Helping Your Child Use An Inhaler For The First Time
The below content is derived from research done using sources available on the internet. Safey Medical Devices Inc and its subsidiaries do not take any responsibility for the accuracy of the content. No medical decision should be taken on the basis of below content without consulting with your Medical Practitioner.
It can be overwhelming when your child is diagnosed with asthma. There’s a lot to take in, and suddenly you have to take control of your little one’s medication and treatment. It may also be hard for you as a parent accept that your child will have to manage their asthma for life. But don’t get too wrapped up in some of the problems they may face. Asthma is manageable with the right medication, treatment and lifestyle changes.
One of the first things you and your child will need to get to grips with is how to use their inhaler. The prospect of taking it for the first time can be daunting. It’s important that your little one has a positive experience so that they feel confident about using it again. You want your child to be able to lead a normal life, and correct inhaler use can contribute towards this.
Children are constantly developing. For example, your child may have just discovered how to tie their shoelaces, and now they’re suddenly faced with the task of figuring out how to use an inhaler. It doesn’t seem fair but unfortunately it’s necessary for your child to remain healthy.
If your little one is finding it really tough to use their inhaler, pop back to your doctor for further advice. It might be possible for them to switch to an inhaler that’s slightly easier to use, and your doctor can explain to your child how to take their inhaler in greater detail and give more support.
If you’re wondering how to approach your child’s inhaler use and thinking of showing them for the first time, don’t worry, we’re here to help. With some handy tips, you will be able to face the challenge head on and give your child the best possible experience.
Here are our to tips for helping your child use an inhaler for the first time
Don’t rush it
The last thing you want to do is rush through the process of learning how to use an inhaler. Of course, your child will need to take their medication when they doctor has requested, but just ensure you know what you’re doing before you attempt the first inhaler experience. You need to be well versed in how your child’s inhaler should be used, and be confident enough to give your child the support they need. Take your time explaining everything to your child before you get started.
Do your research
Make sure you’ve done some research so that you’re better informed about the whole process of managing asthma. It’s crucial that your child uses their inhaler properly so that they get the medicine they need into their lungs and have the correct dosage.
Mastering the art of using an inhaler can be tricky at first. So don’t stress out too much if it doesn’t go exactly to plan the first time. There are resources you can use to educate yourself such as Asthma UK. They’ve got an information hub on their website and they’ve also done some handy videos to help explain the correct way to use4 different inhalers. You can check them out here.
Make it fun
Using an inhaler isn’t exactly all that fun, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make it a fun experience for your little one. Depending on their age you could make up a song to sing to help them understand how to take their inhaler. The Safey smart inhaler has toy clip-ons to capture your child’s attention. This can help them to engage with their inhaler a little better and find the whole experience a tad more enjoyable. You can also get fun stickers to put on their inhaler via Asthma UK. Your little one will enjoy putting the stickers on and it will also help to make their inhaler more personal to them.
Mastering the art of using an inhaler can be tricky at first. So don’t stress out too much if it doesn’t go exactly to plan the first time. There are resources you can use to educate yourself such as Asthma UK. They’ve got an information hub on their website and they’ve also done some handy videos to help explain the correct way to use4 different inhalers. You can check them out here.
Explain why they need to do it
Your child may not be happy to take their inhaler without knowing why. They need to understand on some level why they need to use their inhaler, otherwise they just won’t see why they should use it. Try and stay away from focusing on the fact that they’ve got asthma, and drill down into their symptoms.
When they see that the inhaler can help relieve some of their discomfort and make them feel better, they will be more willing to use it. Try and relate everything to their experiences and what they’re going through. You can go into a little detail about the science behind user inhalers and how they work in the body, but try and relate your explanation to things your child can identify with.
Get as much medical advice as possible
Speak to your doctor, research online and seek advice from health professionals. The more you know about the correct inhaler technique the better. You might even be able to get some advice from your doctor on how to approach the subject with your child, and what to do the first time they have to take their inhaler.
Speak to others who have been in the same position
Do you know anyone with kids who have asthma? If you can speak to other parents then they might be able to give you some helpful tips. They can share their past experiences and maybe suggest what works, and what doesn’t.
Every child is different of course, but certain techniques and approaches can be more successful than others. It’s also nice to be able to talk to someone in your situation as an adult to, because some parents find it a particularly testing time.
Rewards
It’s totally up to you, but you can consider giving your child a reward for taking their inhaler when required. Also, the first time they take it, it might be nice to plan something enjoyable for your child to do afterwards as a little reward.
Even if it’s simply spending a little quality time together afterwards. You don’t want to give them too big of a reward or they will expect it every time they take their inhaler! So if you do opt to give them a reward, choose wisely.
Hopefully after reading some of the above info, you feel more prepared. Here’s a quick summary of what we’ve discussed:
- Make taking their inhaler fun and enjoyable
- Try to explain to them why they need to take it
- Don’t rush the first dose, take your time so that their experience is as positive as possible
- Research the correct inhaler technique to make sure you are showing your child the correct way to use their inhaler
- Seek medical advice to make you feel more confident about getting your child to try an inhaler for the first time.
