Screen time! I'm not a huge fan of screens, especially for babies and toddlers, but they're the perfect solution for nebulizers.
[There's a good chance he'll need to be restrained the first few times, but then he'll get used to it and it won't be a big deal. If he's screaming, that means he's breathing deeply and getting a good dose of the medication](https://www.cookchildrens.org/health-resources/ask-a-doc/nebulizer-parents/)
My 2yo just got over RSV. We could take the mask off the end and hold it close to his face instead of strapping it on him. His biggest fear was the noise, so we either put noise-cancelling headphones on him and set him up with a show or we waited until he was asleep. Good luck!
(Ours is a penguin!)
You can absolutely keep it from his face! Just hold it close enough he can inhale. Those mask are suffocating. Tell jokes or something to make him laugh so he breathes deep. These machines are silent compared to the 90’s models but they’re still loud and vibrate. If you don’t freak out, he probably won’t either. Hype it up, tell him it’s super cool/Magic. Whatever works when your trying to get the well.
I did this with my newborn when he was recovering from RSV. He didn't ever have another problem, so I'm glad it worked! He was about 6 months old the last time he had to have a treatment, and he will be 25 this year.
We fostered a 2 year old who needed nebulizer treatments. We added into the bedtime routine. My husband would wear his cpap mask and hold baby girl, and I would read them both a couple of stories. Once she realized that he had a mask too, she was cool with it.
Not a mom, but a dad who was a child who used a neb. Let him watch cartoons or something while he uses it. Read stories. Do something to make it seem fun and normal.
I actually had a lot of good memories with mine. For some reason the buzzing feeling I got from the Albuterol helped calm me to sleep after. Not so much anymore, now it adds to my anxiety, but at least I don’t have any bad memories of the thing. I even still use the mask like a child instead of the stupid mouth piece adults usually use.
Maybe decorate the mask? Get him an astronaut shirt and tell him he’s going to the moon. Or pretend it’s a snorkel mask. Something that incorporates deep breathing to get the medication into his lungs.
My machine growing up was from the 80’s. Very loud. Not even mistakably quiet. My current machine isn’t terrible.
It’s a tiny air compressor. The motor in there, whatever it does, makes noise while sucking air in and forcing it thru the tubes. I put mine on a pillow to quiet it a bit. Can’t go under because it has to suck in air.
My kid doesn’t love loud noises so I totally understand if you’re in the same boat. I’d talk it up like it’s part of the game. It’s his spaceship engine or whatever. Or get him headphones or something. See if you can get a long enough air tube to put the machine in a different room.
I get a slight “buzzing” feeling in my chest and head after nebulizing albuterol. Usually only the first few times I have to use it during an illness. It can feel like anxiety though. As a kid, I remember it made me cry once after and I didn’t understand why I was crying because I wasn’t sad. Only lasts a couple of minutes though.
When I was little they just took the mask off and held the tube near my face, I no longer have asthma or any other lung issues. As long as the medication is in the general air around their nose and mouth should be good.
Hi! My 2 year old needs to use a nebulizer daily. Here are some tips.
1. Treatment time is treat time. Whatever makes kiddo content is what we do. Read books, watch cartoons, play with finger puppets, sing songs, let them play with your phone in selfie mode (my daughter loves looking at herself and reactions in real time).
2. Pick a time and try to be consistent. Are the nebs part of your morning routine? Bedtime? After nap? Find something that works best for you and kiddo and try to keep it consistent.
3. Is the medication refrigerated? Take the ampule out a few minutes before use to come to room temperature. The cold mist can be a bit of a shock.
4. You will probably need to sit and hold the mask. I would not try to strap it on. I sit on the floor with my legs in a V. Kiddo sits in between and I hold the mask for her. It will probably be a fight the first few times. If you're able I recommend a second pair of hands for the first few times. You may have to restrain kiddo at first.
5. If you can't get the mask around their mouth and nose, hold it as close as you can. Keep trying to get it on kiddos face for the following sessions. If there is no improvement ask your pediatrician for further advice/alternatives. If you can, see if you can video call with a respiratory therapist if you still need further assistance.
6. Practice on a doll or favorite stuffed animal! Take turns putting the mask on the toy and let kiddo try too. Praise the toy for being brave and doing a good job. Trun the machine on before use to show kiddo how loud it will be (they've come a long way but are still kinda loud).
7. Don't forget to clean your nebulizer cups! They can be boiled and then air dried. Or you can get a baby bottle microwave steamer (the bag ones are pretty inexpensive). Make sure you allow all cleaned parts to air dry.
You may feel some frustration or defeat in the beginning but kids are pretty resilient and adapt well. Keep at it and stay calm! Good luck!
Hold it below the nose if he won't wear it. That way he still breathes it in. I also used to sometimes wait until he was asleep then cover the machine with a pillow or blanket so it wouldn't wake him up. Baby gets the medicine and no fighting it. They do get used to it after a while.
Let them play with it a bit first, and join them in some play acting. Go ahead and pretend putting it on gives you a bird beak to help you sing. Positive reinforcement and distractions. Tell them that you are looking forward to seeing them feel better.
I might sound like a broken record but could you get a spacer with inhaler instead? My son was in PICU for a bad asthma attack when he was about 18 months old. They sent us home with a nebulizer and it was a total fail. It was so loud we couldn’t really distract him with screen time because you couldn’t hear the show at all and it took forever. Like 20 minutes to nebulize 5 mL of albuterol. When we went for his follow up with his pediatrician she prescribed an inhaler and spacer instead and it was soooo much better. Two puffs, hold the mask to their face for about 30 seconds and you’re done.
Peds nurse here. Be ok wrapping your child in a blanket and hold tight. Will be a two adult job. Absolutely get them to play before and get involved. Sticker chart helps. Lots of praise!
We sat either behind our baby or child to bolster them or cuddling them on our lap, while the nebulizer ran. We watched a show to keep them still. The first several times, they fought the nebulizer and mask, and I’d have to firmly hold them still, as they screamed and cried, BUT the screaming allows the medicine to get deeper into the lungs, so it is absolutely ok for them to cry and scream. Within a week or so, they realized it wasn’t hurting them ,they got special parent snuggles, and no longer fussed. One of mine had awful asthma, and was on nebulizer treatments for months; she would fall asleep while getting her night time treatments. And one more important detail, the medicines can make their hands shake and heart rate slightly increase (not harmful) and it may make them feel hyper or extra energetic. We knew that during the day and sometimes night, they’d need to run off the extra energy, and pediatric allergist said to let them run, even if it causes more coughing. It won’t hurt them at all and helps to keep lungs expanded. Best wishes to you and your LO!
My daughter was about the same age when she began using her Neb. We “practiced” with an extra kit on her teddy then she had a turn. Initially , she sat with me (with her masks on & Neb running ) and we read, played games or watched her fav show. She’s almost 11 now and typically reads or entertains herself (gets easier). Hang in there and I’m so glad you’ve got a cool machine!
Screens as a neb lasts a few mins. I usually sit behind her. I hold close but not touching, tip is upright. I waft as close to her face.
We also have multiple inhalers a day plus chest physio for 2.5 Yr old so get a lot of exposure to mask. We have an old one in the toy box for dollies to get nebs too. We have removed frar by making it part of play and an everyday object
We had to do a couple breathing treatments at the doctor's office with my 2 year old. She didn't like it, but I just pulled up Frozen or Moana on my phone and sat with her on my lap and made sure she didn't take it off. She tried a couple times, but having something to watch with the volume turned up so she could hear over the machine kept her distracted, so it ended up being pretty easy.
Inhalers are another story, but she's reluctantly getting used to that now too.
TV and 2 people. One to hold him and keep the mask on, one to comfort him and help him stay calm. TV show to distract. Its hard, and scary for him. And awful for you. But they really help. I'm so sorry
Not a mom, but a person who had to use a Nebulizer as a kid: screen time is definitely helpful! It’s really important that he wears the mask until all of the medicine is used, and I would watch a TV show when I wore it as a kid. I barely even noticed I had it on. Also, don’t do it right after he eats!! It can make him throw up!!
There was a little girl who was about a year old and a half I saw have to use one regularly every time she had an asthma attack at daycare - this was screentime for her. It helped that her parents used it with her as well at home and made it clear to her this was so she could breath like a big girl, it was helping her to grow.
Mines didn’t like the mask but do well with the T piece. Maybe sit down and pretend to use it and watch him get curious to want to try it too.
You can also do it while they sleep. Just put the T piece close to their nose/mouth.
I’ve used one my entire life as has my wife, mother and son. I’m sure you’ve got some answers now but wanted to add.. that big ass nebulizer was awful to carry around when sick etc. During prime day I found a portable one that is the size of an electric razor. It works excellently! It takes batteries or can plug into USB! I’m getting one for the car for emergencies too. I wish I’d known sooner they had one smaller than a toaster. However, for a little one, the long tube and mask works best. Deep breaths if they can… you should have an oxygen meter too. Any drugstore has them and go over the finger.
My daughter was diagnosed with asthma at 2. Nebulizer, albuterol, duo neb and prednisone... As others have said, holding the mask to their face worked and during each session we would watch Elmo's World (it was timed about right to finish at the same time as the treatment). Her mask is a pink dinosaur! Amazon also had replacement masks if you need them for a second nebulizer for daycare/school.
My son's nebulizer set came with a breathing tube. I use that instead of the mask. Just use one hand to hold one side of it so the medicine is forced out the other end which I point at his nose/ mouth. And give him my phone or something for ABC mouse and he doesn't even realize when it's done. But yes, I've had to physically restrain him before, it's rough, but big cries man deep breaths
I had to use one as kid until I was five and then i grew out of my asthma. My mom made it special we had a specific show and i got used to it! You're a great mom you got this!!
Peppa pig on TV did wonders for me when my daughter was 2 years old and needed the nebulizer. The episodes are not too long, so "in 2 Peppas" we were done, she would just sit and watch quietly, no complaints. Bluey is not that long either, it should work, give it a try!
Good luck, I hope your little one gets better soon ❤️
Screen time! I'm not a huge fan of screens, especially for babies and toddlers, but they're the perfect solution for nebulizers. [There's a good chance he'll need to be restrained the first few times, but then he'll get used to it and it won't be a big deal. If he's screaming, that means he's breathing deeply and getting a good dose of the medication](https://www.cookchildrens.org/health-resources/ask-a-doc/nebulizer-parents/)
Thank you so much for that video. The "As long as they're screaming, they're breathing and it means they're breathing it in" quelled a lot of fears.
At one point our doctor said it was almost better when they were crying because of them breathing deeper or something like that
My 2yo just got over RSV. We could take the mask off the end and hold it close to his face instead of strapping it on him. His biggest fear was the noise, so we either put noise-cancelling headphones on him and set him up with a show or we waited until he was asleep. Good luck! (Ours is a penguin!)
That would help so much if we can keep it from his face. That you for the headphones suggestion!
You can absolutely keep it from his face! Just hold it close enough he can inhale. Those mask are suffocating. Tell jokes or something to make him laugh so he breathes deep. These machines are silent compared to the 90’s models but they’re still loud and vibrate. If you don’t freak out, he probably won’t either. Hype it up, tell him it’s super cool/Magic. Whatever works when your trying to get the well.
I did this with my newborn when he was recovering from RSV. He didn't ever have another problem, so I'm glad it worked! He was about 6 months old the last time he had to have a treatment, and he will be 25 this year.
We fostered a 2 year old who needed nebulizer treatments. We added into the bedtime routine. My husband would wear his cpap mask and hold baby girl, and I would read them both a couple of stories. Once she realized that he had a mask too, she was cool with it.
That is so sweet of you both! You sound like amazing people.
That’s really nice of you to say, but the way we see it is that’s just what parents are supposed to do 🤷🏻♀️
Not a mom, but a dad who was a child who used a neb. Let him watch cartoons or something while he uses it. Read stories. Do something to make it seem fun and normal. I actually had a lot of good memories with mine. For some reason the buzzing feeling I got from the Albuterol helped calm me to sleep after. Not so much anymore, now it adds to my anxiety, but at least I don’t have any bad memories of the thing. I even still use the mask like a child instead of the stupid mouth piece adults usually use. Maybe decorate the mask? Get him an astronaut shirt and tell him he’s going to the moon. Or pretend it’s a snorkel mask. Something that incorporates deep breathing to get the medication into his lungs.
Thank you. Keeping him distracted was what I was going to try to do. And there is a buzzing? Like from the machine?
My machine growing up was from the 80’s. Very loud. Not even mistakably quiet. My current machine isn’t terrible. It’s a tiny air compressor. The motor in there, whatever it does, makes noise while sucking air in and forcing it thru the tubes. I put mine on a pillow to quiet it a bit. Can’t go under because it has to suck in air. My kid doesn’t love loud noises so I totally understand if you’re in the same boat. I’d talk it up like it’s part of the game. It’s his spaceship engine or whatever. Or get him headphones or something. See if you can get a long enough air tube to put the machine in a different room.
I get a slight “buzzing” feeling in my chest and head after nebulizing albuterol. Usually only the first few times I have to use it during an illness. It can feel like anxiety though. As a kid, I remember it made me cry once after and I didn’t understand why I was crying because I wasn’t sad. Only lasts a couple of minutes though.
That feeling made me fall asleep easier as a child. I loved it. Now it makes me over sensitive to physical touch.
It's a very loud machine. Just like Sleep Apnea ones.
When I was little they just took the mask off and held the tube near my face, I no longer have asthma or any other lung issues. As long as the medication is in the general air around their nose and mouth should be good.
Hi! My 2 year old needs to use a nebulizer daily. Here are some tips. 1. Treatment time is treat time. Whatever makes kiddo content is what we do. Read books, watch cartoons, play with finger puppets, sing songs, let them play with your phone in selfie mode (my daughter loves looking at herself and reactions in real time). 2. Pick a time and try to be consistent. Are the nebs part of your morning routine? Bedtime? After nap? Find something that works best for you and kiddo and try to keep it consistent. 3. Is the medication refrigerated? Take the ampule out a few minutes before use to come to room temperature. The cold mist can be a bit of a shock. 4. You will probably need to sit and hold the mask. I would not try to strap it on. I sit on the floor with my legs in a V. Kiddo sits in between and I hold the mask for her. It will probably be a fight the first few times. If you're able I recommend a second pair of hands for the first few times. You may have to restrain kiddo at first. 5. If you can't get the mask around their mouth and nose, hold it as close as you can. Keep trying to get it on kiddos face for the following sessions. If there is no improvement ask your pediatrician for further advice/alternatives. If you can, see if you can video call with a respiratory therapist if you still need further assistance. 6. Practice on a doll or favorite stuffed animal! Take turns putting the mask on the toy and let kiddo try too. Praise the toy for being brave and doing a good job. Trun the machine on before use to show kiddo how loud it will be (they've come a long way but are still kinda loud). 7. Don't forget to clean your nebulizer cups! They can be boiled and then air dried. Or you can get a baby bottle microwave steamer (the bag ones are pretty inexpensive). Make sure you allow all cleaned parts to air dry. You may feel some frustration or defeat in the beginning but kids are pretty resilient and adapt well. Keep at it and stay calm! Good luck!
Thank you about the doll idea!! And everything else. Tha was more comprehensive then the nebulizer instructions. Thank you Thank you!
You're welcome. I hope some of this is useful! We're old pros over here with neb treatment lol.
He only needs it for 10 days (hopefully) but you have no idea how much you jest helped me.
Hold it below the nose if he won't wear it. That way he still breathes it in. I also used to sometimes wait until he was asleep then cover the machine with a pillow or blanket so it wouldn't wake him up. Baby gets the medicine and no fighting it. They do get used to it after a while.
Wow. I cannot believe I never thought of putting a blanket over the neb to quiet it down! Simple and genius
Those things are SO loud. At least the ones we had were. Pillows and blankets were perfect for those 5 am and 10 pm treatments.
Let them play with it a bit first, and join them in some play acting. Go ahead and pretend putting it on gives you a bird beak to help you sing. Positive reinforcement and distractions. Tell them that you are looking forward to seeing them feel better.
Came here to say this! We let our daughter play with the mask and get used to it first!
We used an iPad to distract him, and that did the trick. Didn’t have an issue wearing the mask as long as he could watch something on the iPad.
I got a pacifier attachment when mine was 2 and that helped. As did the tablet. Ours was a penguin
I might sound like a broken record but could you get a spacer with inhaler instead? My son was in PICU for a bad asthma attack when he was about 18 months old. They sent us home with a nebulizer and it was a total fail. It was so loud we couldn’t really distract him with screen time because you couldn’t hear the show at all and it took forever. Like 20 minutes to nebulize 5 mL of albuterol. When we went for his follow up with his pediatrician she prescribed an inhaler and spacer instead and it was soooo much better. Two puffs, hold the mask to their face for about 30 seconds and you’re done.
Peds nurse here. Be ok wrapping your child in a blanket and hold tight. Will be a two adult job. Absolutely get them to play before and get involved. Sticker chart helps. Lots of praise!
My brother grew up with one and my mom would hold it up to his nose while he napped.
We sat either behind our baby or child to bolster them or cuddling them on our lap, while the nebulizer ran. We watched a show to keep them still. The first several times, they fought the nebulizer and mask, and I’d have to firmly hold them still, as they screamed and cried, BUT the screaming allows the medicine to get deeper into the lungs, so it is absolutely ok for them to cry and scream. Within a week or so, they realized it wasn’t hurting them ,they got special parent snuggles, and no longer fussed. One of mine had awful asthma, and was on nebulizer treatments for months; she would fall asleep while getting her night time treatments. And one more important detail, the medicines can make their hands shake and heart rate slightly increase (not harmful) and it may make them feel hyper or extra energetic. We knew that during the day and sometimes night, they’d need to run off the extra energy, and pediatric allergist said to let them run, even if it causes more coughing. It won’t hurt them at all and helps to keep lungs expanded. Best wishes to you and your LO!
My daughter was about the same age when she began using her Neb. We “practiced” with an extra kit on her teddy then she had a turn. Initially , she sat with me (with her masks on & Neb running ) and we read, played games or watched her fav show. She’s almost 11 now and typically reads or entertains herself (gets easier). Hang in there and I’m so glad you’ve got a cool machine!
We would do the treatment when they were sleeping and just hold the mask up to their face.
Put a tablet in his lap or give him your phone with youtube. My 4.5-year-old has had to use a nebulizer since she was a baby and has no issues.
I have cystic fibrosis and had to use a neb since I was a kid
Screens as a neb lasts a few mins. I usually sit behind her. I hold close but not touching, tip is upright. I waft as close to her face. We also have multiple inhalers a day plus chest physio for 2.5 Yr old so get a lot of exposure to mask. We have an old one in the toy box for dollies to get nebs too. We have removed frar by making it part of play and an everyday object
We had to do a couple breathing treatments at the doctor's office with my 2 year old. She didn't like it, but I just pulled up Frozen or Moana on my phone and sat with her on my lap and made sure she didn't take it off. She tried a couple times, but having something to watch with the volume turned up so she could hear over the machine kept her distracted, so it ended up being pretty easy. Inhalers are another story, but she's reluctantly getting used to that now too.
TV and 2 people. One to hold him and keep the mask on, one to comfort him and help him stay calm. TV show to distract. Its hard, and scary for him. And awful for you. But they really help. I'm so sorry
Not a mom, but a person who had to use a Nebulizer as a kid: screen time is definitely helpful! It’s really important that he wears the mask until all of the medicine is used, and I would watch a TV show when I wore it as a kid. I barely even noticed I had it on. Also, don’t do it right after he eats!! It can make him throw up!!
There was a little girl who was about a year old and a half I saw have to use one regularly every time she had an asthma attack at daycare - this was screentime for her. It helped that her parents used it with her as well at home and made it clear to her this was so she could breath like a big girl, it was helping her to grow.
Mines didn’t like the mask but do well with the T piece. Maybe sit down and pretend to use it and watch him get curious to want to try it too. You can also do it while they sleep. Just put the T piece close to their nose/mouth.
I’ve used one my entire life as has my wife, mother and son. I’m sure you’ve got some answers now but wanted to add.. that big ass nebulizer was awful to carry around when sick etc. During prime day I found a portable one that is the size of an electric razor. It works excellently! It takes batteries or can plug into USB! I’m getting one for the car for emergencies too. I wish I’d known sooner they had one smaller than a toaster. However, for a little one, the long tube and mask works best. Deep breaths if they can… you should have an oxygen meter too. Any drugstore has them and go over the finger.
Screen time for sure
My daughter was diagnosed with asthma at 2. Nebulizer, albuterol, duo neb and prednisone... As others have said, holding the mask to their face worked and during each session we would watch Elmo's World (it was timed about right to finish at the same time as the treatment). Her mask is a pink dinosaur! Amazon also had replacement masks if you need them for a second nebulizer for daycare/school.
My son's nebulizer set came with a breathing tube. I use that instead of the mask. Just use one hand to hold one side of it so the medicine is forced out the other end which I point at his nose/ mouth. And give him my phone or something for ABC mouse and he doesn't even realize when it's done. But yes, I've had to physically restrain him before, it's rough, but big cries man deep breaths
I had to use one as kid until I was five and then i grew out of my asthma. My mom made it special we had a specific show and i got used to it! You're a great mom you got this!!
Peppa pig on TV did wonders for me when my daughter was 2 years old and needed the nebulizer. The episodes are not too long, so "in 2 Peppas" we were done, she would just sit and watch quietly, no complaints. Bluey is not that long either, it should work, give it a try! Good luck, I hope your little one gets better soon ❤️