Both DS1 (6) and DS2 (nearly 4) have asthma. DS2 was diagnosed at 13 months, he has had four doses of steroids so far this year. He was on ventolin from 13 months, fairly regularly. Fortunately the doctors and I have been able to identify what sets off his asthma (illness, certain pollens, hayfever etc). He is fairly easy to manage now that we have identified what the general causes are. He was a full termer, but has had 4 bouts of croup in his little life! He doesn't have an audible wheeze when he has asthma.

DS1 gets asthma associated with chest infections and bronchiolitis - he was also 6w prem, had pneumonia at 8 months and was hospitalised. He regularly gets bronchiolitis, and has an audible wheeze associated with asthma.

So each child is different - I'm also an asthmatic, so know how to administer the medication and what to look out for.

Now just to convince XH that he should abide by the doctor's recommendations and give ventolin when the doctor prescribes it - not just when XH thinks he might need it... Why would you follow a doctor's orders when you used to be a nurse??!?!?!?