Oxygen Concentrator Usage for Babies and Infants

Oxygen Therapy and Oxygen Concentrator Usage for Babies and Infants

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Sometimes babies require help in receiving more oxygen, so they can grow and thrive. Often times, a condition like this will only last for a few months, to the first few years of their life. A baby can be born with a heart or lung complication that makes it more difficult for them to bring in enough oxygen, or distribute it throughout their body the way it needs to be.

You might find it necessary to have to leave the house with your child, while he or she is using their oxygen therapy. In this case, the right portable oxygen concentrator might be what you need. Such a portable model would need to offer the right dosage setting, and not be too heavy for you to transport, along with your child.

The air around us only contains 21% oxygen. For someone who cannot inspire enough oxygen or someone with circulatory or cardiovascular problems, this won’t be enough to be able to get enough oxygen to the cells of the body. If a baby can’t get enough oxygen, the major organs will begin to suffer, and it would eventually lead to death.

While using medical grade oxygen therapy, the oxygen delivered would be filtered to a much higher purity, such as 90% or more. This higher purity ensures that the right amount of oxygen can be distributed throughout the body, even though the same amount of air is being breathed in.

Oxygen Methods for Babies

Babies who can breathe on their own have the options of using an oxygen tent or a nasal cannula with an oxygen concentrator set at a low dose. A CPAP machine might be necessary if they baby needs a little help with breathing on his or her own. CPAP stands for continuous positive air pressure, which means the air being pushed through gently helps to keep the airways open. You should never change the prescribed dosage for oxygen therapy, unless instructed by a doctor, because too much oxygen can actually be harmful.

If a baby needs oxygen therapy and can use up to .5 LPM equivalent of oxygen, there are some portable oxygen concentrators that offer a dose that won’t be too much for him or her. The Respironics SimplyGo will go as low as 0.5 LPM (liters per minute) of continuous flow oxygen, and 12 ml/min (milliliters per minute) of pulse dose oxygen. Continuous flow means the flow of oxygen never stops, while pulse dose is delivered in pulses.

The SimplyGo is a good example, because it weighs just 10 lbs, and is easy to carry around via a carry bag, which you can strap to the baby’s stroller. Other portable oxygen concentrators that are lightweight and offer a very small dose of oxygen, is the AirSep Focus, the AirSep Freestyle 3 and the Freestyle 5. All of these portable models offer very low doses, and are less than 5 lbs. You will need to get a prescription from your baby’s doctor before purchasing a portable oxygen concentrator for them.

Information on this page is for reference and educational purposes only. For more information talk to your doctor or primary care provider.

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Scott joined American Medical Sales and Rentals in 2008 as a Web Manager and Content Writer. He is a writer and designer. He is extensively trained on oxygen therapy products from leading manufacturers such as Inogen, Respironics, Chart, Invacare, ResMed and more.

Scott works closely with respiratory therapists and oxygen specialists to educate the community about oxygen therapy products, COPD, asthma and lung diseases. He writes weekly columns and is passionate about educating the community on oxygen therapy and respiratory issues.

About Scott Ridl:

Scott joined American Medical Sales and Rentals in 2008 as a Web Manager and Content Writer. He is a writer and designer. He is extensively trained on oxygen therapy products from leading manufacturers such as Inogen, Respironics, Chart, Invacare, ResMed and more. Scott works closely with respiratory therapists and oxygen specialists to educate the community about oxygen therapy products, COPD, asthma and lung diseases. He writes weekly columns and is passionate about educating the community on oxygen therapy and respiratory issues.

12 thoughts on “Oxygen Therapy and Oxygen Concentrator Usage for Babies and Infants

  1. I am looking for a portable concentrator for a 4 year old that has a rare lung disease that is very active and would love to be more able to play with his friends and go places with a portable concentrator can you please send me information or give me a call my number is 405-473-1112 my name is Shelly Hahn please help me be able to help this child indoor and more flexible lifestyle thank you and God bless

    • Thank you for your message, Shelly. I have passed along your information to one of our Oxygen Specialists who will be reaching out shortly regarding your request. If you’d like more immediate assistance you’re welcome to contact us directly via 877-774-9271 or Sales@amsrco.com.

  2. Hi I’m Maria, I was hoping you could help me out my daughter is 23 months and requires oxygen 24/7 I’m trying to find a portable O2 concentrator. Please I hope you can help.

  3. Hello. My son was born three months early and he is now five months old but he will be on 28% oxygen for maybe less than a year and he has a tracheostomy which isn’t permanent either. We will be discharged from the hospital soon and will go home with an oxygen tank. I was wondering if he would benefit from having an oxygen concentrator even if it’s just for a few months?

    • Portable oxygen concentrators are lightweight, battery-powered, and make their own oxygen. You won’t require refills and there’d be no recurring payments. Our Oxygen Specialists would be happy to understand your requirements and advise the way forward. Please give us a call at 877-644-4581.

  4. Hi my grandson has a home concentrator but his folks have to lug an O2 bottle for Dr appt. Can a 1 year old on a ventilator at 1 liter per minute use Simply Go?

    • Our Oxygen Specialists would be happy to understand your requirements and advise the way forward. Please give us a call at (877) 644-4581.
      PS: Yes, SimplyGo can support 1LPM continuous oxygen.

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