As a parent, you want to make sure that your child is happy and healthy at all times. However, when your child suffers from a respiratory condition, such as asthma or allergies, you want to provide them with the best products available in the market.
One of the most effective ways to manage the symptoms of respiratory conditions and treat asthma attacks is to use a nebulizer. Continue reading to learn what are the best nebulizers to improve your child’s breathing.
What Is a Nebulizer?
A nebulizer machine is a medical device that turns liquid medicine into a fine mist that can be easily inhaled into the lungs. It is an effective way to deliver medication directly to the respiratory system, making it a popular treatment option for respiratory conditions in both children and adults.
Pediatric nebulizer systems are specifically designed to make treatment time easier on children and parents by coming in fun, child-friendly designs and being quieter. This makes children calmer when receiving their breathing treatment.
Best Nebulizers for Kids
When it comes to nebulizers for children, there are several models available on the market that can suit the needs of your little ones. For 2024, these are some of the best models you can find:
John Bunn Neb-U-Tyke Pediatric Nebulizer Compressor - Speedcar model
This pediatric nebulizer is ideal for the asthma treatment of any child who loves cars and speed. It’s kid-friendly design creates a calming sensation for your child each time they are about to use it.
John Bunn Neb-U-Tyke Pediatric Nebulizer Compressor - Train model
The Neb-U-Tyke Pediatric Nebulizer Compressor features a bright, kid-friendly design that provides an effective aerosol treatment option for kids. The interactive stickers on the Neb-U-Tyke pediatric nebulizer compressor allow patients to personalize it to make it their own.
Drive Medical’s Fish Pediatric Compressor Nebulizer
The Fish Pediatric Compressor Nebulizer by Drive Medical combines fun and functionality for children's respiratory therapy. With its cute clown fish design, it makes nebulizer treatments more enjoyable.
This pediatric compressor nebulizer provides medical-grade aerosol treatments for lung disease symptoms. It supports medicated aerosol treatments for common lung diseases like asthma, COPD, and cystic fibrosis. It's easy to use and includes a complete pediatric nebulizer kit with disposable nebulizer, mouthpiece, pediatric aerosol face mask, carry bag, replacement filters, and instructions.
Dynarex Pediatric Compressor Nebulizer
The Dynarex Pediatric Compressor Nebulizer comes in different child-friendly designs to ease children into treatment. The Small Volume Nebulizers (SVN) ensure quiet operation, and they include two masks suitable for infants and children, catering to a diverse range of users.
Sunset Basketball Pediatric Compressor Nebulizer
The Sunset Basketball Pediatric Compressor Nebulizer is a reliable and enjoyable solution for kids with respiratory conditions. This kid-friendly nebulizer provides effective treatment in a fun package for home and school use. Durable and affordable, it makes healing a playful experience.
Sunset Sunny The Bear Pediatric Compressor Nebulizer
The Sunset Sunny the Bear Pediatric Compressor Nebulizer is a reliable and enjoyable solution for children with respiratory conditions like asthma. This kid-friendly nebulizer delivers effective treatment with its playful design, making it less intimidating for young users.
Its durable construction ensures long-lasting use, and its portable design allows for convenient use at home or on the go. Give your child the gift of effective respiratory therapy with the affordable and adorable Sunset Sunny the Bear Nebulizer.
How does a nebulizer work?
Healthcare professionals usually recommend nebulizers to deliver breathing medication to young children. Even though most of the liquid medications also come in inhaler form, inhalers can be challenging to use for young children, because they would need to coordinate breathing in and pressing down on the inhaler at the same time.
Since nebulizers work by continuously delivering the medication in a mist form, no coordination or special technique is required to use it properly.
How to Choose a Nebulizer for Kids
Choosing the ideal nebulizer for your child can be overwhelming, especially if you are new to using these types of devices. These are some of the most important facts you need to consider when choosing a nebulizer that your child can feel comfortable with:
Appearance
Children don’t particularly enjoy the idea of using a strange-looking machine. A nebulizer with a child-friendly appearance is more likely to appeal to kids. For example, there are nebulizers shaped as cars, toys, and animals.
These make the machine less scary from the perspective of a child. This way, they will be more likely to use the nebulizer and continue their treatment on time.
Noise Level
Nebulizers can be loud and scary for some children, so you should look for a nebulizer with a low noise level to help your child feel more comfortable during their treatment.
Quality
You should always look for nebulizers made from durable and child-safe materials that can withstand regular use. You should also make sure that the nebulizer comes with a warranty to ensure that you can get it repaired or replaced, if needed.
Portability
If your child needs to use their nebulizer regularly, or if you are constantly traveling or doing outdoor activities with your children, consider getting a portable nebulizer with rechargeable batteries that can easily be carried around.
Insurance
You can check with your insurance providers to find out if they cover nebulizers and what types of nebulizers they cover. This can help you determine which nebulizer is the most affordable for you and your family.
The cost of a nebulizer can range anywhere from $50 to $200 without insurance. As such, if insurance coverage is possible, it is always a good idea to opt for it.
What Are the Signs Your Infant Needs a Nebulizer?
It can be challenging to determine which children need a nebulizer, especially if they are too young to communicate their symptoms. If you suspect your child may be suffering from a respiratory condition, you should take them to a pediatrician to get a definitive diagnosis and medical advice on whether they need a nebulizer.
The most common uses for nebulizers in children are:
Asthma
Asthma is a common respiratory condition in children that can cause wheezing, shortness of breath, and coughing. Nebulizers are specially useful to relieve symptoms during acute asthma attacks, or for daily use to prevent asthma attacks, as indicated by your child’s pediatrician.
Bronchitis
Bronchitis is an acute inflammation of the lower airway, causing symptoms similar to an asthma attack, and fever. Nebulizers help treat bronchitis by delivering medication directly to the lungs, reducing inflammation and improving breathing.
COPD
Pediatric Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a rare long-term respiratory disease characterized by permanent changes in lung architecture that result in breathing difficulties. Nebulizers are a cornerstone of the management of COPD symptoms.
Pneumonia
Pneumonia is an infection of the lower airway that causes inflammation and fluid buildup in the lungs. If the fluid buildup results in airway obstruction, a nebulizer can be useful to improve symptoms and decrease recovery time.
Allergies
Allergies result in a range of respiratory symptoms that can disrupt sleep and decrease your child’s quality of life. Nebulizers are a great way to clear sinuses of pollutants we inhale throughout the day and improve allergy symptoms.
How to Use a Nebulizer
Using a nebulizer for the first time can seem like a daunting task, but it’s a straightforward process. However, before learning how to use a nebulizer, it’s important to understand the different parts of the machine you’ll be dealing with:
Compressor:
This is the main unit that powers the nebulizer and turns the liquid medication into a mist.
Nebulizer cup:
This is the space that holds the liquid medication that’s going to be used in the nebulizer treatment.
Mouthpiece or face mask:
This is the part that’s placed in the child’s face that delivers the treatment to be inhaled. Face masks are usually used for children under six years of age, and mouthpieces can be used by older children.
Step by step on how to use a nebulizer for children
Now that you know what the different parts of a nebulizer are, these are the steps you should follow when using one:
- 1. Wash your hands thoroughly to prevent the contamination of the nebulizer system.
- 2, Attach the nebulizer cup to the compressor and connect the mouthpiece or mask to the machine.
- 3. Pour the prescribed medication into the nebulizer cup.
- 4. Place your child in a position that’s comfortable for them.
- 5. Place the mouthpiece or face mask over your child’s mouth and nose, make sure it fits properly and that there aren’t any leaks.
- 6. Turn on the nebulizer, and make sure that your child doesn’t take off the mask for the duration of the treatment, which is usually 15 minutes.
- 7. Once all the medication has been delivered, turn off the nebulizer, and clean every part of the machine according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Nebulizers are an effective way to manage some respiratory conditions in children, especially young children who have a hard time following instructions. Nebulizers specifically designed for children help keep your child at ease when receiving their nebulizer treatment by having a fun design and a low noise level.
At Sleeplay, you can find the best nebulizers for kids, as well as other medical devices for respiratory health.