If a bulb syringe is available:

Suction the mouth first, then the baby's nose ('m' before 'n') — see Figure 7.9.

No deep suctioning with a bulb syringe! It can cause slowing of the heart rate (bradycardia).

If no bulb syringe:

Clear secretions from the mouth and nose with a clean, dry cloth.

Figure 7.9 Suctioning the newborn with a bulb syringe to clear mucus from its upper airway: (top) suction the mouth first; (bottom) then suction the baby's nose ('m' before 'n').
Last modified: Monday, 19 May 2014, 12:37 AM