Nosefrida

Have you heard of the Nosefrida?  It's the Swedish nose aspirator where you need to literally "suck" the snot out of your baby's nose.  Sounds weird and kinda gross, but it's totally hygienic and safe.  We heard about it from Michael's sister who uses it on her kids.  At first, I was grossed out at the thought of it, but we heard that it was very effective.  I looked it up online, and apparently, it's highly rated and even a best seller on Amazon.  I even watched videos of people using it on their kids on YouTube.  Looked very weird and the thought of it made me feel like gagging, but I figured, if it works, why not?  We ended out receiving one at our baby shower. I played with it a bit before the baby came, and had the same worry -- what if the baby's snot and boogers go all the way up to my end of the tube?!

Anyways, fast forward about 2 months, and here we are.  Abigail sometimes gets congested with snot, especially after crying.  During those times, she has such a hard time breathing, especially when I'm trying to feed her.  I tried using the aspirator bulb that we got at the hospital, but it wasn't that effective because it seemed like just as soon as I'd get everything out, it'd all get sucked back in when she'd inhale.  :(  So I decided to use the Nosefrida.   I had to psych myself up a bit first and watch videos online of people using it.  Looked so easy, and it didn't seem like anyone else was gagging or grossed out while using it, so I gave it a try.  WOW.  Fast, easy and SUPER EFFECTIVE.  I see now that it really is safe to use (for both the baby and me).  

Of course, Michael refuses to try it on Abbie.  He's still grossed out by the idea of using it.  But I guess it's the mother in me that will do anything in order to help my baby feel better.

If you've never heard of it, you may be have a hard time envisioning what the heck I'm talking about....so here's what it looks like:

It's basically a mouth controlled vacuum that you use on your child's nose.  You put your mouth on the red mouth piece, and put the light blue slightly pointed tip up against the opening of your child's nose.  Then, just suck.  If you're using it correctly, it's impossible for anything to get sucked up to your side of the Nosefrida.  There's a (darker blue) filter there that will block any particles from passing through to your side.  It's just make sure to change the filter often; it's not something you rinse or wash and can reuse.

I've become quite good and comfortable at using it.  Abbie, on the other hand, isn't so crazy about it....but what baby likes getting their nose cleaned?!   She usually squirms the whole time and sometimes cries, but it's so obvious that she feels so much better after her airway is cleaned out.  I love it, and highly recommend it!  It's definitely something that I would want to get for a friend as a baby shower gift.