What is coughing up mucus to clear your child's lungs?
Coughing up mucus can help to clear your child's lungs. Here are three ways to help.
- Postural drainage uses certain body positions to help clear different parts of the lungs.
- Chest and back percussion uses clapping (percussing) with a cupped hand, deep breathing, and then vibration to loosen and move mucus.
- Huffing and coughing. Huffing helps move mucus up in the lungs. Coughing moves it out.
Doing these things may help keep your child's lungs working well. It can help your child avoid problems from mucus buildup.
Draining mucus from the lungs every day can help keep the lungs clear. Keep doing the treatment even if you don't notice your child's lungs working better right away. Postural drainage, chest percussion and vibration, and huffing and coughing can work well when used regularly.
How do you do chest percussion?
Chest percussion means that you lightly clap your chest and back. The clapping loosens the mucus in your lungs.
- Cup your hand, and lightly clap your chest and back.
- Ask your doctor where the best spots are to clap. Avoid your spine and breastbone.
- It may be easier to have someone do the clapping for you.
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