I am looking for tips and tricks on using a Netti Pot for a five year old. I currently do use other alternative solutions for his chronic stuffy nose, so we are not seeking other solutions or remedies as I have enough access for what we need.
I feel his sinuses may just be bit compacted, especially in the morning as he is most congested then (it does not help he lays face-down, with his head nearly off the bed~ LOL!). But he inhales through his nose as hard as he can in frustration to clear it. I am relatively certain that the netti pot will work for what we have going on, plus I know of the many other benefits it does offer.
My question is for you alternative health practicing mama's - what tricks or tips can you offer me to help me to get my son to use this? He can be a bit stubborn so I plan to get one for me so he can see what is happening and not be afraid. Any feedback for this would be very helpful as he tends to end up with a nosebleed (from picking and that is what I am also trying to avoid.).
Thanks in advance!
Thanks for all the responses~ I'm going to check in again with my son to get his thoughts and show him the netti pot, and the syringe (someone posted) as that seems better. I also know that I chatted w/ someone back in my day about 'snorting' up salt water to receive the same effects. I may even do this as it is less of a cost for me - and drip that into my son's nose as I have enough droppers.
Currently, I do prop his head (and mattress - he loves to slide down it during the day!), I have a special oil blend of eucalyptus/ peppermint / lavender for the nose (it's healing and also kills the bacteria & viruses, especially during a cold) and I put a couple different mixes of sinus-opening oils into the vaporizer at night. In addition, I provide reflexology on his feet, but I think he just has so much mucus compacted.
Thanks everyone! I do appreciate the feedback and I'll check into some of this! :)
I have never used the netti pot for my son I use drops of colloidal silver in the nose and he drinks 2 ounces of aloe juice, sorry I know you wanted info on netti pot but when i do this he does not need netti pot
Hello A. I am a cmt too. All I can suggest is this. SHow im how it works have him hang his head up side down in the tub and help him out. If he sees you do it than maybe it won't e so hard. You can also use saline spray three times a day. ALso you can keep the house humid. Have him when he first gets up in themorning lean over a boiling pot of water that will help him loosen his stuff up to blow out better. He may have to lean over the steam for like 10 mins than blow out than do it again. You can also put vics in the water to open the air way. Or rub some pepermint on his nose oil but mix it so its not to strong. Good luck.
Try it in the bath. It worked well for us.
I have really fond memories of my Grandpa using a Nettie Pot on me when I was small. He would cradle my head over the sink, gently pour the water in and then have me blow my nose into the sink. I was probably a little older than your son, and taller, it might be easier for him to lean over the bathtub. He explained how it was going to feel and was very gentle. Also don't underestimate a small child's fascination with the gross - there's nothing cooler than a bunch of snot. :)
My daughter is 5 and I have had her use the netti pot. First I did it to myself. She watched and didn't want to try the first time. Then she saw my sons (12 and 10) use it. After that, she wanted to try it. I positioned her head and used the pot on her. All she had to do was worry about breathing in through her mouth. I also explained how it would feel--like when you go swimming and you get water in your nose. She didn't give me any problems and I controlled it so it was done correctly. If she asked me to stop, I did.
Good Luck!
H.
Honestly, I can't bring myself to use a netti pot, let alone my kids. I just can't stand the feeling. I know it's good for me, but I just can't do it. Good luck!!
Get an incline for him. You know,...a wedge type pillow that elevates his upper half. Vick's on his chest should help open up things. Or if you use a mister/vaporizor, add eucalyptus drops to the water. Give him a choice; netti pot or eucalyptus.
HI A.
My best advice is to talk about alot, and let it be his choice. I tried to get my daughter to netti when she was 5. It didn't fly so well, as soon as she felt the water she freaked. She's forgotten about that so I did it different this year.
When the weather changes and we started wakening up stuffy she complained. We talked about it a while, I told her when she was a bigger girl she might try the netti pot again and maybe not get sick. Mine hates getting sick, even though we hardly do. She wanted to be a big girl and not get sick, and said maybe she would try it. I explained what it does, how it feels, where to put your tong, everything I could. She tried it, and got a good amount washed through and gagged on the salt water. She didn't like that one bit, but it was enough to help. And she appreciated that, I finished the pot for her to watch.
When she was 4 I could get her to use the saline spray and help her blow her nose. After a while I could tip the bottle up and squeeze a spray of it into her sinus.
Good luck, A. H
My allegists office sells a different kind of 'netti pot' - it looks like a syringe of sorts. Kind-of like the kind that you get with medications, but larger, and they show kids using it. Have you tried something like this - instead of the acutal pot? I can't remember the name of the kind that they sell right now - I think it was one like this... http://www.amazon.com/Nasaline-Nasal-Irrigation-System-1/...
HTH -
J.
I am not very familiar with netti pots other than a general concept of what they do, but what we always did was use a dropper. When our children were very young, we would lay them on our laps or on the floor (so we could hold them still better if necessary) and do one side of the nose at a time. Your son is old enough that you may be able to get him to cooperate and just tip his head back. Warm water feels better - just be very careful that it's not too hot. My husband even uses this method when he is really congested.
