Snotty little noses mean interrupted sleep and grumpy tots, so getting baby’s nose nice and clear is essential. And that’s where a baby snot sucker (charming, we know!) comes in so handy.

What is a snot sucker?

A snot sucker is also known as a nasal aspirator and it’s a device specifically created to help clear a baby’s nasal passages because they can’t blow their noses yet. There are a few different types of snot suckers, from battery-powered aspirators to ‘parent-powered’ options. And the difference between the two is that one is manual and the other only electric, requiring just the push of a button to clear a baby’s nasal passage.

It’s very common for babies to get blocked noses, mucus build-up and congestion so having a nasal aspirator in your first aid kit is a must.

11 Best Snot Suckers For Clearing Babies’ Noses

We consulted our huge community of parents to point you towards the most user-friendly snot suckers available in Australia. Whether you’re looking for a budget-friendly manual device or a whizz-bang electric aspirator that does all of the heavy lifting for you, you’ll find it in this helpful list.

FridaBaby NoseFrida Snot Sucker, $14.45

A favourite ‘booger buster’ among Australian parents, the Swedish-made NoseFrida was invented by a doctor to be a safe and non-invasive way to clear baby congestion hygienically. What sets it apart from others is that it comes with removal, disposable filters that prevent bacteria from sticking around or transferring to other objects. This set comes with four filters, a ‘booger catcher’, a nose hose and a safe mouthpiece for parents to suck on. The nasal tube, filter cap and mouthpiece are all dishwasher safe.

Pigeon Nose Cleaner, $13.99

With this classic manual snot sucker, the bulb is pressed to clear the air out of the device before placing the nozzle into your baby’s nose. A simple release of the bulb will suction any mucus or snot easily out of the nasal passage. The ultra-soft safety nozzle is gentle on sweet little noses and it even comes with a nozzle cap to keep it squeaky clean between uses. It comes apart easily for cleaning.

Oricom Rechargeable Aspirator for Babies, $84.95

With an ergonomic design and handy USB-rechargeable battery, the Oricom Nasal Aspirator for babies is as simple as inserting and pushing a button. There’s no squeezing required and all the work to clear out stuffy noses is done for you. One of the best features of this electronic snot sucker is that it’s super quiet, so if you prefer trying to clear your baby’s nose while they’re sleeping, this one is a fantastic option. To clean it, pull the pieces apart and rinse them with soapy water.

Fess Little Noses Saline Spray and Snot Sucker Set, $11.99

Sometimes snot is tricky to budge! That’s where a non-medicated saline solution comes into its own by helping to loosen and thin mucus so that the snot sucker can do its job. Fess offers budget-friendly sets with preservative-free saline drops or spray, plus a Little Noses snot sucker. It’s suitable for newborns right through to two years of age. A very great product to have in the medicine cabinet.

Dreambaby Nasal Aspirator, $4

Coming in at less than $5, this is one of the most affordable snot suckers on the market. It has a soft tip that fits comfortably inside tiny nostrils and an easy-use manual operation. Just squeeze the bulb, insert it into baby’s nose and gently release the bulb to suck out all that trouble-making snot. Its small size makes it easy to pop in the nappy bag and it comes apart in seconds for cleaning and disinfecting.

Braun Electric Nasal Aspirator for Babies, $55.99

Ultra-efficient, the Braun Nasal Aspirator clears stuffy noses in mere moments thanks to its innovative and stress-free design. Position it in any orientation and it gently sucks out problem-causing mucus from baby’s nose. Quiet and comfortable, this battery-operated device comes with two different-sized nasal tips so it can be used by babies and toddlers.

 Haakaa Easy-Squeezy Snot Sucker, $12.15

Made using 100% food-grade silicone that is free from latex, BPA and Phthalates, the Haakaa is small enough to keep on hand right through the cold season. The suction strength is easy to adjust with simple manual operation and the clear bottle makes it easy to see how much mucus is collected. We love that it has a very small opening at the top, suitable for even the tiniest of babies and that the two-piece design makes it a cinch to clean. This one is suitable to boil and sterilise too.

Green Sprouts Nasal Aspirator for Babies, $33.29

Convenient and fuss-free, this snot sucker from Green Sprouts has an easy-to-use petroleum-free bulb that manually extracts mucus from little noses. The super-soft tip comes with a handy cover to keep it hygienic while you’re on the move, and in a lovely bright green colour – it will be easy to spot in the nappy bag! Naturally, this little beauty is non-toxic, BPA and PVC-free.

Bubzi Co. Manual Baby Snot Sucker, $19.95

Thoughtfully designed to be effective and hygienic, the Bubzi Co manual snot sucker offers fast and powerful relief for babies. A little different to bulb aspirators, this one works by placing the aspirator’s baby-safe tip into the nose and then gently sucking on the end of the silicone hose – but don’t worry! The mouthpiece is designed to stop any mucus from coming in contact with your mouth.  It’s safe to sterilise and comes in a BPA-free plastic storage case.

Chicco Baby Nose Cleaner, $6.99

Sucking snot out of a squirmy and overtired baby can be tricky, so having an ergonomically shaped nasal aspirator is vital! Made in Italy, the Chicco snot sucker has a specially shaped bumb that makes it easy for parents to grip at any angle – and in the dark! Suitable from birth, it comes with a soft anatomical spout that is ultra-delicate on baby’s sensitive nasal areas.

Béaba Baby Grooming Set with Aspirator, $99.95

Take care of a whole lot of baby needs with this brilliant grooming set, which includes a nasal aspirator. This type of aspirator involves mum or dad sucking on the end of a tube, while the snot sucker is placed into the baby’s nose. Don’t worry, you’re not going to suck snot up into your mouth, it’s all caught in a separate chamber! Other goodies include nail scissors, a thermometer, a hairbrush and a handy travel bag.

Types of snot suckers for babies

Manual – Also known as a ‘bulb sucker’ these aspirators use simple suction created within a rubber bulb to suck out baby’s snot. It works in the same way as a turkey baster!

Electric – An electric snot sucker is battery-powered and does all of the work for you. Just pop the end into bub’s nose and press the button and the suction does its thing.

Oral - These use a parent’s suction and a tube to help draw mucus out of baby’s nose. There’s a filter that stops any snot from travelling into your mouth of course!

Saline Solution – This is a non-medicated, baby-safe saline solution that is sprayed up little noses before suctioning. It helps loosen the mucus and makes it easier for the aspirator to work.

How to use a snot sucker?

The way you use a snot sucker depends on which type you’re using. If you’re using a manual snot sucker, simply squeeze the bulb with your fingers to release the air, then place the tip into baby’s nose. Then release the bulb and the suction will draw out any mucus and snot. With an electric nasal aspirator, just pop the tip into bub’s nose and press the button. It’s like a mini vacuum cleaner that will draw out any muck in baby’s nose. To use an oral nasal aspirator, place the tube end in your mouth and the tip of the aspirator in bub’s nose. Then suck!

Tips from other parents:

The comments below were submitted on Facebook in response to a #momanswer about how to use a snot sucker.

“I had more success doing it while she was asleep, but she’s always been a heavy sleeper (like her father) so she squirmed a little when I first started but never woke up” (Yvonne)

“Wrap first, so hands are out of the way” (Karina)

“You squeeze the air out of it before you put it in bubs nose then release otherwise you just blow air into bubs nose” (Carrie)

“Swaddle baby first – block the other nostril with your finger, squeeze the blob part before you put it up bub’s nose, then insert and let go. Remove, squeeze out gunk onto tissue, and repeat!” (Beth)

“I always find something to keep her hands busy and attention elsewhere while I laugh and play with her, otherwise it’s tears at the start of trying anything new. Once they’re used to it, you should have a better time with it” (Maricela)

“I found using it in the bath, or in a steamy bathroom, whilst someone else distracted them worked well. Block one nostril with a finger” (Caitlin)

Is a manual or electric nasal aspirator best?

This is all down to personal preference and budget. Some parents are put off by the idea of sucking their baby’s snot out using an oral aspirator. But others like the control they have over the amount of suction.

If you’re looking for a budget-beating option, the manual snot sucker is the way to go. It’s easy to use and cheap. Or if you want a more hands-off approach, the electric option might be best for your family.

How often should you suction a baby’s nose?

The general consensus among medical professionals is to limit suctioning a baby’s nose to no more than four times a day. Otherwise, you may end up irritating their sensitive little nose. If you’re finding bub is still blocked up after suctioning, it may be worth trying a steam vaporiser or humidifier in their room.

Are you a brand that thinks your nose aspirator should be included in our guide? Contact us, we’d love to hear from you!