nose blowing

[nichole]

My four year old WILL NOT blow his nose. He keeps sucking it in. He says he doesn't know how, but he used to do it when he was 2. I have tried explaining and showing him how, but he refuses. Any ideas?

[limabean]

My 3yo went through this EXACT same thing -- so strange! When he was 2 he had no problem blowing out through his nose, and all of a sudden a few months ago I noticed that he was always sucking air in instead. At first I just said, "No, blow out, silly -- you know how!" because I'd seen him blow out so many times, but soon it became clear that somehow he had actually forgotten how to do it.

Over the course of several weeks (he had a few colds in a row), we worked on it -- the most successful thing was me holding a tissue just by the tops and letting it dangle in front of his nose so that he could see it go out when he blew out, then I would say, "Okay, now take a deep breath ... now close your mouth and don't open it ... now blow like you're blowing out birthday candles with your nose ... watch the tissue ... see how it went out? ... That's blowing!" and after several times of doing that he finally got it again and has no problems with it anymore.

[One_Girl]

I did what limabean suggests and I also explained to dd that she could get an ear infection if she sniffles because the fluid will back up into her ears. Once she could do it I didn't do it for her anymore, I despise snot with every part of me and will not go near it if there is no absolute need.