Pediatric Nebulizers for Breathing Treatment
Pediatric Nebulizer Compressors administer liquid medication directly into the lungs and bloodstream by pressurizing it into a fine mist. The nebulizer for kids are often used for treating breathing disorders such as COPD, asthma, bronchitis or used for other lung therapies as recommended by a physician. These pediatric nebulizers are designed to encourage and excite children to have their treatment, children’s nebulizers come in fun designs and tend to be quieter. Often weighing less than 5 pounds and compact in size, Pediatric Compressor Nebulizers do not take up much space for treatment and can often be used as a portable nebulizer, depending on the power source required.
To further encourage children to take their treatment, Vitality Medical also offers a supply of pediatric nebulizer masks. With the additional characters and colors, children don’t have to be so scared or reluctant to get the medication they need.
Why Use a Nebulizer for Your Child?
Using a nebulizer helps treat symptoms of many respiratory conditions. When your child can breathe better, they are able to live the life you imagine for them unhindered. While a nebulizer requires a prescription for purchase, they are able to treat common conditions such as:
- Croup
- Chronic sinusitis
- Asthma
- RSV
- Bronchiolitis
- Cystic fibrosis
- Reactive airway disease
- Rhinitis (Common Cold)
Components
While each nebulizer is just a little bit different, each has a few consistent parts that are key to how the nebulizer works. Specifics will vary by model. Always be sure to check the instruction manual for your specific model for instructions and proper use of these and other parts. To have a fully functioning system, you will need to ensure you have all of the following:
- The nebulizer compressor itself. It powers the system by mixing air with the medication, making it easier to breathe in.
- Having a mouthpiece or mask is essential for breathing in the medication once it becomes a mist.
- Called either the nebulizer cup or medication cup, this piece holds the medication.
- Tubing transfers air from the compressor to the medicine cup attached to the mouthpiece.
- Tubing connectors ensure the attachment from the tube to the medication cup is secure.
Tips to Know
- Keeping your filter and equipment clean can help facilitate treatment. Dirty equipment can slow down treatment time.
- Follow guidelines set by the user manual and your healthcare professional.
- Children must remain upright and breathe deeply for most effective treatment.
Making it Fun
While fun masks and nebulizers can certainly make treatment time more fun, there are certainly more tips and tricks to help children look forward to treatment, rather than just putting up with it. Here are a few tricks that have been helpful to other parents:
- Use the nebulizer during their favorite TV show
- Make it a special time for you and your child to spend time together
- Read books or play board games with your child
- Use positive talk and reinforce the benefits of how the nebulizer is a helper
- Use role playing games to pretend the mask changes them into an alien, firefighter, dragon, super hero, etc.
- Use stickers on a chart once treatment is completed
Cleaning
To avoid growth of mold and bacteria, your nebulizer should be cleaned often. This includes changing of any filters, depending on the model purchased. Be sure to check the cleaning instructions and instructions for use for each product to ensure the best cleaning process. For example, there are mouthpieces/masks and tubing that are designed for single use only and should be disposed of after every use, rather than cleaned. If these pieces are reusable and need to be cleaned, as a general guideline, pieces should be soaked for 15 minutes in warm water with soap. Rinse thoroughly and then air dry completely before next use. To clean the nebulizer compressor, use a rag to keep it free from dust.
