lung clearing with physio - how do you do it?

[meltedmarsbars]

We did it when dd2 was tiny, now we need to restart again, (she is 7 now), 30 mins twice a day (like I have a spare hour!!!) to clear sticky mucus. I had the re-training yesterday.

How do you make the child lie still? How to get her to co-operate? She's very wriggly and independant - even though she can't get anywhere much.

[Woooozle100]

are you trying to do the percussion thing where they lie on their side, you cup yr hands and tap them?

I'd just stick the telly on Works with my dd

Or maybe some sort of activity where yr dd2 could be laid down and reaching up to play with something (dunno if that would be a bit dull and basic for her) I could tie some bits and bobs onto a clothes rail and that would amuse my dd for a bit

Maybe ask for ideas in 'health' cos there's a few people here with dc with cf that could advise

[meltedmarsbars]

Yes its the percussion thingy - thanks for ideas

[bubble2bubble]

TV usually works for us, but then DD is only 2 and easily enthralled by Peppa Pig ad infinitum. Doing it at the same time every day means - usually - that the same thing is on TV so it just becomes the normal thing to do at that time

The other thing that can help is singing along to the rhythm you are tapping out,and counting the compressions out loud - that so that the DC is kind of joining in IYkWIM.

It's not easy

[meltedmarsbars]

Thanks for that - looks like we'll be watching a lot of Mr Tumble!

[bubble2bubble]

the other thing that sometimes works is a bit of gentle tickling to distract them - if your dc tolerates it - in between percussions, and laughing is good for the lungs as well

doing physio on teddy/ dolly/family pets(!)can sometimes be helpful

alternatively, getting daddy/grandparent/sibling to do a bit of singing or silly dancing during physio can be good

30 minutes is a long time for both of you - you have my sympathy