Inhalers for Kids: Helping Your Child Breathe Easier

Helping your child manage asthma can feel overwhelming at first, but with the right tools and guidance, it becomes much easier. Inhalers are one of the most effective ways to treat and control asthma symptoms in children.

In this article, we’ll explain the different forms of asthma medication available for kids, what an inhaler spacer is, and how to use it correctly. We’ll also share tips for helping your child stay consistent with their inhaler use and maintaining their equipment.

At Bootin and Savrick Pediatric Associates in Houston, Texas, our board-certified pediatricians have experience treating children with asthma and helping families create effective, easy-to-follow care plans. If your child has asthma or is struggling with asthma symptoms, schedule an appointment today to learn more about treatment options and how to help your child breathe easier.

What Are the Different Forms of Asthma Medication for Kids?

Asthma is a chronic condition that affects the airways in your child’s lungs, making it difficult for air to move in and out. The right asthma medicine helps open up these airways and reduce inflammation, allowing your child to breathe comfortably and prevent symptoms like coughing, wheezing, and chest tightness.

Asthma medications for children generally fall into two main categories: quick-relief medicines and controller medicines.

Quick-relief inhalers (rescue inhalers): These metered dose inhalers are used during an asthma attack to quickly open up the airways. They deliver medication that relaxes the muscles around the airways, allowing your child to take a deep breath and ease their breathing.
Controller inhalers: These are used daily to prevent symptoms and reduce airway inflammation. Controller inhalers often contain inhaled corticosteroids, which are anti-inflammatory medications that keep asthma under control over time.

Your child’s doctor will prescribe the right combination of inhaler devices and asthma medicine based on their age, asthma severity, and specific triggers that may cause or worsen symptoms.

What is a Spacer?

For many children—especially younger kids—using a metered dose inhaler correctly can be challenging. A spacer, also known as an inhaler spacer or holding chamber, helps make the process easier and more effective.

A spacer is a plastic tube that attaches to the inhaler’s mouthpiece. When your child presses the inhaler, the liquid medication is released into the spacer, allowing your child to breathe it in more slowly and evenly. This ensures that more medicine reaches the lungs instead of being lost in the mouth or throat.

For very young children, a mask can be attached to the spacer so the medicine can be inhaled comfortably, even if your child cannot seal their lips tightly around the mouthpiece. The goal is to make inhaling asthma medication as easy and stress-free as possible for your child.

How Do You Use a Spacer with an Inhaler?

Using an inhaler with a spacer takes only a few steps but makes a big difference in how well the medicine works. Follow these steps to make sure your child gets the full benefit of their treatment:

Shake the inhaler well before each use to mix the liquid medication properly.
Attach the inhaler upright to the spacer.
Have your child sit or stand up straight and exhale fully to empty their lungs.
Place the mouthpiece in their mouth (or the mask over their nose and mouth) and make sure they seal their lips tightly around it.
Press down on the inhaler to release one puff of medication into the spacer.
Have your child take a slow, deep breath through the mouth and hold it for about 10 seconds before exhaling. This allows the medicine to reach deep into the lungs.
If your child needs more than one puff, wait 30 seconds to a minute between doses.

If your child struggles to coordinate their breathing, a spacer is especially important—it helps ensure that the medicine reaches the lungs even if they cannot inhale perfectly on cue.

After each use, rinse the spacer and mask with warm water and allow them to air-dry completely. Keeping the equipment clean ensures the medicine continues to deliver effectively and prevents buildup that could block airflow.

How to Keep Up with Your Child's Inhalers and Spacers

Consistency is key when treating asthma. Using controller inhalers daily, even when your child feels fine, helps prevent symptoms and keeps asthma under control. Here are some tips for keeping up with your child’s inhalers and spacers:

Establish a routine: Try to have your child take their controller medicine at the same time each day—perhaps before school or bedtime.
Track doses: Many inhaler devices have counters that show how many puffs are left. Keep an eye on these to ensure you don’t run out of medicine unexpectedly.
Involve your child: Teaching your child why their inhaler is important helps them take ownership of their health. Explain that using their inhaler helps them stay active and enjoy life without worrying about an asthma attack.
Regular follow-ups: Schedule routine visits with your pediatrician to review your child’s asthma symptoms, check inhaler technique, and make adjustments to the treatment plan as needed.
Storage and care: Keep inhalers in a cool, dry place. Avoid extreme heat or cold, and periodically rinse the spacer with warm water to keep it clean.

By staying consistent and working closely with your doctor, you can help your child avoid flare-ups and feel comfortable managing their asthma.

Breathing Easier: Supporting Your Child’s Asthma Care

If your child has asthma or experiences recurring chest tightness, coughing, or wheezing, our team at Bootin and Savrick Pediatric Associates in Houston is here to help. Our board-certified pediatricians have experience treating children with asthma and can guide your family through the best ways to use an inhaler, manage triggers, and prevent symptoms.

Schedule an appointment today to discuss your child’s asthma treatment plan and learn how to keep their lungs strong and their breathing easy.

Medically reviewed by Debra Bootin, MD

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