How to Get Dry Boogers Out of a Baby's Nose

Dry, stubborn boogers are one of the most common things new parents deal with, especially during cold season. The quickest fix: soften them first with saline, steam, or a humidifier, then gently lift out the ones you can see with a tool made for tiny noses. Here's exactly how to do it safely.

Between cold and allergy season, daycare germs, travel, and dry winter air, little noses get a lot of wear. And a stuffed up baby often can't sleep or eat well, which means an unhappy baby and very tired parents. The good news? There are safe, simple ways to help.

What causes dry boogers in babies?

Babies breathe mostly through their noses, and their nasal passages are tiny, so even a little dried mucus can make breathing feel harder. Common causes include:

• Dry indoor air. Winter heating and low humidity dry out the mucus in your baby's nose.
• Colds, allergies, or RSV. Extra mucus from being sick can dry into crusty clumps.
• Not enough fluids. When babies are a little low on fluids, mucus gets thicker and drier. Here's how to tell if your baby is dehydrated.
• Some medications. Medicines like antihistamines can dry out the nose.
• Reduced airflow. When the nose is already stuffy, less air moves through and mucus has more time to dry.

How to get dry boogers out of a baby's nose

1. Soften them first.
Dry boogers come out much more easily (and more comfortably) once they're softened. Try one of the next three tips before you remove anything.

2. Use saline drops or spray.
A few saline drops in each nostril help loosen dried mucus so it can be gently lifted or wiped away. Wait about a minute to let it work. Always follow the directions for your baby's age. Our guide on how to use saline on babies and kids walks through it step by step.

3. Try steam.
A warm bath, or sitting with your baby in a steamy bathroom for a few minutes, helps soften crusty boogers. Right after bath time is one of the easiest times to clean a little nose.

4. Run a cool mist humidifier.
Keeping a cool mist humidifier in your baby's room adds moisture to the air and helps keep noses from drying out in the first place, especially overnight.

5. Gently lift them out with the right tool.
Suction works well for runny mucus, but traditional aspirators often can't grab pesky dried clumps. That's where the oogiebear booger picker comes in. Its patented scoop tip is made for dry boogers, the loop end grabs sticky mucus, and the bear head safety bumper prevents it from going too far into tiny noses. Doctor designed, reusable, and gentle enough for newborns.

How to use a booger picker, step by step

1. Soften first. Use saline or steam so boogers slide out easily.
2. Get good light. Daylight works, or try the booger picker with a LED light, which lights up the nose so you can see what you're doing, even during nighttime wakeups.
3. Get comfy and steady. Lay your baby on their back or hold them securely in your lap. A second set of hands helps with wiggly babies.
4. Scoop gently. Use the scoop end to lift out dry boogers you can see near the opening of the nostril. Use the loop end for sticky mucus. Never dig deeper than you can see.
5. Clean up. Wash the picker with warm soapy water and let it dry. If the skin around your baby's nose looks red or chapped from wiping, a little nose to toe balm helps soothe it.

What not to do

• Never use fingers or cotton swabs. They can scratch delicate nasal passages or push boogers further in. A baby specific tool with a safety bumper is a much gentler option.
• Don't go digging. Only remove boogers you can see. The rest will usually work their way out once softened.
• Don't overdo it. Cleaning too often can irritate your baby's nose. Focus on before feedings and before sleep, when a clear nose helps most.
• Skip cold medicines unless your pediatrician recommends them. Over the counter cough and cold medicines aren't recommended for young children, so always check with your pediatrician first.

When to call your pediatrician

Most dry boogers are just a normal part of babyhood. Call your pediatrician if your baby:

• Is under 3 months old and has a fever of 100.4°F or higher
• Is breathing fast, flaring their nostrils, grunting, or the skin between their ribs pulls in with each breath
• Is feeding much less than usual or has fewer wet diapers
• Has congestion that lasts longer than 10 days or keeps getting worse
• Has a fever along with thick nasal mucus, ear pulling, or unusual fussiness
• Has frequent nosebleeds, or you think something may be stuck in their nose

If your baby is struggling to breathe, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

The easy way to keep little noses clear

Every baby deals with stuffy noses during cold and flu season (and beyond). Instead of struggling with fingers or tools that don't work on dry boogers, keep an oogiebear booger picker in the nursery and one in the diaper bag. Dealing with runny noses too? The bear pair nose & ear kit pairs the picker with our bulb aspirator, so you're ready for every kind of booger.

For more ways to help your little one breathe easier, read seven ways to relieve baby congestion and how to help a sick baby sleep better at night.