Aspirator Truth…What’s Inside?

OK, you guys. Brace yourselves. I have something really gross to talk about today. And I’ve got pictures to accompany my words.

Nasal aspirators. Those familiar blue bulbs everyone goes home from the hospital along with their newborn. Have you seen the pictures that have circulated the internet about people who’ve cut open their babies nasal aspirators and the inside is disgusting and wrought with mold? About a year ago it seemed like they were everywhere! I had seen them, and I have a son – so it concerned me. I decided to take a look at our options and see what else was out there in the mucous-removing market. Pretty much all I found was one where it seemed like you stuck a tube up your kids nose and sucked the boogers out. I decided that was definitely NOT the option for us. There were also 2 piece aspirators that could be taken apart to be cleaned. We snagged one of those and the very first time I squeezed it to unclog a nose, it popped into two pieces. I like the idea of being able to clean it, but it I can’t even use it…it’s not going to work out either.

So the decision was made. We were going to use the regular aspirator! We could be diligent about cleaning out our trusty old one-piece hospital-issued aspirator. I mean, they give them out all the time, they can’t be that bad, right? And really, you can’t believe everything you read, right?

I’m a visual and experimental learner. I like to see things and do things to help me understand them. So, eventually I decided to do my own experiment. I was going to cut the aspirator open and see for myself what it really looked like inside. Remember, we’d been using it for about 2 years by this point. But we’ve been rinsing, shaking, and squeezing it out to remove any water or debris left inside. I was sure there wouldn’t be much, if anything, to find when I cut it open. I’m very skeptical as I begin cutting. It took a while to work through the thick rubber with my scissors!

Finally, I’d made some headway and gotten inside! And here is what I saw…..

Seriously. GROSS. This was sitting on my sons dresser. GOING UP HIS NOSE! O.M.G.

OK, so now comes the important part. What can we do about it?

So, with the new baby on the way, I’ve done some research about the other options that have come on to the market as more light is being shed on this issue. I’ve compiled a few of the best, based on reviews and sales – I haven’t personally tested any of these yet!

Amazon affiliate links:

NoseFrida The Snotsucker Nasal Aspirator

Graco NasalClear Nasal Aspirator

Little Martin’s Drawer Battery Operated Baby Nasal Aspirator

Premium Nasal Aspirator by BaeLove for Babies of All Ages 

 

What I want you to learn from all of this, is not to make my same mistake! Do your research and find another aspirator that can be cleaned and works well for you. Unless you want to buy a new one of these each week.