Nebulizer Use for Children – What You Need to Know.

Only a parent will understand the needs of his/her child. A nebulizer is one of those needs. We are not saying that nebulizer is something which is needed by every child, but it is for sure, an important device for children who get ill. Most children experience breathing problems as soon as they catch fever and cough. We have seen toddlers struggling for their breath in the hospitals. Nebulizers are used for antibiotics and other medicines to reach the lungs of the babies.

Most of us must have used nebulizers in their childhood. Below is our article, we are going to talk about what the nebulizers are and what is their importance. If you truly want to have a better knowledge of the nebulizers, then we would suggest you read the below information mindfully.

What are the nebulizers?

The nebulizers are devices that have the capability to turn the medicines into mists. The medicine which is used in the nebulizer can either be an antibiotic or any other medicine that works for the child’s lungs. Usually, the nebulizers are connected to the machines that tend to push the air through the nebulizer to the child’s nose. The same air helps in turning the antibiotic or other medicine into mists. And eventually, the mist goes into the child’s lungs as soon as the child breathes. This treatment, with the help of the nebulizer, is called the ‘nebulizer treatment or breathing treatment.’

Why do babies need breathing treatments?

The breathing treatments are not used for a single purpose, but it has multiple purposes such as to treat the coughing, wheezing, shortness of the breath as well as to treat the swelling of the baby’s airway. The above problems can occur due to the following reasons:

• Severe reactions of allergy.
• Some chronic respiratory illnesses, for example – cystic fibrosis and asthma.
• Some infections of lungs, for example – pneumonia.

Below are some signs that the baby is in dire need of the nebulizer:

As soon as you notice the following symptoms in your child, consider consulting your child’s doctor:

• Rapid breathing.
• Chest pain.
• Difficulty in breathing.
• Shortness of the breath.
• Delayed recovery from bronchitis.

How to prepare the nebulizer for the breathing treatment of the child?

• First off, it is very important to clean and wash the hand before giving any treatment to the babies. One should use soap and water to wash the hands. Also, do not forget to wash your child’s hands as well.
• The next step is to place the nebulizer machine on any hard surface. Do not forget to check if the air filter is clean or not. It the air filter is dirty, then you should better rinse and wash it using the cold water, then let it dry. Now, plug the machine in.
• The next step is to prepare the medicine. If the medicine of your child is not premixed, then you need to mix the medicines and place the right amounts into the container with the help of the syringe or dropper. However, if the medicine is premixed, then all you have to do is open the medicine bottle and place it inside the medicine container of then nebulizer.
• If you need to add saline (also known as saltwater) into the medicine of your child, then add it into the medicine container. Prefer buying the normal sterile saline from your local pharmacy. Never use any kind of home-made saline solution into your child’s nebulizer.
• The next step is to connect the machine to the medicine container with the help of the tubing. Now, connect the mouthpiece or mask to the top portion of the medicine container.
• In the next step, place the nebulizer mask or mouthpiece on the face of your child.
• Now, turn the medicine on and hold the medicine container in an upright position. The entire treatment usually takes 7 to 12 minutes; it may also take more than 12 minutes. Know the treatment is over as soon as the medicine gets finished inside the medicine container.

How to clean the nebulizer properly?

The proper way to clean the nebulizer is by washing the mouthpiece and medicine container with the help of soap and warm water. Then, let them dry. If you want to dry the parts quickly, then you can also attach the machine to the nebulizer pieces and turn the machine on. Do not forget to disinfect the nebulizer after every use.

Bottom line:

We would like to suggest our readers to always prefer consulting the doctor before giving any treatment to the child. If the doctor says to give nebulizer treatment to the child, then you are free; otherwise, it is not a good idea to give any sort of treatment without consulting the doctor. We hope our article proves to be helpful for you.