Advice needed Re: inhalers

[Galena]

Ok, so DD is 15 months (12 months corrected due to prematurity) and has a wheezy chest. Last time we were in hospital Ventolin worked a treat and she was discharged with a Ventolin inhaler and instructions to give up to 10 puffs every 4 hours.

She's wheezy again now and so far we've given the inhaler and she's not been working hard to breathe, so no hospitalisation (Hooray!). However, she hates having the inhaler and screams blue murder all the way through (and 10 puffs takes a bloody long time!). I've been told it's more effective if she breathes normally, not screams.

Any advice as to how to make it less of an ordeal? As soon as she sees the inhaler and spacer come out she starts to cry. We're trying the 'bribe with chocolate buttons' method, but she screams for 5 puffs, is quiet while eating her button and then screams for the next 5!

HELP! I know it does her no harm to scream a little, but I'd love for her to take it nicely.

Don't give her chocolate buttons.

Let her play with it but to be honest, at this age she's going to scream no matter what so you are better off just getting on with it. Children are very rarely compliant at this age.

Why not chocolate buttons, Belle?

Pixie, to be honest, I've not tried while she's asleep. I'm a bit of a coward about doing anything when she's asleep - she's a notoriously bad sleeper, so when she is asleep I don't like to risk waking her. I guess I'll have to bite the bullet and just give it a go.

Why not chocolate buttons? It's not good to give a sugary reward every time she has medication, especially if it's something she may need long term. Bribary doesn't work with a child this young, nothing does. Your best bet is to let her play with it so she's not afraid. The asthmatic teddy is a good idea.

I understand what you're going through! It's really hard work! We found that putting on a favourite DVD (Thomas at this age) calmed and distracted DD suitably, and by the tim she was 22 months she realised how much better it made her feel and began to request the inhaler when needed.

Thanks for the advice folks. Well, giving teddy the inhaler didn't work - she just started screaming and pulling the spacer off his face! She chews plays with the spacer very happily, but as soon as the inhaler goes in the end of it she starts to scream. TV doesn't work - nor do bubbles which are her absolute favourite!

I think I'll just have to put up with the screams. Ho hum. Luckily she's much better and we're only dosing once a day before bed at the moment.