A nebulizer is a device that administers a drug as inhalable mist, letting the medicine reach the lungs better and work faster. Nebulizers for babies may be needed to treat or manage respiratory illnesses, which may not be curable through topical and oral medications. If you intend to use a nebulizer, knowing the right procedure to use the device is essential to ensure the medicine is administered effectively. Read this post to learn about the different types of nebulizers, how they work, how they are different from inhalers, and tips to use a nebulizer carefully to administer medications to babies and toddlers.
What Is A Nebulizer And How Does It Work?
A nebulizer is a device that converts liquid medicine into a fine mist that is inhaled and delivered across the respiratory system, to the lungs (1). The nebulizer has three basic components: an air compressor, a medicine cup, and a mouthpiece or a mask – used for infants. Add a few drops of the medicine into the medicine cup, turn on the air compressor, and place the mask on the baby’s face to deliver the medicine in the form of a mist that can be inhaled. A nebulizer thus allows the drug to reach parts of the respiratory system directly.
Are Nebulizers The Same As Inhalers?
No, they are different, although their primary function remains the same, which is delivering medicine in the form of inhalable mist. The following table lists the differences between nebulizers and inhalers (medical term: metered-dose inhalers) (2): Inhalers require coordination between the press of the inhaler pump and inhalation. It means the baby needs to inhale at the same time as a parent presses the inhaler pump to release the medicine. It is nearly impossible for a baby to time their breathing. Thankfully, a device called a spacer can make the use of inhaler easy. A doctor will decide what works best for the baby depending on the age of the baby, their medical condition, and the medicine to be delivered. Ultimately, nebulizers are more complex than inhalers, although you get more options with a nebulizer. With the risk of COVID, doctors have been advising the use of a spacer rather than a nebulizer, because nebulizers cause more aerosolization and increase the risk of droplet spread and contamination.
Types Of Nebulizers
The following are the different types of nebulizers depending on how they create the mist: The type of nebulizer needed depends on factors like the medicine, dosage, and frequency of medication. The next section tells you why an infant may need a nebulizer in the first place.
When Is Nebulizer Used For Babies?
A baby can need a nebulizer when they have the following conditions, which require delivery of the medicine into the respiratory system: A nebulizer can vaporize different types of medicine depending on the treatment required.
What Medicines Are Used In A Nebulizer?
A doctor can prescribe a wide variety of medicines for delivery through a nebulizer. These include antibiotics, airway relaxants, and corticosteroids to reduce inflammation. Adrenalin inhalations are used in a hospital setting for severe croup and airway obstruction. The baby can also inhale plain saline water mist to moist their airways when they are dry. Most doses of the medicine would be administered at home as per the doctor’s prescription. Therefore, parents must know the right way of using a nebulizer.
How To Use A Nebulizer With An Infant?
Follow these steps when administering medicine to the baby through a nebulizer: It is essential to clean the tube, mouthpiece, and medicine cup every time after using the nebulizer.
How To Keep A Nebulizer Clean?
You will only need to clean the mask/mouthpiece, and the medicine cup. There is no need to clean the tube every time but it needs needs cleaning every now and then. Parts of the nebulizer should be rinsed after every use and sterilized/disinfected once a week. Below are the steps to rinse and disinfect the nebulizer components:
Rinse:
Sterilize:
Avoid sterilization if the manufacturer does not specify it. Boiling and contact with disinfecting fluids may damage the nebulizer components if it is not designed for it. In such cases, clean and sterilize using the manufacturer’s recommended methods. All the rinsed and sterilized parts of the nebulizer should be dry before their use. Assemble all the components and have a dry run of the nebulizer (without medicine) to remove any minuscule levels of moisture left inside it. Disassemble and store the parts in a clean and dry place. Using the nebulizer with a baby can be a bit challenging. In the next section, we give you tips to get the most out of nebulizer usage for a baby.
Tips For Nebulizer Use With Infants
Here are some recommended best practices when using a nebulizer for an infant: 4. How often should I nebulize my child?
