03/06/2026
❄️ Winter is here in Australia, and with it comes the season of coughs, colds, and those pesky winter bugs. For many children, this can mean needing a little extra help with their breathing and lungs.
It’s also that time of year when our little ones show their true strength and suddenly transform into baby alligators 🐊 when it’s time to use a spacer! If you’ve ever tried to hold a mask near a determined toddler’s face, you’ll know exactly what I mean!
One piece of equipment that many families become familiar with is the spacer used with Ventolin. While it can be incredibly helpful, let’s be honest — most children aren’t huge fans of it. Having a mask placed over their face can feel strange, especially when they’re unwell, tired, or in hospital. Being woken up during the night for treatment isn’t much fun for anyone.
That’s one of the reasons I include spacer and mask demonstrations in my Fun Nurse sessions. By allowing children to see, touch, explore and play with medical equipment in a relaxed and fun environment, it helps make these experiences feel a little less scary if they ever need them in real life.
Many of the children I meet have already used a spacer themselves, while others recognise them from seeing a sibling, parent or friend use one. Giving them the opportunity to become familiar with the equipment through play can help build confidence and reduce anxiety around future healthcare experiences.
💙 A quick reminder: the Ventolin used during Fun Nurse sessions is a placebo training device only. No medication is ever used during any of my sessions.
My goal is simple: helping children feel confident, prepared and a little less worried about doctors, nurses, hospitals and medical equipment — one teddy bear at a time.