**COLD / FLU / HAY FEVER REMEDY!!!**
Good morning!
Ella Grace gets some pretty gnarly allergies that get her clogged up so we've been giving her a sinus flush/neti pot rinse since she was little when she needs it. I decided to record us doing one before bed since it's one of our most frequently asked tutorials! 😂🙈
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Here are some benefits of a sinus flush/neti pot routine:
- Keeps nasal/sinus passages clear and free of irritants (prevents infections)
- Clears away mucus more effectively than a snot sucker (and we've tried lots!!!!!)
- Relieves sinus pressure by flushing out congestion
- Thins out mucus more effectively than a nasal spray so it can drain more easily
- Ayurvedic natural non-drug remedy
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We worked up different stages before we got to the "big bottle" flush. I let Ella Grace mostly lead me and she was quite clear whenever she was ready for the next stage.
1. Infant (check w dr if below 6m) - swaddled and laying down on a changing mat w a cloth underneath to absorb. Tilt body to the side and flush so it runs out the other nostril not to the back of her throat. Use the small one-time saline ampoules or in small doses so baby has time to process and take a breath between. The first few times is tricky at first as they are still learning how it works so lots of soothing, reassuring, prepping, talking through, explaining, empathizing. I also count down (like in swim lessons) so when I get to 3, she starts understanding and instinctively holds her breath.
2. Struggling Toddler : When they are a bit older but still struggle when you have to do it. Use a bath towel to swaddle and gently but firmly hold down head w your forearm. This is done for their safety so you can be quick and they won't inhale the saline into their lungs and choke/cough. The key at this stage is to get them familiar with it
3. Toddler: The older they get, the more they are able to reason and understand so you can take off the towel swaddle if they are good at holding still and holding their breath when you flush. (Quick flushes and age-appropriate holding of breath!) I count down and prepare her and she knows what is coming without being afraid that I will just do a sneak attack or when she isn't ready.
4. Toddler standing up: Once they can stand up, tilt their head to the side and stay there, you can move on to the big bottle. At first, she was really ticklish and would giggle giggle when the bottle came near. She still does this occasionally and I just laugh with her and then count down. Be mindful that with the big bottle, each flush is longer so build in time for her to take breaths between. Don't forget the cloth! 🤦🏻♀️🙈
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A couple things to note:
- Water MUST be filtered and boiled (and cooled down) or sterile. Never straight from the tap.
- Gravity does a majority of the work so tilting to the side really helps although the NeilMed bottle will also work upright.
- The idea is that the volume of saline going through the nasal/sinus passages helps to push out the junk so the key is pushing enough through but also keeping it short enough so they can take a breath between instead of inhaling while the saline is going through which causes them to get really upset when it goes down the wrong pipe!
- In a pinch or if traveling and you don't have supplies, you can either use sterile saline (used for flushing a wound or contact lens solution) w a sterile irrigation syringe or sterilized bulb aspirator bulb (snot sucker).
- Always discard leftovers and use a new batch of saline every time.
- We did this with the encouragement of our doctor because I also do it for my allergies and it helps tremendously in preventing a sinus infection and J does it when he gets a cold. If you have any medical concerns at all, please clear it w your doctor first!
- Never share bottles. We sterilize between flushes and label everyone's bottle so we don't mix them up. We also change our bottles every 3 months.
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Tips for helping w the struggle
- Be empathetic. I talk about this in my Toddler Wars workshop but you use similar strategies in working together instead of against each other. Talk them through it, prepare them for it, explain what you are doing and why, be firm but don't bully, validate their concerns, be understanding and build trust.
- Let them have some control over the things that they can control. Do you want to do it before your bath or after? Do you want to help me squeeze? Will you let me know when you are ready? etc
- We praise a lot for being brave and we tell her we are proud she tried even if she cries or gets upset. We make a ridiculously big deal when she is finished and make it a point to ask if she feels better after.
- I think more so than anything, Ella Grace really feels the difference before and after a flush and that's why she enjoys it. Frequently, if she's stuffed up or having an allergy attack, she asks for a "flush please mama" and it both breaks my heart and makes me so proud. ❤️❤️❤️
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We get our NeilMed Sinus Rinse supplies from m+ pharmacy. In America, they are available at most of the drugstores as well as Target and Walmart. In Singapore, they are available in Guardian.
Infants - NeilMed NasaDrops Saline on the Go single use ampules
Toddlers/Adults - NeilMed Sinus Rinse Kit (they actually make a smaller pediatric bottle but I haven't seen it in Malaysia 😅)
Refills - NeilMed Sinus Rinse Premixed Sachets
You don't necessarily have to use the premixed sachets but I find it very convenient and very gentle because it's pH balanced. Much easier than trying to figure out the math of the ratio of salt to water to baking soda without it stinging!
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Happy to answer questions (and bonus video 😂) in comments! Share, like and follow Racheal Kwacz Workshops for more.
