Aersol for children

As your child wheezes, an aerosol was prescribed by the doctor. In an aerosol, the prescribed medication is administered by nebulisation (or atomisation) using an aerosol mask and an aerosol device.

The aerosol mask with reservoir must be purchased and is personal. You can rent the aerosol device from the pharmacy, or from the mutual insurance company if needed for a longer period.

• aerosol mask with reservoir
• connecting pipe
• aerosol device
• socket
• medication
• clean cotton cloth

You should preferably administer the aerosol before feeding, as after an aerosol your child will cough up the loosened mucous, sometimes resulting in.

When your child is very hungry, it is better to give the bottle first. This way, the child does not get upset or too tired to drink after the aerosol.

• Wash your hands.
• Check that your aerosol tank is clean and dry. There should be no more water droplets in it.
• Drip the medication into the aerosol container as prescribed by the physician.
• Screw the mask onto the jar and connect it to the device.
  Note: always keep the jar with mask straight, otherwise the medication will be lost.
• Put your child in a comfortable, upright position or take your child on your lap.
• Hold the mask in front of your child's nose and mouth, then turn on the device. Your child may keep a dummy in the mouth during aerosol administration.
• The device atomises the medication for about ten minutes.
• In between, you may slightly shake the aerosol container so that the drops of medication fall back into the jar against the rim.

After the aerosol, your child can then drink his bottle of milk. If it has already drunk, offer it a sip of water. An older child can best rinse its mouth with some water. This way, you avoid a fungal infection in the mouth and the teeth will stay beautiful.

• After the aerosol, rinse the mask, jar and float with really hot water.
• Let everything air dry in a clean cotton cloth (sides open) that you change daily.

The physician always prescribes how many times a day your child should receive an aerosol:

• either four aerosols doses a day (every four hours): morning - afternoon - around 4pm - before bedtime;
• or three aerosol doses a day: in the morning - around 2pm - (for older children, possibly just after school) - before bedtime;
• or aerosol twice a day: in the morning - before bedtime.

Always keep some toys or books handy to distract your child during the aerosol. A ritual with soothing music or a DVD can also help. Reassure the child: an aerosol does not hurt and makes things better. Gentle singing and rocking can work wonders.

Do you have any questions after reading this information? You can always contact your attending physician through the secretariat or a ward nurse: +32 (0)9 387 72 40.

Download the leaflet about aerosol for children here.