It’s very important for parents to realize that not every child will master this immediately. Each kid has his own milestones and timeframes. You can start teaching a child who’s as young as 2, but they will rarely master it until they’re older and may not even have the power to blow hard enough at such a young age. Realistically, I’d say the earliest your daughter will be successfully blowing her nose on her own is around 3 years old -- and likely even 4. I suctioned out my kids’ noses until they were at least 2 and a half.

The key is to not push your daughter too hard. If you stress out, it becomes more difficult for both you and her. Just like with potty training, don’t push your child before she’s ready or it can backfire. I recommend that if parents try to have their kids blow their noses and it doesn’t work, they should wait another month and try again. Remember, it may take some time, so just know that you may need to continue using saline and suction to clear out your child’s nose when she is congested.

1. Ease your child’s congestion. To keep your child from blowing constantly, administer an over-the-counter saline spray to lubricate his nasal passageways. Is he still stuffed up? A Neti Pot can help break down blockages of thick mucus and wash away irritants. Make sure that you sterilize the water by boiling it first (in very rare cases, tap water can harbor a type of amoeba that passes through the sinuses and causes a dangerous infection).

2. Teach your child the proper nose-blowing protocol. Mucus can strip the skin of its natural oils and cause nose irritation, so show him how to blot the mucus instead of rubbing a tissue around his face. Also stock up on soft tissues, since they’re gentler on the skin than napkins.

3. Lock in the moisture. Apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly, vitamin E oil or mentholated oils to your child’s nose regularly to seal in the moisture and heal those tiny cracks in the skin. A bonus of using a mentholated product: Breathing in the cool scent can improve nasal airflow, according to a study in The Journal of Laryngology & Otology.

4. Run a humidifier. It can prevent dryness and nose irritation and add much-needed moisture back into the skin. Look for a cool-mist version, which is safer for children’s rooms, and run it throughout the night.

It’s really important for your child to have a clear expectation of what the visit will be like. Describe what’s likely to happen and be as honest as you can. For example, never tell a child that a shot won’t hurt. Instead, say something like “Yes, it’s going to hurt, but only for a little bit.”

To make the wait more tolerable, arm yourself with as many helpful diversions as you can, like three favorite books, two soft blankets and a little snack.

Depending on the age of the child, there are other things you can do ahead of time to help the visit go smoothly. For instance, a play doctor kit is a great toy for toddlers, because they get familiar with the stethoscope, the otoscope and all those other tools with funny names that we use during a doctor visit. For school-age kids, have them think of a question to ask the doctor about their bodies so they feel like they have their own agenda.

Also, don’t underestimate the power of rewards. After the doctor visit, plan to do something your child really enjoys (and is feeling up for), such as that movie he’s been bugging you to see. And always follow through -- even if the visit doesn’t go well.

Finally, if you try all this advice and your little one still screams through the entire visit, don’t lose heart. It’s actually developmentally normal for kids between the ages of 9 months and about 3 years to dislike doctor visits, because that’s when kids experience stranger anxiety.

1. Through breathing in an airborne virus after someone coughs or sneezes, or
2. By coming into contact with a contaminated surface.

Because viruses can live outside of the body for up to two days, people can infect themselves by handling a germ-tainted object and then touching their eyes or nose. That’s why nose-pickers like your son are at greater risk of getting sick.

To keep your son healthy, teach him how to blow his nose properly so he won’t be tempted to pick. Ask him to blow steadily in a tissue, and then have him wash his hands or use a hand sanitizer immediately afterward. Once he gets the hang of it, remind him to wash up frequently and keep his hands away from his face -- especially during cold and flu season.

Does your child pick her nose? What do you do to encourage her to stop? Join the conversation.

Photo: @iStockphoto.com/heidijpix

So always have your child wash hands thoroughly before and after using the bathroom on a plane. And when you can’t get access to a sink and soap, use a hand sanitizer that has at least 60 percent alcohol. If you’re worried about the drying effects of alcohol, use a hand sanitizer that has added moisturizers, like aloe.

And since the air on planes is so dry and uncomfortable, you might also want to bring along some saline nasal spray, which you can use to help keep both yours and your daughter’s nasal passages well moisturized.

It’s also important to stay hydrated by drinking lots of water -- that goes for you and your daughter.

Finally, try to avoid sick people when possible. If you’re sitting next to someone who’s coughing and sniffling and the flight is not full, speak up and politely ask a flight attendant if you can move to different seats.

To help your child find relief, begin by asking the following questions:

1. What caused the onset?
Colds are caused by hundreds of different viruses, which are spread from person to person. So if a bug’s making the rounds in your child’s school or day care, that’s a clue that a cold is the culprit. It usually takes a few days for symptoms to appear after contact with the virus.

Allergies, on the other hand, are the result of an overzealous immune system. The body mistakes harmless particles -- such as pollen, dust or mold -- as dangerous intruders, releasing chemicals called histamines in response. These inflammatory chemicals set off sneezes, sniffles and watery eyes. Symptoms crop up immediately after exposure to the allergen.

Seasonal allergies generally occur in the fall (when weeds bloom) and in the late spring and early summer (when trees and grasses pollinate). Year-round sniffles are triggered by dust, animal dander and mold. Also keep in mind that allergies run in families: If you suffer from them, your child’s more likely to have the condition too.

2. How long has he or she been sniffling?
Colds can last from two to three days to two weeks, and the symptoms tend to get worse before lessening. With allergies, sniffles can last for months or even years. And they appear when your child is exposed to the allergen.

3. Does your child have a sore throat or fever?
If your child complains that it’s painful to swallow, chances are he’s battling a cold. Other red flags that he’s sick: a fever and body aches.

4. Does he also feel itchy?
Itchy, watery eyes usually signal allergies. That’s because the flood of histamines also affect the eyes.

5. What does your child’s mucus look like?
In most cases, allergies produce thin, watery mucus. Thick mucus, especially mucus with a yellow or greenish tint, usually means that a cold or another infection is at fault.

If your child has a cold, give him plenty of fluids, rest and the appropriate over-the-counter medicines to relieve those symptoms.

Suspect allergies? If your kid is 6 years of age or older, consider a trial of over-the-counter antihistamine. (Younger children should see a health care provider first.) I recommend a nonsedating variety, such as one that contains loratadine, during the day. Before bedtime, a brand with diphenhydramine can ease symptoms and help your child get a good night’s rest.

If he or she is still sniffling after a few weeks, consult your pediatrician. Your kid may need a prescription allergy medication.

Next, have him breathe in some steam to lubricate his nose and chest, which can unclog those passages. A few options:

• Run a hot shower and have him sit in the bathroom with the door closed for 10 minutes.
• Fill a bowl with hot water, add a few drops of eucalyptus oil, place a towel on top and waft the steam towards him. (Placing his head directly above the bowl without a towel may lead to burns.)
• Run a humidifier in his room, especially while he sleeps.

If he’s still feeling stuffed up, try an over-the-counter saline spray to loosen the congestion and moisten nasal membranes.

• Remember that medicines are always dosed by weight, not age. Carefully follow the package instructions.
• Always use the measuring cup that comes with the medicine, never a spoon from your kitchen drawer. This ensures your kid gets exactly the right amount.
• Call the doctor’s office if you’re ever in doubt. I also recommend asking for the appropriate doses at your child’s yearly wellness visit; the amounts your pediatrician provides should be good until the next checkup.

* As told to Colleen Canney, group editor of Sniffle Solutions

Has your child had a fever this year? Did you use a fever-reducer? Join the conversation!

Still, you don’t know for certain that you have the same cold as your daughter. There are hundreds of different viruses that can make you sick, and you may have contracted a different one. To play it safe, make sure to wash your hands often with soap and water or use a hand sanitizer throughout the day. And since germs can live outside of the body for up to two days, disinfect common surfaces in your home, like light switches, doorknobs and remote controls.

When someone in your home is sick, do you clean more often? If so, what’s your routine? Join the conversation.

Check out my Expert Blog next week for tips on how to tell if your child is really sick -- or just pretending.

But before you use your humidifier, make sure that you’re using a model with a built-in humidistat. This feature keeps humidity in a designated range: Too little moisture in the air can dry out your skin, nose and throat; too much can lead to mold and bacteria growth. That can irritate breathing passageways and worsen allergies.

For your child’s safety, look for a cool-mist model. They’re just as effective as warm-mist humidifiers, without the worry of a potential burning hazard.

It’s also not a bad idea to use distilled water. Humidifiers have been shown to be very effective at dispersing the minerals in tap water into the air, resulting in a pesky white dust on surfaces near where it’s used. Minerals in tap water can also create crusty deposits inside the humidifier -- a hotbed for microorganisms.

Finally, it’s important to keep your humidifier clean by replacing the water, rinsing the tank and scrubbing it down often. (Follow the manufacturer’s instructions.) This will prevent the growth of harmful mold, fungi and bacteria.