Cleaning the nose of your baby

Q: My six-month-old always has a plugged or dirty nose, but like any other baby, he hates when I try to clean it up. Is there an easy way to do this without a fuss?

A: Sometimes it’s a good thing babies can’t talk! Try to ignore the mess — even at this young age, it’s important to pick your battles. If your son’s nose is truly blocked and he’s having trouble breathing, try using some saline nasal spray to loosen things up. Prevention is the key here; keep your home cool and moist with a humidifier on the furnace and portable vaporizers around the house to help keep everything running smoothly.