The electric NoseFrida works best when you prep your baby’s nose with saline first, hold them in the right position, and gently place the silicone tip at the entrance of each nostril. The whole process takes about two minutes once you get the hang of it, and most parents find it far easier than a traditional bulb syringe. Here’s exactly how to do it safely and effectively.
Prep With Saline First
Saline drops are the most important step, and skipping them is the most common reason parents feel the aspirator “isn’t working.” Put 3 to 4 drops of saline into each nostril using the dropper that comes with most saline kits. Then hold your baby with their head tilted slightly back for about a minute. This gives the saline time to thin and loosen the mucus so the aspirator can actually pull it out. Without this step, thick or dried mucus will just sit there, and no amount of suction will move it.
You can buy infant saline drops at any pharmacy. They’re just saltwater, so they’re safe for newborns and can be used multiple times a day.
Position Your Baby
Lay your newborn on their back on a flat surface like a changing table or your lap. Some parents find it easiest to gently swaddle the baby’s arms first so tiny hands don’t swat the aspirator away. Tilt their chin up very slightly to open the nasal passages. You don’t need a dramatic head tilt, just enough that you can see into the nostrils clearly.
If your baby is squirmy, having a second person hold their head still for the few seconds of suctioning helps a lot. The electric NoseFrida is faster than mouth-powered versions, so each nostril only takes a few seconds.
How to Suction Each Nostril
Turn the device on before you bring it to your baby’s nose. Place the silicone tip gently at the opening of one nostril. You don’t need to push it inside the nose. Just create a light seal at the nostril’s edge and let the suction do the work. Hold it there for a few seconds, then remove it, empty the collection chamber if needed, and repeat on the other side.
The key is a gentle seal, not deep insertion. Pushing the tip too far into the nostril can hurt the delicate lining inside, cause swelling, or even trigger a nosebleed. If you see any bleeding, you’ve gone too deep or pressed too hard. Back off and try again more gently next time.
How Often You Can Suction
Pediatricians generally recommend suctioning up to 3 times a day, ideally right before feedings. Newborns are obligate nose breathers, meaning they breathe almost exclusively through their noses. Clearing congestion before a feed helps them breathe and eat at the same time without getting frustrated or breaking their latch.
Resist the urge to suction more than three times daily. Suctioning too frequently can actually irritate the nasal lining and cause more swelling and congestion than you started with. If your baby still seems stuffed up after three sessions, the saline drops alone (without suction) can help keep things loose between sessions.
Signs You Should Stop
A nosebleed during or after suctioning means you used too much force or inserted the tip too far. Increased swelling or congestion that gets worse after suctioning is a sign you’re doing it too often. Both of these are signals to give the nose a break. A little fussiness during the process is completely normal, but if your baby’s nostrils look red or irritated, skip the next session and let the tissue recover.
Fixing Weak Suction
If the electric NoseFrida doesn’t seem to be pulling anything out, check these common issues:
- Low battery. Charge the device fully and try again. A low battery is the most common cause of weak suction.
- Dirty parts. Mucus buildup in the silicone tip or collection chamber can block airflow. Clean both thoroughly.
- Wet parts. Reassembling the device while the chamber or tip is still damp can reduce suction. Make sure everything is completely dry before putting it back together.
- Loose assembly. The silicone tip and collection chamber need to be fitted together tightly. A loose connection lets air escape and kills suction power.
Cleaning After Each Use
After every session, disassemble the device and wash the silicone tip, collection chamber, and filter cap with warm soapy water. For the long thin tube, use a few drops of rubbing alcohol to clean the inside rather than submerging it in water.
Most of the hard parts are dishwasher safe, but the long thin tube and sponge filters are not. Those need to be hand-cleaned and dried completely before you store or reassemble them. Leftover moisture inside the device is a recipe for mold growth, so let every piece air dry thoroughly. Replacing the sponge filters regularly also keeps suction strong and the device hygienic.