Infants on a nasal cannula need to have meticulous care provided to their nares. The nasal cannula should be placed gently in the nares, and the size should be nonocclusive. The nose should be suctioned gently to remove debris. Even with excellent care, irritation can occur; irritation may be an indication to change the oxygen delivery device. In addition to irritation, swelling or debris in the nares can diminish leakage of the flow from the nasal cannula, thereby increasing the delivered CPAP. High levels of distending pressure can be applied if there is no leakage and the flow rate exceeds 1.5 liter/minute.