Tips for getting 4yo to use inhaler

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Hi my 4yo ds has been prescribed an inhaler and spacer but I don't think he is using it properly.

I think he is just breathing it into his mouth and straight back out again without it going into his lungs if that makes sense?

Anything I can do to help him or will be just get the hang of it eventually?

Deffo get a mask for it much easier

Get them to sing a song like wheels on bus cos they will find it fun and will take deep breaths while using mask as you hold them and spacer

Put stickers all over the outside to make it look fun, or let the child put stickers on it if old enough which is great for 4 year old

My 4yo can’t use a spacer without a mask at all, he just doesn’t seem to be able to keep his mouth the right shape.

You can probably buy one with a mask at the chemist?

We sing a song from
YouTube 1-10 ‘counting from one to ten hey’ which means he breathes for long enough.

Do give him a drink after using inhaler as it is better for you to rinse

Asthmatic DS2 just turned 5.

We had our aerochamber removed by the hospital (when he was 4, admitted with an acute asthma attack) as it is not as effective as one of the big spacers.

We were also told he should NOT be using a mask at this age either - again, it was taken away. At 4 they should be using the mouthpiece.

We were told all this by a paediatric asthma consultant - it directly contradicted what we'd been told/prescribed by the GP's asthma nurse. So I would really recommend sticking with the large spacer and mouthpiece if you can.

DS2 struggled a bit to transition from the mask to the mouthpiece. We now model the right type of breathing to him as he's doing it. So a long breath in (slow count to 4), long exhale (slow count to 4). Ten times. This stops him panting it in and straight back out again.

It's second nature to him now.

We were told different by two respiratory consultants about the mask. We tried without and it wasn’t as effective for us so went back to it. He is now 8 and is fine without the mask (due to autism and ld took him longer to get used!) but we still have a spacer with mask for nighttime use!

I think it's a bit scary how different the advice can be. The consultant we saw was really angry that we'd been prescribed the Aerochamber in place of the Volumatic spacer and that we'd been advised to use the mask.

I successfully managed one of DS's asthma attacks for the first time ever last night, using the mouthpiece. Previously (when using the mask) we've ended up in A&E. So it is a definite improvement for us.

The volumatic v aero chamber is one where generally we have had the same advice all along. We do have aerochambers for our and about but otherwise it’s volumatics!

Ha, yes, I need a massive handbag to carry the Volumatic, inhlaer, 2 epi pens and a bottle of antihistamine!

Thanks everyone I think he's near enough worked out how to do it. The problem I'm having now is that when he wakes up in the night with a coughing fit, he WILL NOT have the inhaler. He will just cry and refuse. Tonight he near enough made himself sick coughing and gasping for breath but still wouldn't take the inhaler. So frustrating!

I think he can use the mask if he is crying