The One Where I Almost Swallowed a Booger

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Every parent has that one moment where they question everything — the life choices, the parenting advice, the biology of small children. Mine came one fateful night, staring down a tiny plastic tube that was allegedly going to help me suck snot out of my child’s nose.

The instructions made it sound simple: “Gently use suction to clear nasal congestion.” What it didn’t say was, “Prepare to reevaluate your existence as you wonder if you just inhaled baby boogers.” I gagged so hard my husband walked in mid–booger extraction and said, “Do you… need help?” I did not need help. I needed therapy.

After that night, I vowed never again. There had to be something better — something that didn’t require me to physically participate in my child’s sinus cleansing.

The Electric Snot-Sucking Revolution

Turns out, there are better ways. Enter: the electric nasal aspirator, a modern miracle for parents with weak stomachs and congested toddlers. I’ve tried (and loved) a few, but these two are my top picks:

👉 Electric NoseFrida
The classic, but make it powered. It does the same job without the personal participation. Easy to clean, gentle suction, and it even plays a little lullaby like it’s proud of you.

👉 Braun Nasal Aspirator 100
A solid, no-frills option that does the job without looking like a futuristic power tool. This one is a bit easier on the wallet!

Moral of the Story

If you’ve ever stared into your baby’s congested face and thought, “There has to be a better way,” — there is. Technology has evolved. We don’t have to risk booger backflow for love anymore.

So to all the parents out there still manually inhaling mucus through a straw: I salute your bravery, but it’s time to upgrade. Because parenthood is messy enough.

Stay healthy, friends.