostril with an eyedropper (or squirt once or twice if you're using a saline spray) and try to keep your baby's head still for about ten seconds. Wipe the dropper clean after each use.

The saline itself may ease your child's congestion. But if her nose is still stuffy after a few minutes, you can break out the suction device.

How do I use a rubber bulb syringe?

What is the proper method for suctioning a newborns airway with a bulb syringe?

Squeeze the air out of the bulb of the syringe to create a vacuum. Then gently insert the rubber tip into one nostril. Slowly release the bulb to suction out mucus. Remove the syringe and squeeze the bulb forcefully to expel the mucus into a tissue. Wipe the syringe and repeat the process for the other nostril.

If your baby is still congested after five to ten minutes, apply saline drops again and resuction. Don't suction your baby's nose more than two or three times a day, though, or you'll irritate its lining. And don't use the saline drops for more than four days in a row because over time, they can dry out the inside of the nose and make matters worse.

Bear in mind that this should be a gentle process. If you end up suctioning too aggressively, the nasal tissues can become inflamed (or even bleed), which can make the congestion worse. If your baby resists vigorously, let it go for a while and try again later.

How do I clean the syringe?

Clean it well with warm, soapy water after each use. Squeeze the bulb with the tip in the soapy water to clean the inside, too. (Shake the soapy water inside the bulb before squeezing it out.)

Rinse well by repeating the process several times with clear warm water. Suspend the syringe, tip side down, in a glass to dry.

How do I use the newer nasal aspirators?

The other nasal aspirators consist of a nozzle that you position at the opening of the nostril, a long piece of soft tubing in the middle, and a mouthpiece on the other end. You use your mouth to gently suction mucus out of your child's nose and into the nozzle. A filter in the tube blocks bacteria and keeps you from inhaling any germs. The device can be taken apart and washed with soap and warm water.

These products come with complete directions on how to use and care for them. They may cost a bit more (around $15), but some parents find them more effective, less invasive, and easier to use than a bulb syringe.

What is the proper method for suctioning a newborn's airway with a bulb syringe quizlet?

The mouth should be suctioned first and then the nose, with the bulb syringe. The mouth should be suctioned first because the infant may gasp when the nose is suctioned, causing aspiration of mucus or fluid in the mouth. Then gently suction the nose only if necessary.

What is proper way to bulb suction a newborn be specific in which you would suction first mouth or nose?

Always suction the mouth before the nose if you need to clear both areas. You can buy a bulb syringe that has a bulb that opens for better cleaning and drying. There are also battery operated nasal aspirators that come with disposable tips, however, these can be expensive.

What is the suctioning procedure for an infant?

The procedure involves inserting a catheter into an infant's nose and advancing it to the back of the throat (pharynx) approximately 4-8 cm (Oberc, 1991). Once at the pharynx, suction is intermittently applied and the catheter is slowly removed.

Can you use a suction bulb on a newborn?

Clearing that stuffed-up nose will probably make it easier for your little one to breathe, eat, and sleep. Most new parents get a rubber bulb syringe in their newborn kit from the hospital for this purpose, and it generally works pretty well.