Babies are susceptible to many of the same breathing problems as an adult. For some children, the risks are higher due to immature respiratory systems. The term "reactive airway disease" applies to childhood respiratory illnesses that include coughing, wheezing and labored breathing. Albuterol is a bronchodilator that helps control the muscles in the airway, so they relax and work more effectively. Determining if Albuterol is working for your baby requires you to monitor the symptoms and the effect of the medication during nebulizer treatments.
Step 1
Watch your child as he sleeps. Asthma and other chronic respiratory illnesses tend to worsen at night. The goal of repeated nebulizer treatments is to control breathing. A child who continues to have fits of coughing and labored breathing at night may not have effective medication.
Step 2
Monitor the baby's activity level. When you cannot breathe, the natural response is to sit still since activity increases your need for air. If your baby has problems breathing, her body may not be as active. She may tend to sit quietly and make little noise.
Step 3
Keep a log to record episodes. It is recommended that asthmatics keeps a log the helps them tract triggers. As a parent, you should monitor and log any episodes that occur for your baby. Things to write down include time, duration and any information that may be pertinent such as food eaten before the attack. An episode can be large or small and may include wheezing, rapid breathing, fits of coughing and difficulty making noise, such as crying. Noise arises when air passes over the vocal cords, no air equals no noise.
Step 4
Look at the baby during a treatment. Albuterol will have an immediate effect. Your baby's breathing should slow and become deeper. Watch the baby's chest as she inhales--it should rise smoothly, not jerk or stutter. Record the reactions of the medication in your log and the dosage of Albuterol utilized.
Step 5
Take the baby for frequent visits to the pediatrician. The baby's doctor is the best judge for the effectiveness of the medication. Keep a space in your log for questions you want to ask. Go over the log with the doctor and discuss whether there is improvement in symptoms.
Things You'll Need
- Log book
