I am probably being completely foolish for even thinking that it is possible. But I was wondering if anyone has used them on their children, and how early you were able to do so? My son has the typical seasonal allergies sometimes, nothing I want to medicate him for though. He is very good at letting me "clean his nose" with saline spray, tissues and such. We have a cleaning routine when he is sick and he knows it makes him feel better. And he can blow his nose great, just not with a whole lot of force. (he is almost 2 1/2)
I have never used one. I'm not sure I can bring myself to do it. I know I should probably try it on myself first and then I'd have a better idea of if and when my son would put up with it. But I have problems putting things in my nose after being on nasal sprays for asthma as a kid. I don't want to do the same thing to my son, but I also think introducing things young can be a good thing because they can get used to it. So I thought I'd get other moms input first. Thanks!
PS- If there is different kind of this type of thing that might work better on kids, I'd like to hear about that also. I know nothing about any of them, just that people "swear by them".
Well, it sounds like he is too little, which is pretty much what I figured. Never hurts to ask though. I had already checked with the nurse at his ped's office and she basically told me "whenever he will let you do it". (not particularly helpful- lol). Part of what freaks me out about the netipot is the tipping your head thing, so I think I will definitely look at the other types mentioned here. I get seasonal allergies too, and would love to not suffer from them so much. And we do use zyrtec occasionally if its really bad. But I know zyrtec is one of those things that works best if used regularly, and I don't think he needs to be medicated regularly. Thanks for all the input, it definitely helped!
There is a nasal irrigator called Nasaline and they make a product for children. It's like a giant syringe. The water goes through the sinuses like the neti pot but you have to be very careful to be gentle as you are pushing the water through instead of letting gravity pull it through with the Neti pot. I tried the Neti pot first and then the Nasaline with my daughter when she was around 3. She now uses a Neti pot at 7.
My daughter, has used a neti pot, since she was 3.
My Husband taught her... so if she has a cold, she will even ask to use it.
But each child is different...
There is also something called "Little Noses" ....which is a nasal decongestant for kids... and it works well. I have found it at my local Long's drug store or CVS.
all the best,
Susan
I use it for both my kids and myself. My DD was 3 when I began. It really helps cut down on length of colds and allergies.
great question. I was wondering the same and am a little scared to try the neti myself.
There is another kind of nasal wash where you put the saline in a bottle and squeeze it. different than just regular saline spray. My cousin uses it and bought it at Rite aid or walgreens.
I don't have any experience with it myself, but a friend who is also a mother said their pediatrician used a spray bottle of saline and sprayed it in one nostril of their 3 month old and the water and gunk came out the other nostril, which sounds like what a neti pot does. You might just want to ask your dr. about it.
Also, I wanted to comment on the ear candle comment...those really don't work. After you burn the candle, you see what looks like earwax inside the candle, but it is just from the candle burning. You get the same effect if you stick the candle in a bottle and burn it.
I personally love my neti pot and I think you should try it on yourself just to see. The hardest part is holding your head at the right angle so that the saline goes up and through the sinuses and not down the throat. As long as the temperature and saline is right the water does not really burn in the nose but you do feel it. If your kid is cooperative you might be able to do it. It would probably help if he sees you do it to yourself and you would definately need to understand for yourself how to do it to be able to work it on him. Good Luck.
HI R.M.
'Tis the season - for allergies. That's great that your son let's you clean his nose. That's probably the best your going to be able to do right now at his age. I've had to use a type of Neti pot lately and even I have swallowed some of the salt water, which is like drinking ocean water - very salty. You might look into a cool mist vaporizer for night time, at least it will keep his nose moist. Most kids can't blow their nose very well just yet. If he's congested stick him in the bathroom when it's steamy, like when you take a shower or take a shower with him. If you need medication (last resort of course) I know my pediatrician has us use kids Zyrtec. It will knock them out, so maybe use it before bedtime. I use this rarely, but especially when he has lots of sneezing, itchy eyes, itchy nose.
Good luck
P.
Hello. I actually use the Neti Pot and love it. It really does work but I would not use it on a child. When you use it you have to be able to hold your breath for the first minute and then let it flow through your nose without swallowing or letting that liquid go up your nose or down your throat. A child cannot do that. I would say not before 7 unless you have a child who really can do what you say and be ok if it goes up their nose. As far as you trying it, I would highly recommend it not only for you but so you can understand what I am saying about your son. Just lean over the sink or do it in the shower and lean your head to one side and don't just hold your breath, kind of take your tongue on the back top of your throat and like you were going to blow your nose, stop liquid from going down. Pour in one side tilting your head and it will literally flow out the other side. You will clean out so much gunk you will be amazed it was in there. Dr Oz on tv says it does wonders and I have many friends who feel the same way. good luck!
The only way to go, in my opinion (was referenced by someone else, too), is the NeilMed sinus rinse bottle. No tipping and pouring - this has a straw that goes to the bottom. There is a pediatric size, but I'm not sure for how young. MUCH better than anything else.
So here's the trick (taught to us by a National Jewish nurse):
-mix the solution packet into the bottle with lukewarm water
-get out the kleenex and lean over the sink
-put the bottle up to your nostril and "blow out the candles" - blow pretty hard - literally like you would to blow out candles on a cake WHILE YOU
-squeeze the bottle gently and let the solution run out the other side of your nose
- blow your nose
-do half the bottle, repeat on the other side.
And to those afraid of doing it? I was terrified, but made myself. If my son could do it every day, sometimes twice a day, I had to see how it was for him.
Also, nasal sprays don't do anything like this - they moisturize, but will not rinse everything out. Trust me - it's not always pretty.
My son has no allergies, but nonallergic rhinitis. He was never able to breathe through his nose until we started using this - every evening (at least one hour b/f bed) when healthy, twice a day when not. Can't even begin to tell you how much it has helped him.
Hope this helps!
Me & my husband neti pot & our kids have watched, but neither were willing to try & you would need full cooperation. It does feel weird & if your irritated in your nasal passages, can feel like it does when you get in a pool with lots of chlorine. It takes a minute or two then you get used to it. You do have to be careful because you can force the solution into the ears & cause problems there. So I stick with 2-3 squirts of saline in each nostril 3 times a day. This keeps the passages moist & better prepared to get things out. Children's sinus cavities aren't developed & I would consult a pediatrician before attemping to know all the risks. If the water is cold, it burns & is uncomfortable. If the water is too warm, then you can burn the nasal passages. If you are keeping things clean properly, then you can introduce bacteria & make a bad situation worse. I would definately have you do it on yourself before trying it on your child. So you can explain to them what to do & how it feels. Yes, you may swallow some depending on the angle of you head. tricky thing.
You also may want to consider "ear candle-ing" as it is a great way to get some of the gunky drainage from the ears cleaned out that is collected during allergy drainage. It is painless and much easier than "flushing" which was scarey to me as a child so I harbor horrible memories of that! Ear candling is a warm feeling with a little crackle sound as the wax melts and clears the canal. You can find the ear candles in healthfood stores or the like. Just cut a hole in the middle of a paper plate and insert the long candle so this catches the ash from the candle itself. Have the child try to lie still while the candle burns down, sort of like an incense. There are directions with the candles, usally. But take it from me who has gone through a ton of ear issues as a child, this is way more relaxing and less scarey than flushing to get the gook out. Hope this helps.
There is another option for little ones called a salt pipe. Here's a great link with lots of information.
http://www.saltrocks.org/
I could never get the hang of the Neti pot, but I have for years simply sniffed saline solution directly from my hand. It's possible to get really good control of the quantity that way, and I never worry about inhaling such a snootful that I choke on it. I call it my "nose gargle." Works great.
Just use Ocean Drops...nasal saline spray. Same thing, just not suggested as a rinse. However, if you have him lean forward and breathe through his mouth while "mommy makes bubbles for his nose", he may get the added benefits that a neti pot produces.
Try a "Nosefrida" -- http://wp.me/p9IBz-Fk
My husband does a variation of a Neti pot, but I can't bring myself to do anything along those lines - it sets off a "drowning" reflex in my mind just thinking about it. I would not do that to a small child, because I don't think he'll have the understanding and ability to work it right.
