LEARN TO BLOW YOUR NOSE

Most children don’t learn to blow their nose until they reach two to three years – although some 18 month olds will be able to manage. Try these games at home to teach your child to blow their nose. Practice when your child is well.

Tips

Rip up small bits of tissue and have a race to blow them across a table. Start by mouth blowing the tissue, until the child gets the hang of it and then show your child how to clamp his lips shut and blow through the nose. Pretend to blow out a candle out with your nose Try making ‘elephant noises’ (blowing out the nose while slightly pinching it and keeping the mouth closed). It’s important that children learn to blow their noses because nasal mucus, or snot, is actually washing viruses and bacteria out of the nose and sinuses. Ear nurse specialist at Greenlane Hospital Cathy Hanlon says yellow or green “snot” has bacteria in it and the longer it’s held in the nose, the more toxins can be absorbed.