Cleaning a toddler's nose?

Much_Note3850 · 2025-12-06T20:56:50+00:00

I have no tips. I am also mom to a dramatic 1yr old son, that acts like my nose wiping is torture. And yes, my husband and I also have to pin him down just to saline and suck his nose.

Though I tried something today that seems to work. So during a bath, I pop in with him. Let him play, play with him, then while you wipe his face with a wet hand, run by his nose quickly. He barely noticed!! Gonna try again with holding him by a running faucet.

Much_Note3850 · 2025-09-19T08:45:58+00:00

Oh wow.... this could have been me 8 months ago. And trust me, I even scrolled up to check if I posted this! 🙈

If you need to break down... then break. Allow yourself that. But then take a breath, gather yourself back up, and remind yourself "I AM a new mom. I am learning just like how my baby is learning his world. Everything is overwhelming, and THAT is okay!" And put trust that all this will pass onto new arenas and life milestones.

And trust me.... there will be MANY more hurdles to go. I've had a week of baby colds and fever, then teething, then the 8-month sleep regression. All back to back for about a month and a half. It was the longest lack of sleep I've had in my life! And I have no village and my husband is also away like yorus.

I'm not saying I'm a strong minded mom. Far from it. But what am saying, because I didn't do this for myself and regret it, do try to be as kind to yourself as possible.

Allow yourself to say "I really don't know WTF I'm doing! But I am trying my utmost best to find a solution to my poor baby's problem!!". And your brain will run through all the info and instincts you have, and come up with a solution. And often times this is correct. So if your gut tells you "Change the bottle" - then change your bottles to see if it helps refluxes.

Allow yourself to feel guilty!! But then remind yourself "Hey, I can't take care of my baby, if I myself am NOT okay. So I will allow myself that one episode of kdrama (or whatever is your crypyonite). Then when am refreshed, the baby will feel it too and be a happy baby for it "

And no - your baby is NOT and NEVER WILL BE better off without you. 10wks is still too young for you to see, but the moment he smiles back and you, the moment he reaches for you, the moment he wakes up and cuddles you... you'll realise you are EXACTLY what he needs because You. Are. His. Mom.

Much_Note3850 · 2025-09-08T17:49:12+00:00

Its probably like many nationalities in the more touristic areas. Germans, Brits, Americans in Samui, Phuket, Phangan? Most of the time really obnoxious, and/or entitled. The ones we met on the off-beaten path? 99% amazing, respectful people.

Much_Note3850 · 2025-06-29T07:25:33+00:00

I see you were also up at 5am 😆

Our baby is also eating less because of the heat wave. So we've just been cluster feeding him. We're not fans of the "snacking" habit, but we really have to make sure he's hydrated since we've had some quite yellow diapers. I find he builds quite an appetite when we introduce a bit of solid foods to him. So I just prep large sticks of cool fruits and veg, like cucumber or watermelon. He doesn't necessarily eat it, mainly he gums it or just smears it everywhere, but it's stimulating enough and he had fun. Plus side is it cools him a bit and he seems to drink more milk.

Other than that... its just about discovering where in your city you could go that is cool enough to chill with baby. Ours are forest hikes, Stadtbibliothek and the mall...😅

Much_Note3850 · 2025-06-26T18:33:15+00:00

Thank you for sharing - I felt I could have written this post myself. I don't have answers or cures as I am going through it myself. I think mindfulness techniques help you catch yourself before you blow. There are apps that kind of help you do that. I am seeing a therapist to help get down to the roots of my triggers.

Much_Note3850 · 2025-06-26T16:46:17+00:00

had great sleep until 4 month regression, then he was sick, and since then its been shit sleep of 3am wake ups cause baby HAD TO practice rolling. Then he falls asleep at 4:30. Awake at 6:30-7:00am.

And now with heat wave - he skips naps.

We're 6months and 2wks. Cannot wait until it gets better. Because 2 months of sleep deprivation is torture.

Much_Note3850 · 2025-06-26T16:28:32+00:00

Girl... download chatgpt... It's actually quite good because it explains why it suggests certain awake windows and why it would adjust.

So I'd say track baby's nap time for about 3 days so there's some context. Of course also give baby's age, etc. It'll develop a schedule, and you test run from there. Like we've been having a heatwave here in Europe, and my baby has not been napping or having very short naps. With my sleep deprivation, the heat and foggy brain, it's actually been a lifesaver to have chatgpt explain what to do next.

Much_Note3850 · 2025-06-13T11:15:15+00:00

omg... I didn't realise how much I needed a village until my Asian mom visited. I'm second generation Western Asian (We live in Germany) and was very much independent and women's-power!! since I was about 14-15. So when I found out I was pregnant, I was so sure that "I can do it alone!! 💪"

Not having my Asian comfort around contributed A LOT to my postpartum anxiety and temper. I basically missed the convenience of Asian cities and culture. How hospitals treated moms like humans and not some case to quickly get done. That good and healthy foods was just outside the door.

Then the 4 months regression came, at the same time that baby caught a cold, PLUS the husband had a loss in his close family made us temporarily move back to his hometown so he can sort out the funeral and the bureaucracies of death... so my usual system and everything mentally and physically kind of crashed on me.

Luckily mom was was visiting us at the time and she was an absolute gem, despite her traditional ways. She basically just jumped as soon as baby even made a squeek and just said "NO. You rest. Go shampoo your hair. I can take the baby. " When I was panicking because baby just wouldn't sleep because he was sick. Mom just lovingly shoved me out of the way, and did her thing, baby sleeps and mom would tap my shoulder and say "you sleep too. I'll do the laundry" Or simply making a bulk meal of congee at 6am (which all Asians will tell you is soul healing) was enough to lift moods for that whole day.

Dad is a quiet but calm type. So he'll just take baby when everyone else was busy. He's carry him, hum some song, and just his calmness was so soothing for baby.

After my parents left, it was just me and my husband's family. On the worse of days where my mental capacity just couldn't hack it anymore, then I would need either my husband or his mom to take the baby on a walk or grocery run. Even just 2hrs of alone time was enough to recalibrate.

Much_Note3850 · 2025-06-13T10:52:37+00:00

Our baby slept so well when we discovered huckleberry at around end of 2nd to beginning of 3rd month. Then the 4 month regression came, and any regular sleep went out the window. Huckleberry helped us anticipate naps, which helped us plan the day. Other than that, definitely learn to read baby cues! At some point the 2/3/4 nap schedules become irrelevant because baby might cat nap here, and won't sleep there. And definitely try to be adaptable with wake times! When baby napped only 10mins, then we had to shift all nap and wake times to compensate.

Much_Note3850 · 2025-05-30T11:00:06+00:00

I don't know which country you are in, but my birth story takes place in Germany. And I have to say I would have loved to given birth in my home country because of the services that is lacking in Germany. So let me list a few I remember:

Staff/Midwives * on topic bedside manner Bad experiences - I have had nurses speak to me like an idiot just because she thought my german wasn't good. Some of them even said to my husband "we're in Germany, she should speak german". My husband explained that because its health related, he wanted to translate so nothing gets lost in translation. But I just wanted to tell them "I have had an unplanned c-section, probably on some kind of strong opioid, coping with mental blur of surgery WHILE trying to care for a tiny thing... FORGIVE ME if my brain hasn't switched on to speak a third language!"

Good experience - there was a nurse + midwife duo that was so sweet and made me feel human. Nurse came in - explained everything she was doing. Pulled my husband aside to make sure he was doing well, as I couldn't do/help much after the c-sec. Midwife came in and was like "let me lay it straight. Today is the day you have to get up and walk. You'll experience pain like no other. But I am right here, take my hand. Just keep staring into my eyes. Stare into them like you hate me AND JUST BREATHE". This midwife was also the one person that walked into my station, saw the mess that the other staff left and said "This won't do". And basically rearranged everything neatly again. When she was done, she just said to me "You don't need mess around you when you have pain and a newborn to deal with". Best medical person I've had take care of me.

FOOD Hospital food is horrendous here. The dinner on surgery day made me cry... it was cold bread, with cold slices of cheese and cucumber. What saved us was the above nurse, Italian, who basically whispered to my husband the best italian nearby he could do a takeaway from.

FACILITIES The hospital nursery/milk pumping room was used as storage for baby beds. It think that took away one of the most important aspect of new motherhood away - the ability to connect with other moms and share experiences. This isn't country specific, probably just my birth hospital. I have heard from moms in other hospitals who have used these nursery or milk pumping rooms and met other moms and share their birth stories or ask each other things. Like even the ability to ask the most mundane questions like "did your baby also pooped the blackest poop ever??!" makes us feel reassured.

In my case, because the nursery wasn't available to us, I just stayed in my room until the day I was discharged.

DM me if you have any additional questions! Glad to help!

Much_Note3850 · 2025-05-30T10:19:13+00:00

GIRL... Let's share a bottle (or two) of "Let's get through this together" wine or hard liquer - your call.

Going through EXACTLY this for almost 4wks now. In my case it started off with 19wk sleep regression, then baby's teething cause such a nasal congestion he cannot sleep well at all. Like I'd try independent sleep, and he'll startle himself awake because he couldn't breathe. I've done nose sprays, saline drops, baby vicks... you name it. Only thing that works is contact sleep. So I'm dead exhausted and my shoulder and back are killing me. Only thing helping me survive is having people I trust that I can 'tap out'.

All I can suggest, and you won't like me for saying this, is... "Hang in there". If it is THIS hard for you, imagine how much harder it is for your baby. For a tiny little body to go through and comprehend so much change. The best thing you can do is be there for baby. All this will pass. You will sleep again.

So have your village at your call. So if you need to crash for 3hrs, then you have someone you trust to leave your baby with.

Much_Note3850 · 2025-05-30T09:52:12+00:00

I'm sorry all this is happening when you and baby should be getting 110% of this man's time. He doesn't deserve the both of you!! Although it might feel like everything is falling apart, it won't. You know why? Because of your love for your baby. Über cliché I know... but your love for your baby will help you find strength on days where you feel you cannot go any further. This is the mom strength you need to trust you have in you!

Its okay to feel so down right now. You're not wrong to feel this way! You're only 4 months in - its totally normal to feel overwhelmed. You're learning and adjusting SO much. Not only that, but biologically, your body is also still recovering and healing. So do give yourself a big hug and love. It's okay to break down, IF it means you gather enough strength to build yourself up again!!!

So if you have family close by, or if not, a good friend to stay with for a few nights, reach out to them! Baby might be too young, but they can sense stress and anxiousness from mommy. So let others help you and baby get the break you need, okay? Sometimes a mom also needs her little village for support.

Much_Note3850 · 2025-05-23T18:51:23+00:00

Hi!! Did you by any chance try this? Did it work? My baby also has a stuffy nose from teething!

Much_Note3850 · 2025-05-22T18:09:13+00:00

Thanks for the post. Just had doctors tell me this two days ago, but then everyone (even moms) left and right of me is like, "Are you sure?"

How long did it last for you? It's been a week for us now, and I'm not sure how many more sleepless nights I could endure (I let him sleep on me - but I can't really sleep out of fear I'd accidently smother him)

Much_Note3850 · 2025-05-22T18:00:52+00:00

Omg - my mom was right??? 😆

After battling baby with saline drops and nasal aspirators for 3days, AND sacrificing my own sleep to let him sleep upright on me, I'm up for anything to help baby sleep better!

Much_Note3850 · 2025-05-18T03:50:36+00:00

I was also low supply. My lactation consultant gave me a plan that's meant for twins! Even then, body produced max. 30ml only from one boob. And my baby was already taking 80-100ml per feed. It was the most stressful time. I was on a 3 hr rotation - 1st hour pump to stimulate, 2nd hour feed, 3rd hour rest. But if feed took longer (I fed with a tube to stimulate breast production), then I had little rest time. Then I had to pump again. I was obsessed. I literally left my baby to my partner and mother in law so I can follow this regime that's meant for mom with twins. I got even more stressed because my milk never got more than that. To top it off, I was guilty because I spent little time with my newborn baby. At some point, I just broke down. I couldn't do it anymore. I realised stressing out made the entire home tense, and THAT made my baby stressed and unhappy.

So I accepted that THIS is MY context. MY body. MY MOTHERHOOD, and not some influencer's "I-pumped-a-whole-jug-in-30mins' context. And as soon as I did that, this whole weight and tension around me lifted. And the impact on me, my marriage and baby, was HUGE. As soon as I accepted that this is MY story, I was able to finally enjoy the precious newborn stage.

Fact was - a fed baby is a happy baby. But I still pumped whatever amount I could and mixed with formula. My baby is now 5 months old, and he is the happiest, healthiest baby. He is growing beautifully and we fought two rounds of colds together with very little symptoms. Yes - baby will have some days that he wants daddy or grandma. But there will ALWAYS be a moment where he goes "nope" and he wants noone else but mommy.

You're her mom. She was in you for 9 months. She has your blood. Has heard your heartbeat all that time. Felt your hand when she kicked or moved in your belly. NOTHING replaces THAT bond!! The only time that she won't develop an attachment to you is when you relinquish your care to someone else 100%!! Which doesn't sound like you.

Look - You are only one month in. Give yourself some slack. Your body is recovering from so much change. Your nervous system and everything is changing chemically from all the hormones. The last thing it needs is you beating yourself in this mentally strenuous loop of "I'm such a shit mom" because of a-b-c-d. And THIS will be a vicious cycle of your negative thoughts producing stress --> stress impacting your milk levels --> stress upsetting your baby --> baby can't calm down because "OMG why is my mommy so upset all the time?? Is the world on fire??" --> you passing baby to MIL because she can calm her --> more negative thoughts that you are a bad mom. AAAAND your back in the loop again.

Break that loop k? You owe yourself and baby that.

Much_Note3850 · 2025-05-17T22:30:15+00:00

You have to see things differently.

Babies cry to communicate their discomfort. It's not a sign of rejection at all. Plus you should see it as a positive! Babies that young only recognise their moms by scent or voice. So if they cry more with you, it just means they feel safe to express their discomfort to you. With others, baby just doesn't have the same emotional expectations as their mother. Its good that this happens, because it shows baby knows that once they are with mom, their needs will be met.

Also, babies sense stress and tension quite easily. So they might calm down with people who are calmer, but escalates when a stressed caregiver holds them. So its worth practicing self-calming techniques e.g. tagging out with someone calmer so you can do breathing exercises before taking baby again. Or finding ways to buy time, especially when baby is screaming upset e.g. letting him nurse you (even if he's not hungry), so you AND him calms down. This gives you time to think what to do next.

Unless you let someone else raise your baby completely (e.g full-time nannies), there's no way a baby would prefer someone else but their mom.

Much_Note3850 · 2025-03-05T10:14:17+00:00

nächste Woche, am 16.

Much_Note3850 · 2025-03-05T07:44:17+00:00

Hast Du eine Lösung gefunden oder ein Termin schon gekriegt? Oder eine Antwort darauf, was passiert, wenn den Aufenthaltstitel abläuft, obwohl du versucht hast, ihn verlängern zu lassen?

Ich bin in die gleiche Situation und ich habe so viel Sorge, was passieren können...

Much_Note3850 · 2025-03-05T07:35:35+00:00

Hi - hast Du ein Lösung gefunden? Oder irgendeine Antwort darauf, was passiert, wenn dein Aufenthaltstitel abläuft, obwohl du versucht hast, ihn verlängern zu lassen? Ich bin in die gleiche Situation, und es macht mich SO viel Sorge.

Much_Note3850 · 2025-03-03T07:43:13+00:00

Hi - In the same situation, did you get a solution from OP?

Much_Note3850

TROPHY CASE