How To Get A Toddler To Sit For Breathing Treatments

Toddlers squirm a lot and getting them to sit still for anything is a miracle. So, when you need to give your toddler breathing treatments you are probably stressed out about how to get them to sit still so they can get the medicine they need to breathe easier. Believe me, it won’t be easy to get your toddler to sit for breathing treatments without consistency and a plan. However, if you come up with a plan and follow through you will find your toddler is better prepared to deal with his breathing treatments.

Advance Notice

Toddlers don’t like for you to just spring something on them. They like to anticipate things and know what is going to happen. So, always tell your toddler that in 30 minutes they will have a breathing treatment and you need them to get all of their wiggles out first. Ask them to run, jump, and play so that when their breathing treatment comes around they will be more willing to sit still. Of course, if your toddler has extreme breathing issues this may not be an option. However, always tell them that their breathing treatment is coming up and you want them to be extra still so they can get back to what they were doing.

Movie

Toddlers love TV and movies. It’s a good idea to limit TV time for toddlers so that when you do let them watch it they are totally enthralled. Consider letting your toddler watch a movie during their breathing treatment, or part of a movie, that is continued each day during their treatment. They will come to think of their breathing treatments as a special time because they get to watch TV! This will only work if you do not allow your toddler to watch TV at any other time. They need to associate their breathing treatment with being able to watch TV.

Naptime

When your toddler starts getting sleepy you may consider giving them their breathing treatment. Since they are already tired, they are more likely to sit in your lap and be still. Read a book or two to them during their treatment and snuggle with them. Let them turn the pages and talk about the pictures.

Treats

Another option some parents use is to give their toddlers treats after a successful breathing treatment. You could tell your little one that after their breathing treatment they will receive a cookie if they are good. Then only give them a cookie if they truly behave. They will soon see that by sitting still during the treatment that they will receive a treat!

Posted in Toddler Time