‘Mother’s kiss’: First aid hack to dislodge small items up child’s nose

The viral video shows the quick and effective first aid method every parent needs to know.

Toddlers have a unique skill that sees them throw and shove food in all kinds of places, aside from their mouths.

Having a child stick food - and other small items - up their nose is almost a rite of passage for parents. 

But food up the nose isn’t only uncomfortable, it is also dangerous as it can potentially obstruct a child’s airway.

Now a viral video has shown parents a first aid hack that dislodges items from the nose within seconds.

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Nikki Jurcutz from Tiny Hearts Education demonstrates the 'Mother's Kiss'. Source: Instagram.

'A Mother's Kiss'

The technique is called a ‘Mother’s Kiss’, and it has been brilliantly demonstrated in a video shared by first aid organisation Tiny Hearts Education.

Nikki Jurcutz, who is a paramedic and CEO of the company, filmed herself using the trick on her son after he stuck a pea up his nose. 

In a clip on Instagram she covers one of his nostrils and performs the "mother's kiss" which instantly dislodges the pea from his nose.

The method is also used to remove any small items up a child's nose, like a coin, or LEGO.

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Tiny Hearts Education CEO Nikki Jurcutz blows in her son's mouth to remove a pea in his nose. Source: Instagram.

Steps to removing items in nose

In the post Nikki says she will start referring to it as the “Big Kiss” as any trusted adult can do it.

1. The first step is to use one hand to block the unaffected nostril with nothing stuck up in it.
2. Then places your mouth over the child’s mouth to form a seal.
3. Then they need to blow until they feel a resistance which causes the closure of the glottis -  which is the opening between the vocal folds.
4. Then give a “sharp and short puff of air” into the mouth which travels through the nasopharynx and “hopefully pushes the cheeky object out”.

The mum-of-two insists the method works two out of three times, but gives a warning.

“Although there have been no reported cases, the main danger is aspiration, particularly in a little one who is not cooperative," she says.

"So if you can it’s suggested to do it under medical supervision.”

Originally published as ‘Mother’s kiss’: First aid hack to dislodge small items up child’s nose