All You Need To Know Children Suctioning

Your children may need suctioning or back tapping when experiencing conditions like tracheitis or bronchitis. It is important to clear mucus to keep smooth breathing. Suctioning is an effective treatment to clear airway secretions and improve breathing. Sometimes, can adopt back tapping. This article will walk you through mucus observation, suctioning steps, and precautions. 
 
 

Suctioning

The mucus is secreted by the trachea, bronchi, and alveoli. Normally, children don't cough up mucus or only do so in small amounts. When a child has bronchitis or tracheitis, mucus secretion increases, which will lead to color and consistency changes, such as becoming yellow or green, which means a bacterial infection. Suctioning is a way to help clear children's airways, reducing breathing difficulty and coughing. 

When Child Need Suctioning?

If you find the following 4 signs, you should do suctioning for the child:

1. Breathing difficulty

If excessive or thick mucus makes breathing difficult, suctioning may be needed.

2. Nasal congestion

If mucus blocks the nose, it might affect feeding or breastfeeding, so clearing the nasal passages helps.

3. Vomiting or spitting up milk

After vomiting or spitting up, mucus may accumulate in the airways. Suctioning can help clear it and ease breathing.

4. Frequent coughing

If the child coughs a lot due to excessive mucus, suctioning is a great wat to relieve symptoms.

While suctioning can improve breathing, overdoing it may cause nasal dryness, pain, or even bleeding. Therefore, it's recommended to limit suctioning to 2 to 3 times a day. 

Suctioning Steps

When suctioning a child, it's essential to follow a sterile procedure to avoid infection or injury. Here are the basic steps: 

Preparation

1. Wash hands and wear a mask.

2. Prepare the necessary suctioning tools: suction catheter, suction machine, gloves, saline, etc.

3. Check the suction machine to ensure the catheter is intact, connections are correct, and the suction pressure is appropriate.

Assess the child's condition

1. Observe the child's skin color and breathing to determine if suctioning is needed.

2. Listen to lung sounds and assess where mucus is located. 

Back tapping to loosen mucus

Before suctioning, gently tap the child's back to help loosen mucus. Tap in an upward, inward motion, being gentle. The best time for back tapping is usually early morning, right after the child wakes up when mucus has accumulated. 

Suctioning

1. Lay the child down with their head tilted to one side to avoid accidental aspiration.

2. Use a suction catheter and pressure appropriate for the child's age.

3. Insert the catheter at a depth based on the distance from the nose tip to the earlobe. Keep the catheter rotating during insertion to avoid injuring the nasal passages or airway.

4. Limit each suctioning session to 15 seconds, and observe the mucus for color and consistency to ensure no discomfort for the child.  

Post-suction care

1. After suctioning, rinse the catheter with saline and clean the child's mouth and nose.

2. Let the child rest in a comfortable position and calm them down.

Precautions During Suctioning

1. Sterile technique: Always maintain a sterile technique during suctioning to avoid infections.

2. Gentle approach: Be gentle when suctioning to prevent damage to the child's mucous membranes.

3. Watch for reactions: Continuously monitor the child's skin color, breathing, and the appearance of mucus. If anything seems abnormal, stop immediately.

4. Limit suctioning time: Each suction session should not exceed 15 seconds to prevent breathing pauses.

5. Nebulization therapy: For thick mucus, nebulizing before suctioning can help loosen it and improve suction effectiveness.

6. Single-use equipment: Each suction catheter should be used only once to prevent cross-contamination.  

Choosing the Right Suction Catheter

When it comes to children, selecting the right suction catheter is crucial. Bever Medical offers medical-grade suction catheters designed specifically for children, made from materials like PVC and silicone. These catheters are not only safe and toxin-free but also come with several benefits:

High quality: Made from medical-grade PVC and silicone, safe for infants, avoiding irritation to their airways.

Soft material: Soft catheter can minimize harm to the nasal passages and airways, and reduce discomfort.

Comfort: Comfort catheters can make children enjoy a good mood. Available in different sizes, ensuring comfort and flexibility for children of various ages.

Single-use: These catheters are disposable to prevent cross-infection, ensuring hygiene and safety.  

Conclusion

Children need to be paid more attention from parents and medical staff. By observing the condition of sputum and how to master the suction steps, breathing difficulties can be alleviated. Importantly, must follow strict procedures to ensure safety and hygiene when suctioning. In addition, it is also crucial to understand the best time for suction. Bever Medical supplies medical-grade suction catheters providing a safe and reliable option for pediatric suction. OE services are available here, if you planing to purchase, welcome to visit our website to learn more.