Nosefrida: A Parent's Best-friend (review)

I have heard rave reviews about the NoseFrida for a long time now. I was very excited to be given the opportunity to review one, but due to the craziness of the last couple of months am just now getting the review written. On the bright side, that means I got to test it out even more!

I actually received the NoseFrida for review shortly after Bobble got over his barrage of sicknesses, so I didn't have a good opportunity to use it immediately. Still, I was so excited to try it out next chance I got! I hate those bulb snot-suckers... I feel like it either goes too far into the nose, or scrapes the side too much. I found the best use for those, after cleaned, is to just give them to the munchkin to use as a teether. He seems to like that. Bobble, like most babies (I say most because I have a friend that apparently LOVED having snot suckers used on her as a child!), cries and throws a fit every time the bulb sucker was used... I was interested to see how the NoseFrida compared!

Now I know that it may seem weird to be using a snot-sucker like the NoseFrida at first glance. I mean, it's literally SUCKING the snot out of the baby! If you're worried about catching an illness from using it, don't be! There have been clinical studies that have proven that the hygiene filter prevents mucus and bacterial transfer from child to user.... so that means no worries for you! It's also a Swedish product that was both doctor invented and doctor recommended.

Here's the breakdown of the NoseFrida:

You have the tube that goes against the baby's nose, the filter, the cap that holds the filter and connects to the tube, the tube, then the part you suck on (red).

I couldn't get an action shot of using the NoseFrida for a few obvious reasons (like taking a picture and using the item at the same time), but I did get Bobble to hold up the NoseFrida for me (before trying to use it on himself).

As you can see, the poor little guy is a bit sick here... but that's the best time to try out the NoseFrida!

So, how did it work for us? FANTASTIC! It was much better than I even thought it could be! Granted, Bobble begs to differ. Just like with a bulb-sucker, it's still pulling air out of his nasal passages, which is simply awkward and uncomfortable to the baby. They don't seem to like that weird feeling! However, the NoseFrida is more efficient at removing snot because it creates a seal around the nostril instead of just sucking at one gooey strand at a time and hoping you grab it (like what happens with bulb suckers!).

Taken from their FAQs on the NoseFrida page:

Why is NoseFrida better than other aspirators?

NoseFrida is non-invasive – instead of going inside the nose like the bulb, it forms a seal with the outside of the baby’s nostril (creating a vacuum). Parent-powered (mouth) suction is much stronger and more effective than the static suction of the bulb or battery-powered aspirators. NoseFrida is also easy to clean.

It's also safer for your child than the traditional bulb sucker. Bulb suckers can damage the inside of your child's nasal passage (scraping, accidentally suctioning the side, etc.), but the NoseFrida creates a seal at the nostril and your suction pulls all the snot down out of the passage. No need to continuously squeeze a bulb over and over, just a few sucks (maybe rotating the tube a little bit), and you'll be amazed at what all you get!

Now Bobble fought and fought when I tried using this on him... namely because I was trying to hold him still. I'm pretty certain that he thinks if he's being held still, it can't be anything good. He wasn't scared of the actual item (or even the process), but he made it quite clear he didn't like the air coming out of his nose without it being his doing! (Just like with the other aspirators.) The one side I got gobs of gunk out (I am sparing you pictures, though. You're welcome!), and the other side was so stuffed that I couldn't even get ANY airflow! Poor Bobble! I tried a few different times throughout the night on the super-stuffed side, and each time it seemed to loosen it a bit more. When I finally saw it running a bit, I snagged my hubby (to hold down Bobble) and we helped get my little one breathing a bit easier again!

The NoseFrida, while more expensive than the bulb suckers, is very reasonably priced. For the fantastic job it does, I think $15 is totally worth it! (The price may vary by region/store.) What's better than that? For every NoseFrida you purchase, NoseFrida will donate one to a clinic, doctor, or donation center to help get them into the hands of families in need.

All in all, I would highly recommend the NoseFrida to anyone still using a bulb aspirator, to new parents, or to give as baby shower gifts! I can't say enough great stuff about it! It's easy to use, easy to clean, and it WORKS!

Disclosure: The product mentioned above was provided to me by NoseFrida for review. This did not influence my opinion of the product in any way. My opinions are my own and may differ from those of your own.