Using nebulisers with children 

How to use nebulisers correctly with babies and children

It is completely normal for children to have up to eight respiratory infections a year before they reach the age of 10. In most cases these infections are caused by relatively harmless viruses. To better boost children’s defenses against these cold viruses, more and more parents are discovering nebuliser therapy for preventing colds, for example using the PARI BOY Classic or the PARI COMPACT2 with saline solutions. Bronchitis, asthma and cystic fibrosis, i.e. chronic respiratory diseases, present additional challenges to paediatricians and parents. To treat them, medications for inhalation with PARI nebulisers are commonly used. By using nebulisers correctly with children, medications can get to where they need to go. Apart from that, nebuliser therapy, is sometimes the only way to deliver medications deep into the tiny airways of babies and toddlers.
 

Using a soft toy to show how a nebuliser is used

Children are active and want to get involved. Don’t shy away from including your child in the preparations for their nebuliser therapy. For example, you can have your child take the nebuliser and maybe even add the nebuliser solution (please never leave your child unsupervised when doing this). It may also be helpful to have the favourite soft toy go first and show how to use the nebuliser. Tell your child why the therapy is necessary and good for them. Show your child that aerosol flows out of the mask or mouthpiece like a kind of mist and then explain the next step: Now it’s your turn to inhale. It is important that the nebuliser therapy is a positive experience for children, especially if they have to use it several times a day. If things ever don’t go that well, it is best to shorten the nebuliser therapy and try it again at a later time.
 

Correct inhalation is done best when sitting up

Make sure that older children are in a relaxed sitting position during nebuliser therapy. First and foremost, this means sitting upright or even standing instead of lying curled up on the couch. Why? This is the only way the aerosol can get deep into airways, where it is needed. An example of a good distraction so the child’s breathing will remain steady and calm during nebuliser therapy is to look through a picture book together. For a baby, it is helpful if you are holding him or her during nebuliser treatment, making sure they are a little sleepy and not hungry at the time. If necessary, you can also use quiet devices such as the VELOX, for nebuliser therapy at home or when traveling. In any case, regardless of the version you choose, you should make sure the environment is as stress-free as possible when using the nebuliser. This makes even frequent nebuliser therapy a little easier every time– for parents, too.