Toddlers and snot seem to be one of life’s great combinations, yet trying to get them to blow their nose on anything but your lounge or the clean top you’ve just put on is apparently impossible.
If you’ve balked at the snot-sucking wonder of the Nosefrida and the saline solution isn’t quite cutting it, then get a load of this mum’s hack for unblocking those poor little noses.
The video, posted to Facebook, shows a mum and her seriously cute daughter. Mum distracts the toddler with the camera, before shooting a syringe full of water (presumably saline) up one of her nostrils.
Now for the gross bit – the water comes rushing out of the other nostril, complete with a full stream
snot.
Parents divided
During the clip, you can see the little girl laughing and giggling. But as you can see from the comments, the 21 million viewers are divided as to if this is good parenting or not. Take a look for yourself.
Some parents do think the mum is onto something with her snot removing technique:
“Mum is on point! Had a plan and executed it with purpose. She was quick yet gentle, used the camera as distraction which worked perfectly. She was calm and reassured baby hence the happy child.. well done mama!! More humane than sucking it out!”
Other parents have been quick to question whether this is safe, with one commenter saying:
“Looks good and eases child BUT errrrm Dry or secondary drowning springs to mind. I wouldn’t do it too risky.”
Is it safe?
And it’s not just parents weighing in. Medical professionals who joined the debate are divided on whether this is safe for your kids or not.
One commenter calls out others’ advice, identifying themselves as a respiratory therapist, saying:
“As an RT with multiple degrees in medicine let me assure you that working in a PICU with very sick RSV babies we did in fact use saline flushes to help with the patients that were aggregate nose breathers and were congested. This did not cause pneumonia and it certainly didn’t harm them.”
But this children’s nurse is quick to disagree: “This is not a safe practice. It can lead to choking and aspiration which could result in a pneumonia. But what do I know. I’m only a children’s nurse.”
Doctor knows best
When it comes to health care for our kids, it’s obviously always safest to check with the experts. The Western Australia Health Department have advice for nasal irrigation, but if you’re unsure check with your doctor.
Meanwhile, we’re just wondering how on earth she got her toddler to sit still for this in the first place!
Love a good Mum hack? Check out this great hack for getting babies to take their medicine.
