Any tips to get toddler to use nebulizer?

[Anonymous]

My 18mo was having trouble breathing from a nasty cold. We took him to pediatric urgent care and they didn’t like how things sounded so they gave him an oral steroid and nebulizer treatment. We’re suppose to give him treatments every 4 hours while he’s awake and I’m at a loss. He did okay in the doctor’s office but tonight was a nightmare.

If anyone has gone through this and has any tips I’d appreciate it. Also, if anyone has any recs for a doctor to see about possible asthma I’d appreciate it. We have his 18 month checkup with his regular ped. in a couple of weeks but want to start thinking ahead.

[Anonymous]

A few things we did.

1) They don't need to be awake for the nebulizer. We did as many treatments when he was asleep as possible. So, before he woke up in he morning, during nap, and after he fell asleep at night. Now, my kid was on a nebulizer from 6 weeks so it might be that was why he could sleep through it, but it's worth trying.

2) We used to watch tv (old days, now I'd use an ipad) and if the neb came off his face, the TV went off. I'd be playing a video, so it wasn't like he was missing anything. It was just "we watch tv while we're having our neb. If you take a break, the TV takes a break". I think I only said that once. After that I'd say "oops" and turn it off. He got that fast.

3) If you're in DC or Maryland, we really like Dr. Economedes at Institute for Asthma and Allergies

[Anonymous]

We look at pictures (from recent trips, fun outings, baby pictures, etc) on my phone. She doesn’t usually get to play with my phone and loves seeing pictures of herself haha. I hold the neb over her mouth and nose as I scroll through. Works for us! DD is 2.5 now, and has used a neb after 3 bad colds.

[Anonymous]

+1 for doing it while they’re sleeping! Just have the mist from the mask pointed over their face so it sort of rains down and is inhaled.

[Anonymous]

We made up a song about a blow fish when our kid had to do it. We sang it every time.

[Anonymous]

This is the time for bribing. iPad while he does it, three miniature marshmallows when he is done. I hope he feels better soon!

[Anonymous]

Agree with all of the above. Once he turns 2 (if he still needs something) ask about getting a spacer vs a nebulizer. It’s essentially an inhaler— considered just as effective and it’s 10 seconds. Total game changer

[Anonymous]

TV, sitting with them (holding them/sitting behind them), holding the nebulizer just in front of their face (not strapping it on).

[Anonymous]

We used noise blocking headphones. It was the noise that bothered her as much as the mist and the mask.

[Anonymous]

iPad.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:TV, sitting with them (holding them/sitting behind them), holding the nebulizer just in front of their face (not strapping it on).

+1 at that age my kid did better with me holding the mask gently on his face vs. strapping it on.

[Anonymous]

We also got a quieter one which made using it while sleeping easier.

[Anonymous]

We try to keep tablet use to road trips and special occasions only, and nevulizet time is one of those special occasions.

When that doesn’t work, I hate it but….Cocomelon.

[Anonymous]

OP here, thank you for all the tips! He’s still a bit too young for negotiating but ipad worked for a bit. I was also able to get a full treatment in during one of his naps, so that felt like a win.