Using a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine during the night will be a new experience for your child. You can prepare your child to use the CPAP machine through a gradual desensitization process.
We recommend a gradual, step-by-step approach that should start the day the equipment arrives and continue every day. By the day the titration study arrives, you should be well-prepared. If you are having trouble with any particular step, please contact us. We are here to help you with this process.
Densensitization procedure for infants and school-aged children
Daytime practice
Introducing the mask
- Place the mask (attached to the hose and one side of the cap) in position on your child's face while the air is turned on for 5 seconds.
- Place the mask (attached to the hose and one side of the cap) in position on your child's face while the air is turned on for 10 seconds.
- Place the mask (attached to the hose and one side of the cap) in position on your child's face while the air is turned on for 1 minute.
- Place the mask on your child's face and connect to the cap on both sides for 1 minute.
Turning on the air
- Place the mask (attached to the hose on both sides of the cap) on your child's face and turn on the air for 1 minute.
- Place the mask (attached to the hose on both sides of the cap) on your child's face and turn on the air for 1 minute.
Wearing the mask with airflow while lying down
- Have your child lie down on the bed or couch. Place the mask (attached to the hose and both sides of the cap) on your child's face for 5 minutes.
- Have your child lie down on the bed or couch. Place the mask (attached to the hose and both sides of the cap) on your child's face for 10 minutes.
- Have your child lie down on the bed or couch. Place the mask (attached to the hose and both sides of the cap) fon your child's face or 15 minutes.
Nighttime use
Adjusting to the sounds at night
- While your child is going through desensitization practice during the day, begin turning on the PAP machine at night without attaching it to your child so he can get used to the noise.
Making PAP part of your child's bedtime routine
- Add PAP to your child's bedtime routine. Have your child try to fall asleep after you place the mask (attached to the hose on both sides of the cap) on her face and the air is turned on for 15 minutes.
- Continue nightly until your child is able to fall asleep with PAP. If your child cannot fall asleep with PAP, do 15 minutes of practice and then wait until your child falls asleep to place PAP on.
- Continue daytime practice and bedtime practice until your child is able to fall asleep with PAP on and sleep with it the majority of the night. Replace PAP at night if it falls off or is removed.