There are devices out there for precisely this purpose
Example.

However, in the event that one is not available, it's probably better to do it that way than leave the child struggling to breathe. It's hardly the *most* disgusting thing you'll have to do for your child - they can't change their own nappies after all.
( wheresthefish Partly filled with wrong, Sat 4 Feb 2012, 23:01, 1 reply)

Aye
But you wouldn't suck shite from a baby's arse if it was constipated. I have 2 children and it would never, ever have occurred to me to suck snot from their noses. I'd still have been puking now. The kids have survived very well without me acting as their mucus hoover and they're 20 and 22 now.

And, unless I'm mistaken, babies can breathe through their mouths?
( His Popiness the Hole Invaded Poland on, Sun 5 Feb 2012, 12:15, closed)

They can breathe through their mouths
when they're not feeding. But a baby has to feed quite regularly - and they cannot drink bottle/breast and breathe with a blocked nose at the same time. Problem much?
( Tiffany Aching 's bowl of oatmeal tried to stare her down and won, Mon 6 Feb 2012, 2:20, closed)

Good point, well made
Still made me want to vom though.
( His Popiness the Hole Invaded Poland on, Mon 6 Feb 2012, 17:46, closed)