Breathing Machine - Help

gigimarie · July 2009

After meeting with the allergist a couple weeks ago they strongly believe that Sophia has asthma and seasonal allergies. She plans to wait until she is a bit older to test her allergies but they started us right away on breathing treatments to see if it helped at all with her breathing. The treatments are working and I can already tell a huge difference in her breathing/ coughing. The issue is Sophia HATES the nebulizer and I mean kicking, flailing arms kind of hate. My DH and I have tried everything we can think of to try to ?entertain? her during the process. We have tried holding the mask up to ourselves and laughing trying to show it is fun, given her non-toys she is usually not allowed to play with and nothing seems to work. When the nebulizer is off she wants to play with the mask, the second we turn it on and hold it up to her face she freaks. Has anyone experienced this and if so any ideas at all?

CreamPuff06 · July 2009

Does your mask have a strap on it? Tessie's does, and I found that she fights it a lot less if we put it on with the strap to hold it in place, rather than hold it ourselves. I've also found that putting stickers all over my face and letting her pull them off was fun for her and helped; I use any kind of sticker I can find, but glittery, sparkly ones seem to work the best. We haven't had to do any treatments for a while; I hope it gets better for your sweet girl!

gigimarie · July 2009

Yes it does have a strap but she constantly yanks it off, she is one stubborn, strong willed little girl. Good call on the stickers though I am definitely going to try that tonight! Thanks Danielle!

mustangsallie · July 2009

Obviously my DD is much younger but we usually let her watch baby einstein, (or just regular TV, *GASP*) and that helps. Or I make the dog come over so she can pet him. Recently I started pointing to random stuff and saying "LOOK" really excitedly and it helped distract her. DD will not use the strap, I have to hold it to her face. As long as its misting in the general area of her mouth you are doing ok! lol

I think we have an allergic baby as well, does she have major coughing issues? Poor babies

amanda7207 · July 2009

Poor little Sophia! When G needs his treatment I turn on Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and hold it up to his face and this usually distracts him. He cannot stand the strap though. Also I've found reading a book to him will distract him if we aren't near the TV. I think she will eventually get use to it.

gigimarie · July 2009

mustangsallie:
Obviously my DD is much younger but we usually let her watch baby einstein, (or just regular TV, *GASP*) and that helps. Or I make the dog come over so she can pet him. Recently I started pointing to random stuff and saying "LOOK" really excitedly and it helped distract her. DD will not use the strap, I have to hold it to her face. As long as its misting in the general area of her mouth you are doing ok! lol

I think we have an allergic baby as well, does she have major coughing issues? Poor babies

Yeah pretty major coughing issues! Hers tend to be the worst when sleeping at night, first thing in the morning and when she gets really excited/ upset. Hopefully this phase of screaming passes quickly because I hate to see her crying like she is.

mustangsallie · July 2009

gigimarie:
mustangsallie:

Obviously my DD is much younger but we usually let her watch baby einstein, (or just regular TV, *GASP*) and that helps. Or I make the dog come over so she can pet him. Recently I started pointing to random stuff and saying "LOOK" really excitedly and it helped distract her. DD will not use the strap, I have to hold it to her face. As long as its misting in the general area of her mouth you are doing ok! lol

I think we have an allergic baby as well, does she have major coughing issues? Poor babies

Yep, that is us. Some night she coughs/cries all night and I lay there and cry with her wishing it would stop.

Maybe its our neighborhood? LOL! I mean we do live like 3 blocks away from each other... coincedence?

It really is heartbreaking though to see them cough and cry, they are obviously in a lot of pain when it happens.

Yeah pretty major coughing issues! Hers tend to be the worst when sleeping at night, first thing in the morning and when she gets really excited/ upset. Hopefully this phase of screaming passes quickly because I hate to see her crying like she is.

Mel&Tom07 · July 2009

Hey I don't post much but just wanted to offer a little encouragement. We are on the neb treamtments constantly and have an allergist appt in a couple weeks.

Just remind yourself, the more she screams, the more she inhales. SO she is actually doing some good. Also, we tried the strap but he pulled it and it snapped back on his cheek. Needless to say, that was our first and only try with it. Singing helps also. Wheels on the bus and patty cake are his faves. It sucks but you are helping your baby breath easier

MrsMeg · July 2009

Mel&Tom07:
Just remind yourself, the more she screams, the more she inhales. SO she is actually doing some good.

This! There were many times that we just had to hold Cole down and he hated it. Then one day it just changed and he sat there fine with it. Have you tried letting her hold it herself? Cole does things better when we let him do it, such as giving him a medicine cup even though I'm worried he'll just spill it- but he is so proud and does what he's supposed to.

Also some encouragement- Cole seemed to have major allergy and breathing/coughing issues when he was just turning one. It was bad for a few months, but it has gotten MUCH better and now he never needs a treatment. So hoping this passes for Sophia as well!

gigimarie · July 2009

mustangsallie:
gigimarie:
mustangsallie:

Obviously my DD is much younger but we usually let her watch baby einstein, (or just regular TV, *GASP*) and that helps. Or I make the dog come over so she can pet him. Recently I started pointing to random stuff and saying "LOOK" really excitedly and it helped distract her. DD will not use the strap, I have to hold it to her face. As long as its misting in the general area of her mouth you are doing ok! lol

I think we have an allergic baby as well, does she have major coughing issues? Poor babies

Yep, that is us. Some night she coughs/cries all night and I lay there and cry with her wishing it would stop.

Maybe its our neighborhood? LOL! I mean we do live like 3 blocks away from each other... coincedence?

It really is heartbreaking though to see them cough and cry, they are obviously in a lot of pain when it happens.

Yeah pretty major coughing issues! Hers tend to be the worst when sleeping at night, first thing in the morning and when she gets really excited/ upset. Hopefully this phase of screaming passes quickly because I hate to see her crying like she is.

Sallie it is so the neighborhood! ha!

gigimarie · July 2009

Mel&Tom07:
Hey I don't post much but just wanted to offer a little encouragement. We are on the neb treamtments constantly and have an allergist appt in a couple weeks.
Just remind yourself, the more she screams, the more she inhales. SO she is actually doing some good. Also, we tried the strap but he pulled it and it snapped back on his cheek. Needless to say, that was our first and only try with it. Singing helps also. Wheels on the bus and patty cake are his faves. It sucks but you are helping your baby breath easier

It is so funny you mention the singing because that is what finally worked. My DH being the goofball that he is started singing the Wonder Pets song and she thought it was too funny. She instantly calmed down and started bobbing her head and swaying her shoulders. I looked at DH and said don't stop and you better learn more songs to be her nightly entertainment!

gigimarie · July 2009

MrsMeg:
Mel&Tom07:
Just remind yourself, the more she screams, the more she inhales. SO she is actually doing some good.
This! There were many times that we just had to hold Cole down and he hated it. Then one day it just changed and he sat there fine with it. Have you tried letting her hold it herself? Cole does things better when we let him do it, such as giving him a medicine cup even though I'm worried he'll just spill it- but he is so proud and does what he's supposed to.
Also some encouragement- Cole seemed to have major allergy and breathing/coughing issues when he was just turning one. It was bad for a few months, but it has gotten MUCH better and now he never needs a treatment. So hoping this passes for Sophia as well!

Thanks Meg, this is great to hear and is encouraging!

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