What is Sinus Rinsing?
Sinus rinsing, or nasal irrigation, involves moving a saline solution through the nasal passages to help loosen dry mucus and flush potential debris or irritants . The process is often done with spray bottles, rubber nasal bulbs and neti pots.
However, it’s important to understand the difference between devices. Not all nasal irrigation is alike.
How Are Sterile Saline Nasal Sprays Different from Neti Pots?
Sterile saline nasal sprays are a pre-made solution, whereas neti pots are a sinus rinsing device (typically resembling teapots with long spouts) that involve making your own saline solution.
Neti pots are effective for flushing your nose, but they may also prove overly clunky for your child, and you need to be especially precise when making your solution. Conversely, sterile saline nasal sprays are smaller and more convenient for daily use.
ARM & HAMMER™ Simply Saline™ Nasal Sprays are drug-free and come in various formats, with a ready-to-use can. One of those, ARM & HAMMER™ Simply Saline™ JR Nasal Mist , can be used to help relieve symptoms of a dry, irritated nose and flush dust, dirt, pollen and congestion from your toddler’s or newborn’s nasal and sinus passages. It’s made from simple ingredients - water, salt and baking soda - with no preservatives and has a sterile, tapered nozzle.
Why Should I Flush My Kid’s Nose?
Saline nasal spray can help flush your kid’s nose of crusty or thicker mucus and potential allergens that may have found their way into their nasal passages. Unlike medicated nasal sprays, saline nasal sprays are made of only salt and water.
Saline nasal sprays are drug-free and will not make your child tired or excitable, like some decongestants or antihistamines. Additionally, rinsing the nasal passages with a saline nasal spray does not take long. The results may be more immediate than waiting for medication(s) to kick in.
If your child is worn down by a stuffy or runny nose, constantly sneezing or is having trouble breathing through their nose, saline nasal sprays can help—and are quick and easy to use. However, you should not use saline nasal spray for irrigation if your child has an ear infection or total blockage in one or both nostrils . That’s time for a visit to your child’s pediatrician for advice and other medication.
At What Age Can I Flush My Kid’s Nose?
You can use some saline nasal sprays, like ARM & HAMMER™ Simply Saline™ JR Nasal Mist , for newborns and small children. It is drug-free and provides a comforting mist that works gently on babies of all ages.
When your baby is fussy and frustrated by a stuffy nose that makes eating and playtime no fun, you'll do anything to help make it better. You probably received one of those balloon-shaped baby boogie tools at the hospital, but those can be hard to use and they don't moisturize baby's delicate nose.
Check with your doctor about using a saline nasal spray to help clear baby's nose in minutes, so you can get back to smiles and snuggles.
Can I Use Tap Water as a Nasal Flush?
No, you cannot use tap water to flush your kid’s nose. According to the FDA , nasal irrigation is only safe with distilled, sterile, or previously boiled water.
ARM & HAMMER™ Simply Saline™ Nasal Spray is designed for nasal irrigation. Plus, it’s sterile and provides an easy-to-use alternative to neti pots.
How to Flush Your Kid’s Nose
Feeling antsy about your child’s stuffy nose and constant sneezing? Whether you’re a brand-new parent or have a pair of toddlers running around the house, try ARM & HAMMER™ Simply Saline™ JR Nasal Mist to irrigate your kid’s nose and rinse their sinuses. Be sure to follow the instructions on the back of the bottle:
1. Check Your Saline Nasal Spray
Expel a short burst of mist into the air to ensure your saline nasal spray bottle is working properly. You should probably do this before each application, but especially if you have not used the spray in some time.
2. Tilt the Head to the Side
Tilt your child’s head to the side over the sink. You will have to do this yourself if you have a newborn or toddler. If your child is a bit older, you can supervise them and guide them through this process. Have them switch sides depending on which nostril you’re inserting the spray bottle into.
3. Insert Nozzle and Irrigate
With your kid’s head tilted, insert the tip of the saline nasal spray bottle into the nostril and depress on the textured area at the base of the nozzle so a gentle mist fills the sinus passages and flows out the nostrils.
4. Repeat
Repeat steps 2 and 3 in the other nostril.
How to Moisturize Your Kid’s Nose
If your child is fussy about a crusty nose or rubbing that area throughout the day, you can also use ARM & HAMMER™ Simply Saline™ JR Nasal Mist to gently moisturize your child’s dry nasal passages. Follow the instructions on the back of the spray bottle:
1. Check
Expel a brief burst of mist to verify the saline nasal spray bottle is working.
2. Insert Nozzle
For moisturizing, you do not need to tilt your infant’s or child’s head over the sink. Simply insert the nozzle into the nostril at a vertical angle.
3. Spray
Press down briefly on the textured area at the base of the nozzle so a mist gently coats nasal passages.
4. Repeat
Repeat steps 2 and 3 in the other nostril.
Why is Baking Soda in ARM & HAMMER™ Simply Saline™ Nasal Sprays?
The mixture of water, salt, and baking soda in ARM & HAMMER™ Simply Saline™ Nasal Sprays relieves symptoms of a dry, irritated nose and flushes dust, dirt, pollen and congestion from nasal and sinus passages.
Adults Can Use Saline Nasal Spray, Too!
Your kids likely aren’t the only ones who deal with dryness and nasal irritants. Fortunately, you can use saline nasal sprays, too! Whether you are looking for a daily use spray or one that can address seasonal congestion, ARM & HAMMER™ Simply Saline™ products can help you irrigate and moisturize your nose and rinse your sinuses so you can feel closer to your best self.
Try some of the following saline nasal sprays to help flush your nose and relieve symptoms of a dry, irritated nose. Follow the directions on the back of the bottle, which are the same as the steps listed above for irrigating and moisturizing.
- Simply Saline™ Daily Care, Instant Relief for Everyday Congestion is safe to use as often as needed and doctor recommended for use with prescription and over-the-counter allergy and cold medications.
- Simply Saline™ Allergy & Sinus, Instant Relief for Seasonal Congestion helps relieve seasonal congestion associated with pollen, dust, grass, hay fever and pet dander.
- Simply Saline™ Extra Strength, Instant Relief for Severe Congestion helps naturally relieve severe congestion and sinus pressure associated with allergies, cold, and flu.
- Simply Saline™ Extra Strength with Eucalyptus, Instant Relief for Nighttime Congestion helps soothe, moisturize and relieve severe congestion to help you breathe easy throughout the day and night.
