How to Use MDIs & Spacers for Children
- 1). Instruct your child to shake the inhaler 3 to 4 times and remove the cap from the mouthpiece of the spacer.
- 2). Insert the inhaler into the other end of the spacer.
- 3). Instruct your child to take a breath and exhale away from the MDI mouthpiece.
- 4). Insert the MDI mouthpiece into your child's mouth, instructing him to make a seal around the mouthpiece with his lips.
- 5). Press the button at the top of the inhaler once to release a dose into the spacer.
- 6). Encourage your child to take a deep, slow breath and remove the spacer and inhaler. If she breathes in too fast, the device will make a whistling sound.
- 7). Have your child count to at least five, but encourage him to hold his breath to a count of 10 if he can manage it. It may help to instruct him to count "one elephant, two elephants..." silently.
- 8). Have her exhale slowly through the nose, not the mouth.
- 9). Wait 30 seconds before taking a second puff, but only if the pediatrician has prescribed two puffs at once.
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