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Bronchiolitis: we start by blowing our baby’s nose properly
It is essential to blow your baby’s nose well because, often, the nasal congestion is not completely evacuated.
In case of bronchiolitis, it is advisable to blow the nose at least 3 times a day, and as much as he needs during the day. A benchmark to know when to blow your nose: you must wait for the nose to run. If the blowing is essential for the cure, it is better not to abuse it so as not to irritate the mucous membranes. It is also best to blow your baby’s nose before meals.
A nasal spray of seawater is very suitable in case of infection. Place the bomb horizontally in order to direct it towards the nasal cavity. Then, the child must close his mouth because he does not yet have the reflex to evacuate through the nose. To do this, gently press under the chin to block the jaw – be careful not to block the breathing – and block one nostril. The nasal discharge will occur naturally. Well done, the blowing does not bother the child and does not cause him any pain.
The doctor will advise you on the blowing method to follow. For a better understanding, do not hesitate to ask him for a scenario. Thus, it can show you the gesture directly on your baby, then make you reproduce it.
Sold in supermarkets and pharmacies, the baby nose has long appeared to be the miracle solution to easily blow your child’s nose. However, some models are dangerous because they allow contamination of bronchiolitis during blowing. Now, a foam system prevents contamination, but the effectiveness of the new devices is questioned. Electric baby nose cleaners are a good alternative if parents are afraid of blowing their child’s nose in the traditional way, or if they are unfamiliar with the method.
Bronchiolitis in babies: the right actions
First, make sure to:
— baby’s sleep environment. It is recommended to lie down on his back, slightly elevated with the help of a cushion, for example. Thus, his breathing, hampered by secretions, will be facilitated.
– ventilate the room well. C‘is also very important in order to renew the ambient air. Avoid smoking in the presence of or near toddlers, exposure to passive smoking only worsens the condition of their bronchi.
— hydrate regularly her child, as occasional vomiting and somewhat disturbed nutrition can cause dehydration.
After having received these few gestures, the child is still fragile and likely to catch bronchiolitis again, very soon after having had it, especially in babies between 3 and 12 months. This is why it is essential to respect the hygiene instructions allowing to limit the contamination, among which wash your hands regularly.
Bronchiolitis: respiratory physiotherapy is no longer recommended by the HAS
Traditional respiratory physiotherapy techniques such as clapping or vibration for example are contraindicated. The technique of increased expiratory flow (AFE) is not effective in the management of infants hospitalized with acute bronchiolitis. As it has not been proven to be effective for forms of bronchiolitis treated on an outpatient basis either, it is therefore not recommended. However, the HAS (Haute Autorité de santé) and the CNPP (National Professional Pediatric Council) stress the need to continue research and conduct studies to measure the impact of this technique, in particular on the use of hospitalizations.