Hellobee Boards

My LO was first prescribed it at about 5 months old. He also hated it for a long time. When I had to do it alone, I would hold him with one arm and and the mask with the other. I also strapped in his bouncy seat sometimes.. Last year I sang Christmas carols at the top of my lungs and he'd sometimes calm down. We'd also watch videos on my phone. The doctor had told us the same thing that it was even better if he was crying.

Does your LO take a pacifier? She can keep it in her mouth since it's about getting it into her lungs and doesn't matter if it's through the mouth or nose. Also you could try doing it when she's asleep if she'd sleep through the noise of the machine.

When all else fails, I try to remind myself that he will never remember these moments; I just have to get us both through them. We still have to use the nebulizer sometimes and it has gotten much better now. Good luck mama! You can do it!!

Ellie had to start doing them when she was 12 weeks. She had RSV and she was so sick she really didn't fight at all. She used a small mask and I would just hold her. We actually have our own nebulizer and albuterol at home because she has mild asthma and sometimes during the fall when her allergies are aggravated she will need to use it regularly for a few days to alleviate her coughing and wheezing. Is there something she likes to do that you could hold her on your lap for? Look at a book? If it's clear that there is no alternative to just getting through it, I think strapping her in her carseat is probably a pretty reasonable idea-- it would help you make sure that she gets the full treatment. I never noticed any poop changes-- could it be related to the extra stress? I'd check with her doctor. So sorry-- I know it's miserable for both of you.
ETA: Yes! Ask about the inhaler-- I didn't think to mention it because she's so small, but that would probably cut down on all sorts of trauma on both sides.

Do you have to use the mask? Our nebulizer comes with a nozzle that we point at his face.

Albuterol never affected my son's bowel movements, but it does affect his behaviour. By his last treatment of the day, he is much more aggressive.

I prefer MDIs (metered dose inhalers) with a spacer and mask. For kids who really fight and have to do men's, I have them sit in mom's lap with baby facing forward and mom holding the mask to baby's face. Mom basically acts as restraints for the little one.

Wishing you best of luck and quick healing. There have been some nasty viruses out there.

We've used a nebulizer with albuterol since DS was 4 months old. We get the same reaction you do and it is one of my LEAST favorite parenting tasks, my ped acted like that reaction was normal and its great because they get so much of the meds in their lungs. Watch when you give it or it can really screw with sleep, obviously when she's really wheezing I'd give it no matter the time but when it calms down I always dropped the session nearest bedtime first. My daycare lady said to use the nozzle but my ped said it isn't as effective because they don't breathe as much in. It is way easier though.

No idea on the poop, I can't remember his ever changing.

We have to do it on a regular basis. I can only do it by myself if I strap the mask to his face and pin his arms down while he's sitting in my lap my MIL apparently has better luck strapping him in the high chair and using the nozzle.

His poop has always been weird so I can't comment on that. Sorry you have to go through all this!

We use one pretty frequently. It helps of we turn on a movie. We also demonstrated on her stuffed animals and ourselves a few times. It's mostly the noise that she doesn't like and putting the strap over her head so I just hold if up to her face.

We just did it for the first time but my LO is two so watching Frozen was enough to get him to sit still.

For your Lo, I'd probably strap her in something. My nurse also said have the mask below the face if she struggling so she still gets most of the vapor. I would also play with it on your other LO or animals or when it's off. Or turn the machine on with no mask if the sound is scaring her. You could always do just saline with your other LO to demonstrate...

Our mask is super flexible, so hopefully scraping isn't an issue!