How do you get a 2 year old to take an inhaler

[TrollyDolly1]

My DS aged 2.9 has had a cough, well more a bark, for the past 3 weeks. Took him to the doctors after he had had it a week but they said it was a virus and would pass. Took
him back today as it has not passed. It is generally much worse on a night, or when he is cold or if he gets upset/excited.

The doctor we saw today was different to who we saw first time round and gave us a brown and a blue inhaler plus a volumiser mask. We have been instructed to give the brown inhaler morning and night and the blue one as required.

Trouble is DS will NOT entertain this mask anywhere near him. He screms till he cant breath and sets off coughing worse. Have dug out stickers and the like but he is just not interested. We have talked about it, DP has "shown" DS him doing it, his special stuffed animal has had a go and now I am at a loss as to what to try next.

Does anyone have any tips on how to make him take it more easily? I hate seeing him all upset.

We just had to give our DD an inhaler for the first time (short term) she is 2.5. She got more used to it as the time went on and at first it was a real struggle but eventually she calmed down and was really good.

My technique is the same for most things. I explained to her why she had to have it, was very firm when she refused or was messing around and found that if I sat her in front of her favourite programme and just let her breathe while watching, things were a lot calmer. I also played a game of 'pretend you're asleep' which seemed to work and made her breathe at an even pace.

You have my sympathy - the inhaler was a piece of cake compared to getting her to take even a tiny bit of foul tasting steroids!

Thanks fizzpops, will try putting him in front of the television next time.

Your poor DS and you too!

DD3 is 2.9 and has inhalers which she uses every day. We did all the things you described, stickers, iggle piggle wearing it, daddy using it and watching Peppa Pig which she loves. Nothing really worked initially, she would scream until she made herself sick. It just took time for her to get used to it really, within a few days she had calmed down and although she still isnt keen on it she does at least keep still now.

It's horrible but it will get better, he really will get used to it.

Thank you tudorrose, your DD's reaction sounds like my DS. At least I know it will get better, it is just so upsetting seeing him in such a state.

My DS is 2.4 and he had to be hospitalized 3 times before the docs gave him an inhaler!
We really struggle to get him to take his inhalers, even with 4 weeks of attempts. Stickers, chocolate bribery, nothing works!

The only things that work are:

1. Rolling him tightly in a towel, "like a sausage roll!", and one adlut holding him tight, whilst a second adult clamps spacer device to his face and operates inhaler.

2. If I'm on my own, I sit on the edge of a chair, stand him in front of me facing away (TV on for distraction!). ThenI link my legs over him, use one arm to clamp his arms down and the other hand to hold spacer and pump inhaler. This rarely works TBH because he struggles so much.

We're working on the theory that if he's screaming at least he's breathing in occasionally!

It's so hard isn't it? I have not had to tackle it on my own yet, can't wait for that one .

I just don't want to scare him but your right, if he is screaming he is breathing it in and it will help, hopefully.

When we first had an inhaler for DD in hospital the nurses showed us how they would do it, sit with your legs out in front of you put DC between your legs, head closest to you and use your legs to hold down their arms. Sounds cruel but worked for us when DD was getting used to it, she's fine with it now. Nurse confirmed that if they are screaming the inhaler is actually more effective. DD got used to it pretty quickly.

We cut a shape out of shiny wrapping paper [Dd1's was a dancing lady] and stuck it inside the spacer, when he sucks and blows the lady [or whatever shape you choose] dances and he gets a sweet. Crude I know but it worked for us, just change the wrapping paper each time you wash the spacer. Consultant told us it wouldn't effect the medication in any way but check if you are worried.

Good luck.

Just wanted to add that it got better with time for us. DD is 2.8 & will now ask for her inhaler. I also let her use the empty (clean) spacer to play with on her dolls & on us & we now have no problems using ot daily.

DD2 hated hers at first, but I think she realised that it actually helped her to breathe so she has got much better. The nurse and I had to fight tooth and nail to get her to take it in the hospital and it was horrible. In addition to the suggestions that have already been made - DD liked to press the inhaler herself (with a bit of help). I think it helped to make her feel a bit more in control.

Thanks for all the tips. If the neighbours were not already up this morning they sure were after we had given him his inhaler! It has only been since yesterday and the majority of posts say it will get better so I will just focus on that. When all comes to all, they are hopefully going to make him better and stop this awful cough. Off to find some shiney wrapping paper .......

Hello
My 2yr old DS has asthma - inhalers were a nightmare at first but he's great with them now. When it was difficult we went for pinning him down between legs as described above/doing it when he was asleep.
One other thought - over the course of time various doctors have given us various spacers. He has no truck at all with the volumatic spacer with its little mask, but the yellow hospital issue one with pictures of teddies on it and a bigger mask works brilliantly for us. So might be worth trying another type?
Good luck!

We have the teddies one. DS is not fooled!

Let him play with it, be a space man, a pilot, take it in the bath & blow bubbles under water.
If all else fails go back to the DR & change it for a different one.
DS2 has one that he puts his lips around rather than a mask & he has to blow in & out & make the volumiser make a noise, he calls it his trumpet!

We sing the puffer song - which is very odd but DS likes it. Loce the idea of the dancing lady, will archive that idea incase i need it!

What anonandlikeit says is important too - we originally had a volumatic - he hated it (very large) and swapped to a areochamber (we had used one of these in hospital at 5 mths) and he was much much better.

We have the one with teddies on it, and I have cut out Thomas from some shiney wrapping paper. He is still going mad and screaming but he gets over it very quickly. Thank you for all the tips!

My DD also aged 2 will not entertain this. My DS took it with no problem - he is 4.

Anyway, you can do it whilst they are asleep.