Be quiet and calm. Talking, laughing or crying may cause more bleeding.
Sit up and lean the head forward slightly (Picture 1). Do not lie down, lean back or put their head between their knees.
Pinch the nostrils tightly closed at the soft part of the nose just below the nasal bone (bone at the top of the nose). For young children, you might need to do this for them.
Breathe through the mouth.
Hold the nostrils closed for 5 minutes. Time this with a clock or watch. If the bleeding has not stopped after a full 5 minutes, hold the nostrils closed for 5 more minutes. Call your child’s health care provider if bleeding does not stop after a total of 10 minutes of pinching the nostrils.
Wet a washcloth or hand towel with cool water. Wring it out and press firmly to the nose and cheeks.
Do not blow the nose or remove crusts for several hours. If your child needs to blow their nose, remind them to do it very gently. Blowing or wiping the nose may cause the bleeding to start again.
Spit out any blood that collects in the mouth. Swallowing a large amount of blood may cause your child to have a stomachache or vomit (throw up).