Life is hard enough when your child is not feeling good, it is unbelievable when the doctor says that your child is also having breathing issues. We recently found out that our house rental was infested with black mold and it was causing Juliana and I to be sick. My husband has also been showing some issues with coughing and had bronchitis about 6 weeks ago. We moved out but we have been living there for 6 months and I am sure the problem was there from the start – only invisible.
Juliana is 3 months old and already she must use an inhaler. The doctor prescribed her two different strength inhalers that must be administered within a special tube designed for babies. In addition, we must take her to a kiné (physical therapist) 6 times for chest physical therapy.
The medicine from a typical-looking inhaler is administered through this special tube. One end of the tube is fitted with a very soft round area that goes over our daughter’s mouth. It feels very comfortable and conforms nicely to her small face. The other end holds the inhaler in an upright position.
We must press down on the top of the inhaler to release the medicine into the tube. Juliana will then breathe the medicine in comfortably. There is a little blue plastic piece within the tube that we must watch. When the blue piece goes back and forth 15 times, we can remove the tube from Juliana’s face. The blue piece moves in time with her breathing.
The first medicine our doctor prescribed is Ventoline Salbutamol at 100 micogrammes per dose. This is to be used 4 to 6 times a day if she is really having trouble breathing.
The second inhaler the doctor prescribed Juliana is Bécotide Dipropionate de Beclometasone at 250 microgrammes per dose. We are supposed to use this inhaler on her twice a day as the problem persists.
The pharmacist told my husband that infants usually like the inhaler. He is right in a way. Juliana loves to play with the inhaler, but she does not enjoy it sitting on her face for 15 breathes. If she is crying, it takes even longer for us to get to 15. Sometimes she will cooperate, especially when I play with her for a while beforehand – removing and putting it on her face quickly will sometimes earn me smiles and giggles.
The pharmacist recommended that we start that evening with Ventoline and then switch to Bécotide the next morning. Then whenever she needs something stronger, give her a dose of Ventoline.
Juliana has been getting better since we started it, but it is hard to say if it is due to the inhaler. She started on the inhaler and kiné at the same time – so I cannot pinpoint which seems to be the most effective. After using the inhaler, I do not see a noticeable difference right away. I just hope that my little angel starts feeling better soon!
Analee says
our baby had the same problem too. We had to do kineo (I still can’t say the whole word!) and an inhaler. For me, the inhaler didn’t work so much. Kineo was okay, especially before baby started being able to cough and spit up the bad stuff on his own.
French Mamma says
I did not even know the full name until I asked my husband when I was writing this article. We just call it kiné for short (sounds like keen-ay).
I also did not see a noticeable difference with the inhaler – I hope it actually did something and I did not put my daughter through this for nothing. I am very happy with the kiné. I think we could have used a couple more sessions, she is still a bit congested.