By Brook McHugh, M.D. — Pediatric Alliance, Chartiers/McMurray Division
I’m sure every parent can agree that stuffy noses in babies are incredibly frustrating. As a parent and a pediatrician, I’ve tried everything: bulb syringe, nasal saline, battery powered nasal suction… and the list goes on. Recently, a mother of one of my patients told me about the NoseFrida. My daughter was currently in the midst of an upper respiratory tract infection, so I figured I’d give it a try. Here is the manufacturer’s description:
NoseFrida The Snotsucker, the doctor-developed and doctor-recommended nasal aspirator is the new standard in keeping babies naturally snot free. Ingeniously simple Swedish design features a tube that is placed against the nostril (not inside). Parents use their own suction to draw mucus out of their child’s nose. Disposable filters prevent any bacterial transfer. NoseFrida is easy to clean, dishwasher safe, and BPA and phthalate-free. It is superior to the bulb aspirator, presents no risk or harm to internal nasal structures and is dramatically more efficacious.
You know what? It worked great! I can’t say my daughter really liked it any better than the bulb syringe, but it was highly effective at clearing out her stuffy nose. However, it has one major drawback. The disposable filters prevent bacterial transfer; however, it is not going to protect against viral transfer. It sure is a good thing your child’s snot cannot enter your mouth with this device, but you are still inhaling microscopic droplets with respiratory virus directly into your lungs, so you are bound to get sick too. If you figure that you would probably get their cold anyway, then this device is probably worth a try.
The NoseFrida can be purchased at most baby stores for about $15.
(Editor’s Note: It’s amazing the things we learn from the parents of our patients! You help make us be better pediatricians, but also better parents for our own children! Nevertheless, Pediatric Alliance and The PediaBlog do not advertise or endorse specific retail products.)
(Image: fridababy.com)