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What is a Nasal Aspirator?
A nasal aspirator is a small suction device used to remove mucus from the nasal passages of infants or toddlers who are unable to blow their noses to clear their airways. A traditional aspirator uses a flexible tube that is placed in an infant’s nostril as the parent sucks out the mucus from the other end of the tube.
If you're wondering, since nasal aspirators have a long tube with a filter, bacteria, mucus, or germs are all prevented from getting into your mouth. There are also more types of aspirators these days that will require a different source of suction power other than the parent.
How to Choose the Best Nasal Aspirator
It's best to consider various factors such as ease of use, effectiveness, hygiene and the age of your baby when choosing the best nasal aspirator for them. Let's go through these factors to break them down further.
Age of Baby
Some aspirators are limited to a certain age group, which means it'll be up to you to ensure that a particular unit is safe for your baby. Other aspirators, meanwhile, have variables that can be adjusted to match the specific requirements based on the baby's age or nasal congestion severity. These units are mostly electric nasal aspirators.
Easy to Use
You obviously want a nasal aspirator that is effective for your child, but since aspirators are parent-powered, you'd also have to be simultaneously searching for equipment that is easy to operate on your end. Otherwise, there are going to be inconsistencies in how effective the aspirator can be in each use.
Easy to Clean
It's important to look for a nasal aspirator that can be easily disassembled and cleaned. Being able to do so will greatly help in maintaining proper hygiene and prevent bacterial growth. An easy to clean or reusable tip allows you to avoid nasal irritation due to allergy. If you prefer, there are also aspirators that have dishwasher-safe components for optimum convenience.
Sucks Up a Good Amount of Mucus
Suction power is a real talking point here as well since different conditions will require varying suction power. If you are shopping for an electric aspirator, then consider purchasing a unit that has adjustable suction levels. This will greatly aid you in adjusting the suction power based on your child's maturity and the severity of the congestion.
Manual Vs Electric
Electric is naturally more convenient and flexible. Whereas manual nasal aspirators take mostly your own judgment, electric aspirators have presets that are able to automatically suck out mucus from your little one's nose with just a press of a button. Of course, this still needs a bit of your input and you do have to carefully follow the manufacturer's instructions to get the right settings for your baby.
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Best Overall Nasal Aspirator: NoseFrida Baby Nasal Aspirator
Weight: 1.41 ounces (0.08 lb)
Dimensions: 3 x 1.5 x 6 inches
Pros: We are convinced that NoseFrida is more accurate and reliable than a bulb syringe. It's also comfortable to use for both the parent and the child and is relatively easy to clean and prepare. In addition, it's the blue nasal tube, filter cap and red mouthpiece are top-rack dishwasher safe for easy cleaning. It's also the most portable and travel-friendly aspirator we've reviewed.
Cons: Perhaps a little clunky when being stored. The tube doesn't coil well and generally takes more space in storage than expected.
Best Nasal Aspirator with Music: Bivni Baby Nasal Aspirator
Weight: 11.68 ounces (0.73 lb)
Dimensions: 6.93 x 4.57 x 2.4 inches
Pros: Bivni's electric nose aspirator supports 3 levels of suction power (up to 65Kpa) which gives you more flexibility than standard aspirators. The soft silicone tip can be replaced with two other tips that might be more suitable for your baby's nostril size and age. Finally, you also get 3 nursery rhymes that you can play to calm your little one. It's not perfect, but it's the best baby nasal aspirator that comes with music as an added feature.
Cons: Reported cases of the battery no longer charging after a year of use.
Best Electric Nasal Aspirator: Grownsy Baby Nasal Aspirator
Weight: 11.36 ounces (0.71 lb)
Dimensions: 1.83 x 1.83 x 6.1 inches
Pros: The Grownsy nasal aspirator is a lot more convenient than traditional aspirators thanks to its 3-level adjustable suction strength and the interchangeable food-grade silicone tips that you can swap to best fit your baby's nose. The battery life is notably amazing, as it can last for weeks after being fully charged. The storage case is also great if you need to pack the equipment for any family trip.
Cons: Can be a little louder than average at max suction strength.
Best Noise-Free Nasal Aspirator: Little Martin’s Baby Nasal Aspirator
Weight: 1.41 ounces (0.08)
Dimensions: 8.5 x 4.7 x 1.9 inches
Pros: The hospital-grade battery-operated nose aspirator from Little Martin is also our pick for the quietest nasal aspirator. It's most convenient for infants as it takes away much of the concern about them being anxious due to the suction noise that comes from most electric or manual aspirators. We also like the design as it fits like a glove and is relatively easy to handle from different angles. The water-resistant exterior adds a nice touch as it prevents the electronic components from being accidentally fried.
Cons: A little pricey. Limited suction power.
Best Nasal Aspirator for Toddlers: Bubzi Co Baby Nasal Aspirator
Weight: 2.12 ounces (0.13 lb)
Dimensions: 6.69 x 4.33 x 1.22 inches
Pros: It's quick, simple and reliable! Bubzi Co's aspirator is a fresh take on the traditional manual nasal aspirator of yore. It's easy to clean, use or pack, and is just an overall great pocket-friendly solution for common cold and stuffy nose. It uses oral suction, minus the filters. Instead, the unique mouthpiece is the one preventing any snot or germs from unsuspectingly getting into your mouth.
Cons: Limited suction power.
Best Silicone Nasal Aspirator: Innovo Baby Nasal Aspirator
Weight: 3.21 ounces (0.20 lb)
Dimensions: 1.97 x 1.97 x 0.79 inches
Pros: The best silicone is unsurprisingly the Innovo nasal aspirator which is 100% made of silicone! It features a transparent design and reusable nasal suction tips, as well as the classic bulb-type aspirator design that other parents prefer over suction.
Cons: Limited mucus extraction capability (you may need to use saline spray or saline drops to loosen stubborn mucus)
Best Hospital Grade Baby Aspirator: LittleTora Baby Nasal Aspirator
Weight: 15.52 ounces (0.97 lb)
Dimensions: 3.54 x 0.01 x 5.12 inches
Pros: The LittleTora hospital-grade nasal aspirator can generate up to 73Kpa which is among the strongest suction power in its class. The aspirator also features a tight-seal suction bottle and nozzle that easily prevents leaks or spills.
Cons: It has a bulky frame.
How to Use a Nasal Aspirator?
There are different types of aspirators and each has its own unique way of expunging mucus and snot from your kid's nostrils.
A bulb aspirator, for example, will only require you to press the bottom or side of the equipment to initiate its sucking motion. Meanwhile, oral suction aspirators require you manually, but safely suck out mucus using a specialized tube with a filtration system.
For best practice, follow the manufacturer's instructions closely when using or adjusting your nasal aspirator for home use.
Is it Safe to Use a Nasal Aspirator?
Yes! When used correctly there is absolutely no danger for both the parent and child to use an aspirator. As always, do refer to the instructions of the manufacturers in order to operate the aspirator as required depending on the age of your child and the severity of their nasal congestion.
Which Nose Aspirator is the Best?
The compact but effective NoseFrida is what we're going with as the best aspirator for general use. However, we've also listed the best baby nasal aspirators we've previously reviewed for more specific scenarios and cleaning methods that you might prefer.
Are Nasal Aspirators Recommended?
Yes! Nasal aspirators are commonly recommended by healthcare professionals. It's widely considered an essential tool for taking care of nasal congestion among infants and young children who lack the ability to blow their noses to remove mucus build up in their nasal passages.
Is An Electric Nasal Aspirator Better?
It's a matter of preference. But for us, we like the convenience that generally comes with electric-powered aspirators. Especially those that have adjustable suction levels.
Summing Up: Are Baby Nasal Aspirators Worth It?
Nasal aspirators are definitely worth having if you have an infant or young children. It's often a one-off investment with long-term value and practical application. More than anything, it remains super reliable in providing quick relief to your children whenever their nasal passages are compromised.
Definitely a must have item with you when you're traveling with your little one.
You can also read about best baby monitors here and find out about the best sound machine for baby.
