Health Topics

• It allows the air to move past the mucus in the airways
• The air helps move the mucus from the smaller airways to the larger airways
• Once the mucus is in the larger airways, it makes coughing the mucus out easier

1. Have your child sit up straight.
2. Tilt your child's chin up slightly – this will help open his/her throat.
3. Have your child open his/her mouth.
4. Have your child take slightly deeper breaths than normal for 1 – 2 minutes.
5. Have your child take in a slow breath.
6. Have your child hold their breath for three seconds (this lets air get behind or below the mucus).
7. Blow out evenly.
1. Blow out a little longer than he/she normally would. 
2. Blow out until just before he/she feels the need to cough (remind your child to try NOT to cough). 
8. Repeat this process (steps 1-7) two more times. 
9. Have your child cough normally to get rid of mucus.

This could be repeated if necessary.  

When to do the Huff Cough:

• Any time a cough is needed 
• During and after any airway clearance

• Remember to keep your child's throat wide open when blowing out
• If you hear “wheezing” sounds, have him/ her to breathe out more softly
• Practice with small, medium and large breaths