Any tips for helping a 4-year-old use a spacer and inhaler without tears at bedtime? In clinic this week I coached families to do two slow puffs and count 10 breaths while we “blow up a pretend balloon,” but a few kiddos still get scared once the mask touches their face. What gentle routines or play ideas have helped at home or in your practice?
Try a two-minute “spaceship countdown” desensitization before bed: let them put the mask on a stuffed animal, then your face, then their own cheek and finally nose/mouth, and they say ‘go’ when ready while you do one puff and 10 quiet breaths. Giving them the job of pressing the canister (with your hand guiding) flipped the control and cut tears for my 4-year-old; if the mask still spooks them, a mouthpiece spacer can work at this age if they can seal lips. Has anyone tried pairing it with a favorite short show for the first week to build the habit?
@lisa_brown97 +1; before bedtime, warm the mask, then let them trigger the first puff.
Let them decorate the spacer, then pair your “10 breaths” with a 60‑second sand timer; daytime practice helps.